Hinduism and Peace (HSC SSCE Studies of Religion): Revision Notes
Hinduism and Peace
Introduction
Hinduism is strongly associated with peace, exemplified through figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and teachings found in sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita. While Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana contain stories of warfare and conflict, peace and harmony remain central to Hindu philosophy.
The Hindu concept of peace extends beyond merely avoiding external conflict. It encompasses inner spiritual peace and promotes peaceful relationships with all living beings and the entire universe, including the earth, sky, plants and animals. This holistic view is referenced in Yajurveda 36:17, which calls for universal peace.
Hindu religious imagery can sometimes be misunderstood in relation to peace. For example, deities like Maa Kali (Mother Kali) are depicted holding weapons, which might suggest violence. However, these images are symbolic representations of multiple qualities. Each hand of a deity holds symbolic meaning: a lotus represents wisdom, a conch shell represents piousness, and a weapon represents the protection of righteousness and peace.
Despite these peaceful interpretations, some stories depict Kali expressing violence and rage, and historically some devotees (such as the thuggee cult) expressed devotion through violent acts.
The Hindu understanding of peace
The varna system and dharma
Varna: The concept commonly known as caste; the four varna form the basis of Hindu society.
In Hindu society, the varna system includes the Kshatriyas, the warrior class responsible for protecting society. The Bhagavad Gita outlines four methods of persuasion for the Kshatriyas to fulfil their protective duty:
- Sama: Gentle persuasion
- Daana: Giving gifts, negotiation, bribery
- Bheda: Creating division
- Danda: Sanctions, punishment, using force
This teaching suggests that Hinduism permits the use of force when confronting evil and injustice. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna urges the warrior Arjuna to fulfil his dharma according to his varna by engaging in the battle recorded in the Mahabharata. This illustrates that sometimes warfare can be justified when it aligns with one's duty.
Social and individual peace
The ultimate expression of social peace in Hinduism is harmony, cooperation and contentment within society. On an individual level, peace is achieved through moksha (or mukti), which means liberation from desire, craving and attachment. These three afflictions cause suffering in the present life, and freedom from them brings genuine peace.
Moksha (or Mukti): Release from the cycle of rebirth; reunification of the atman with Brahman, or the separation of consciousness from matter.
Samsara: The cycle of rebirth, or reincarnation.
When someone achieves moksha and gains freedom from samsara, they truly find peace. Peace in Hinduism encompasses balance, order, harmony, reciprocation and universal well-being, both internally and externally.
Internal peace is a state of mind achieved through practices such as meditation and yoga. Hindus generally strive to reach a state of being dedicated to the welfare of all sentient beings, known as loka-sangraha. Krishna repeatedly emphasises in the Bhagavad Gita that all actions should be dedicated to the welfare of others.
Ahimsa and the natural state of violence
Ahimsa: Non-violence.
Ten Commitments: Ten actions that have been developed to express Hindu ethical behaviour.
Hinduism contains the doctrine of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all aspects of the world. This doctrine is particularly cherished in Jainism, but it is also fundamental to Hindu thinking, as demonstrated by Mahatma Gandhi's use of the principle. Ahimsa is the first of the Ten Commitments in Hindu ethics.
However, Hinduism also recognises that violence is inherent in existence itself. The trimurti (the three main Hindu deities) embody a natural balance: Brahma creates, Lord Vishnu preserves what Brahma creates, and Lord Shiva transforms (destroys) everything that has been created. This illustrates the cyclical nature of all existence, involving both destruction and creation.
The goddess Kali represents time and change, often depicted killing demons. Her imagery includes:
- A garland of skulls (representing all our assumed egos)
- A skirt of human hands (representing all our worldly pursuits)
- A sword (wisdom)
- A noose (attachments binding us to the cycle of births and deaths)
- Drinking the blood of the demon Raktabija (representing endless desires)
While these images can be interpreted symbolically, some devotees have perceived them as justification for violent acts.
