Personal Virtues (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

What are the Personal Virtues?

• Hindus believe that they have a moral responsibility to act in the right way and to act in a way that helps everyone

• If a Hindu follows their personal dharma and the dharma within Hinduism, they can make the right choices that are morally correct

• Having Personal Virtues is part of following the right dharma

• Personal Virtues are qualities a Hindu should develop in themselves; linked to the three guiding principles; include ahimsa (non-harming), respect, empathy, self-control, humility and love

Ahimsa

• One of the key concepts in Hinduism is ahimsa, which means harmlessness or non-violence and is something that all Hindus should follow

• They show compassion for others by living their lives without inflicting pain on others

  • An example of how this could be done is by giving to charity to try and helping those in need

• By living their lives compassionately, it will help Hindus get closer to achieving the goal of moksha by gaining good karma

• For many Hindus, ahimsa is the best virtue and should be followed to ensure freedom from samsara

• Respect for others is also important because all living beings have a part of Brahman in them, known as the atman

• It is not only humans that should be treated well but all living creatures

  • Hindus see cows as a sacred animal that should be protected as well as respected

  • This is because they believe that a cow is vital to life as traditionally it could work the land and provide food in the form of butter and milk

• Hindus are encouraged to act with empathy, love and humility at all times so that they are doing the right thing

• They should try to show empathy through considering how others are feeling and how they would feel if they were in the same situation

• It is also important that Hindus act with humility and do not help others so that they can boast to others about it

  • For example, they should help somebody because the person needs help, not in order to feel good about themselves

  • Doing things with humility is one way for Hindus to gain good karma and therefore achieve moksha

  • This is because doing things for the wrong reason would give them bad karma and affect their chances of a better rebirth or achieving moksha

• Hindus also understand that controlling their minds and senses is an important way to control their thoughts and to stop themselves wanting material possessions

  • Hindus believe that spiritual thoughts are more important than material thoughts

  • If a Hindu has good control of their mind and senses, they will focus on what is important rather things that are not