Ahimsa/Dharma/Just my thoughts on the matter (reincarnation, Christianity)

[Bishka]

I'm quoting from a book.

"The concept of ahimsa of doing not harm to other life, is an important principle..."

This sort of sounds like the Golden Rule to me. Yes, I know Hinduism had historically been around longer then Christianity, but am I right comparing the two?

"The basic guide for proper conduct lies in the law of one's caste, which means that in the Way of Works not everybody is requitred to live in the same way."

So, like I think I said before, if everyone's dharma(the way) is different(this includes all religions), why are we all telling each other what is right and what is wrong?

I agree with this statement that everyone has their own path in life and that's their way, and no one elses and no one can tell them whether it is right or wrong.

Just my thoughts, anyone else have anything to say?

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

This sort of sounds like the Golden Rule to me. Yes, I know Hinduism had historically been around longer then Christianity, but am I right comparing the two?

Not entirely. A reincarnate person might pop up as an animal in some rebirth charts (depending on their karmic history, of course); janeists include plants in their plotting. Furthermore, your worst enemy might be reborn as your brother/sister, some suggesting that karma tends to bind souls with karmic inequities by shaping their destinies around each other. The long term "balancing" seems more reconcilative (at best, and inevitably), less retributive.

"The basic guide for proper conduct lies in the law of one's caste, which means that in the Way of Works not everybody is requitred to live in the same way."

So, like I think I said before, if everyone's dharma(the way) is different(this includes all religions), why are we all telling each other what is right and what is wrong?

"caste" refers to one's social birthright, for the most part. At different points of history (like now), "untouchables" might be reconciled their lowly caste in future (human) lives by good behaviour; in this life, their limited in potential by their geneology. Not every subscriber to reincarnation and karma is obliged to respect social caste systems; some hindus have interpreted caste as more mutable within one life, making it an issue of character. It's one of those complications Ymirg refered to in another thread.