RamaRaksha
Active Member
Moksha is earned, not given, and that is the essential difference between Moksha & Heaven. Apparently, according to some religions, one can beg for Gods mercy like a dog and then be allowed to taste the pleasures of heaven, one must lower oneself to a slave/subject/servant level, agree with everything god says, & beg for his mercy for the mistakes that he or she may have committed.
But one cant beg for Moksha, because Enlightenment is acquired thru knowledge. Hinduism, Buddhism are Teacher faiths, followers are Students of God and must actively pursue the knowledge being imparted by our Guru, God. Many times we are imparted great knowledge but it maybe only years later that we get the point. God is not going to force this knowledge on to Her Students; each student must acquire this knowledge in his own way and in his own time. It is important that throughout our life we examine our actions dispassionately, be introspective, and seek to change our behavior when necessary.
Lets take an example: Driving a car, you make a mistake and cause a horrible crash. You die, and if your goal is heaven, then you better get down on your knees and start begging. If he shows mercy, you can enjoy heaven; give no thought to the living victims of the crash that you caused who are forced to deal with the pain & suffering. Apparently god has no mercy for the living.
But if your goal is Moksha, you would do the same as if you were alive. If you were alive, you stop your car, attend to the injured & give whatever help that is necessary. Later, stand tall and take responsibility for your actions, humbly deal with the criticism and blame thrown at you, and work to make things better for the injured victims. This is where Karma & Rebirth comes in, once reborn, realize that you have been given a chance to set things right.
Another example would be of a student who turns in a bad paper, then begs his Teacher to pass him anyway. By taking mercy on this student is the Teacher doing the right thing? Is She helping the student? A good Teacher would never do that, if She does, She is not doing her job nor is She helping the student. A good student must never beg for pass marks. Accept the result, redouble his efforts and turn in a good paper the next time.
Enlightenment or Moksha, then, must be acquired or earned, never given nor begged for. It is the higher goal.
But one cant beg for Moksha, because Enlightenment is acquired thru knowledge. Hinduism, Buddhism are Teacher faiths, followers are Students of God and must actively pursue the knowledge being imparted by our Guru, God. Many times we are imparted great knowledge but it maybe only years later that we get the point. God is not going to force this knowledge on to Her Students; each student must acquire this knowledge in his own way and in his own time. It is important that throughout our life we examine our actions dispassionately, be introspective, and seek to change our behavior when necessary.
Lets take an example: Driving a car, you make a mistake and cause a horrible crash. You die, and if your goal is heaven, then you better get down on your knees and start begging. If he shows mercy, you can enjoy heaven; give no thought to the living victims of the crash that you caused who are forced to deal with the pain & suffering. Apparently god has no mercy for the living.
But if your goal is Moksha, you would do the same as if you were alive. If you were alive, you stop your car, attend to the injured & give whatever help that is necessary. Later, stand tall and take responsibility for your actions, humbly deal with the criticism and blame thrown at you, and work to make things better for the injured victims. This is where Karma & Rebirth comes in, once reborn, realize that you have been given a chance to set things right.
Another example would be of a student who turns in a bad paper, then begs his Teacher to pass him anyway. By taking mercy on this student is the Teacher doing the right thing? Is She helping the student? A good Teacher would never do that, if She does, She is not doing her job nor is She helping the student. A good student must never beg for pass marks. Accept the result, redouble his efforts and turn in a good paper the next time.
Enlightenment or Moksha, then, must be acquired or earned, never given nor begged for. It is the higher goal.