Peace in Hindu sacred writings
The great epics
Hindu sacred writings contain numerous accounts of warfare, particularly in the great epics. The Ramayana concludes with a war between Lord Rama and Ravana to rescue Sita. The Mahabharata tells the story of conflict between cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
The Hollow Victory of Just War
Although the Pandavas' cause was just and Lord Krishna supported them to victory, the victory ultimately proved hollow when the Kauravas ascended to heaven. This outcome suggests that even just wars come at a significant cost.
The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, a section of the Mahabharata, is one of the most recognised Hindu texts and the specified sacred text for SSCE HSC Studies of Religion. It records a conversation between Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna on the eve of a great battle. The text emphasises the importance of performing one's duty without concern for consequences, delivered as Krishna's teaching to Arjuna. For Arjuna, his duty as a warrior requires him to engage in battle and fulfil his dharma.
Atman: The Hindu self, similar to the concept of the individual soul.
The Bhagavad Gita contains extensive teachings on both inner peace and world peace, directly related to Arjuna's reluctance to fight.
On war and duty
Key Teachings on Warfare and Duty:
- Just expressions of violence can be a path to achieving peace (Bhagavad Gita 2:37-38). Arjuna is instructed to treat happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, winning and defeat equally while performing his duty (2:38).
- Arjuna initially argues that war could be avoided and that his enemies are so consumed by greed and evil they will bring about their own destruction (1:37-39).
- Krishna responds that the evil people are already spiritually dead, and Arjuna is merely Krishna's instrument in their physical defeat (11:33).
- As a member of the Kshatriya varna, engaging in battle is Arjuna's duty and dharma (18:43).
On inner peace
Inner peace is a major theme throughout the Bhagavad Gita:
- The text discusses desire, pleasure and passion extensively (2:55-71). It concludes that "The man who forsakes all desires and abandons all pride of possessions and of self reaches the goal of peace supreme" (2:71).
- The causes of conflict are identified as desire and anger (3:37).
- Wisdom and knowledge provide pathways to achieving inner peace (4:38-39).
- Peace comes from knowing God (5:29).
- Chapter 8 explores seeking peace in Brahman (the ultimate reality), representing the highest form of inner peace. The chapter concludes that the yogi who understands the truth of light and darkness attains everlasting peace (8:28).
- Everlasting peace is achieved through total devotion, when the atman merges with Brahman: "When he knows me in truth he merges with Me" (18:55, also 11:55).
Other Hindu texts
The Mahabharata notes that humans are at war rather than peace because they are "slaves to lust and greed". When Brahma sends a goddess to destroy humanity, she requests instead that humans be allowed to destroy each other, showing the self-destructive nature of human conflict.
The Rig-Veda contains hymns and mantras invoked to bring courage, happiness, health, peace, prosperity, success and wisdom. The Artharva Veda explicitly calls for peace: "May not the din of frequent battle carnage arise, may the arrow not fly when the day of Indra has arrived!" (Artharva Veda 7.52.2).
Principal teachings about peace in Hinduism
Inner peace
Inner peace is the ultimate aim of every Hindu and can be achieved through various means:
- Devotion to the gods
- Meditation and prayer
- Following one's dharma
- Practising the virtues expressed in the Ten Commitments
- Yoga practice
Yoga is one of Hinduism's most practical tools for achieving inner peace. While yoga has become popular in Western countries, many Western practitioners focus only on its physical and emotional benefits, missing its deeper spiritual purpose.
As Hindus develop inner peace, this naturally extends into their relationships with others as part of their everyday dharma. However, ultimate peace is achieved when one experiences release from the cycle of rebirth through moksha.
World peace
World peace will ultimately be achieved when the current cycle of existence ends. The tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu is Kalki, who will appear at the end of Kali Yuga (the time of darkness, often identified with the present era) to usher in an era of peace and prosperity.
Achieving inner peace
Hindus believe in the Four Aims of life:
- Dharma: Duty
- Artha: Wealth
- Kama: Enjoyment
- Moksha: Release from earthly existence
Spiritual exercises and devotion in Hindu life lead to inner peace. Devotion to the gods, fulfilling dharma, striving towards the Four Aims, and practising yoga all contribute to achieving inner peace. Since inner peace is the central aim of every Hindu's existence, most Hindu practices are designed to help develop this quality.
The Six Great Enemies of Peace:
- Kama: Self-centred desire
- Krodha: Anger
- Moha: Delusion
- Mada: Arrogance or hubris
- Lobha: Selfishness
- Matsarya: Malicious envy
The spiritual life involves a constant battle against these afflictive emotions.
Hindu contributions to world peace
Hinduism has participated in promoting world peace through numerous organisations, often engaging in interfaith dialogue. The white stripe in the centre of the Indian flag symbolises peace.
In Australia
Australian Hindu organisations work to develop understanding of Hinduism and peaceful relationships:
- The Hindu Council of Australia trains chaplains to work in hospitals, runs workshops on yoga and meditation, and engages in social welfare and social justice activities.
- The Hindu Heritage Society promotes seva (selfless service), which means promoting peace and harmony.
Practical expressions of peace
Hindu texts promote hospitality and universal kinship. The Taittiriya Upanishad (Shikshavalli 1.11.2) teaches "atithidevo bhava" (revere the guest as God), while Maho Upanishad 6:71 proclaims "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the whole world is one family).
Providing Refuge as a Practical Expression of Peace
Following these teachings, Hindus have traditionally provided refuge to persecuted groups including:
- Jewish people
- Zoroastrians
- Syrian Christians
- Tibetan Buddhists
Providing food and shelter for those in need represents a practical expression of peace, commonly practised in Hindu temples and organisations.
Mahatma Gandhi and satyagraha
Satyagraha: Literally holding on to or grasping at the truth; sometimes referred to as soul force or truth force.
Hinduism made one of its greatest contributions to world peace through Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi, who taught and practised the doctrines of ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagraha (non-violent resistance). Gandhi and his followers played a significant role in establishing modern India. They envisioned their nation, once free from British colonial control, as an unaligned nation during the Cold War, refusing to side with either the United States or the Soviet bloc.
Gandhi is a remarkable example of an individual who profoundly impacted the world through peaceful means. He was largely successful in achieving Indian independence through peaceful civil disobedience and in reducing violence during the partition of India and Pakistan. However, Gandhi was deeply grieved when the partition occurred in 1947, as it led to ongoing conflict between the two nations that continues today.
Gandhi interpreted the concept of peace as non-violence in the form of struggle. He viewed the Mahabharata as an anti-war epic, noting that nearly all major characters die by the end. Gandhi saw this as an argument for the futility of war and the high price of revenge and violence. He provided a model and inspiration for other peace leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela.
Exam guidance
When answering questions about Hinduism and peace:
For 'outline' questions:
- Provide a clear, structured summary of key teachings
- Include specific references to the Bhagavad Gita
- Mention both inner peace and world peace aspects
For 'explain' questions:
- Show how different teachings connect to each other
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between dharma, varna and peace
- Explain the apparent contradiction between ahimsa and justified warfare
- Use Gandhi as a developed example
For 'analyse' or 'assess' questions:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Hindu approaches to peace
- Consider tensions between different Hindu teachings on violence
- Examine how Hindu beliefs translate into practical peacemaking
- Compare Gandhi's interpretation of Hindu texts with traditional interpretations
For 'discuss' questions:
- Present multiple perspectives on controversial issues
- Consider both the peaceful aspects of Hinduism and the depictions of violence
- Evaluate the significance of inner peace versus world peace in Hindu thought
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
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Inner peace is primary: Hinduism focuses first on individual spiritual development through moksha (liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth). Inner peace flows outward to create world peace.
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Ahimsa with exceptions: While non-violence (ahimsa) is a core principle and the first of the Ten Commitments, Hinduism recognises that violence may be necessary when fulfilling one's dharma, particularly for the warrior class (Kshatriyas).
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The Bhagavad Gita is central: This sacred text addresses both inner peace and world peace through Krishna's teachings to Arjuna about duty, desire, and devotion. Key messages include performing duty without attachment to outcomes, overcoming desire and anger, and seeking unity with Brahman.
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Peace is holistic: Hindu peace encompasses balance, harmony, and universal well-being - extending to all sentient beings and the entire universe, not just human society.
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Gandhi's lasting impact: Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated how Hindu principles of ahimsa and satyagraha (non-violent resistance) could be applied to achieve political and social change, inspiring global peace movements.