On Hinduism

There is no eternal heaven or hell in Hinduism. Hell (naraka) and heaven (swarga) are a state of mind, brought about by our thoughts, and deeds. These states of mind result in a temporary astral orientation of the atman – naraka or swarga, wherefrom the next birth is determined.

The destiny of Hell or Heaven is NOT a permanent one in Hinduism.  The soul or jeeva moves through even these worlds, based on the past karmas.  When the results are exhausted, it moves on.  Sometimes coming back to a human form.

Thus, in Hinduism, if we do good deeds (punya), we are rewarded with a bout in swarga.  When the Credit Card balance runs out, we are kicked out. When too many sins (paapa) accumulated, we end up in naraka, where we are roasted like mirchi bajji (tempura).  But that is also temporary. 

The keeper of naraka is Yama Dharma Raaja, Lord of Justice, not a Satan of temptation or damnation.

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Other reading material: Do Hindus believe in heaven or hell?

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand: Heaven in Hinduism, is it the same as in Christianity?, Hell in Hinduism, is it the same as in Christianity?, What is Sin, 

Contributor: Madhu Kopalle

Location of this post (13b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/do-hindus-believe-in-heaven-or-hell/

According to Biblical scholar Bart Ehrmann, Jesus didn’t preach about Heaven or Hell. These are later interpolations and misunderstandings that are glorified in modern religious dialog.

Hindus do believe there is a “place of no-anxiety” (Vaikuntha), which is the highest realm and the home of Vishnu, the creator. This is the place of no-anxiety, as the name suggests, but we do not live there as our currently embodied selves. In the Hindu tradition, our current bodies are like clothing that we wear and discard, while our inner self, Atman, is the one that continues the onward journeys. Relationships made by this physical body are also considered, therefore, impermanent.

There are lower realms that correspond a little more closely with the modern Christian concept of heaven or hell, except we don’t have harps and virgins. These realms are also meant for enjoyment of the results of our actions (if good, you go to the higher realm, and if bad, well, no soup for you, and you go to the lower realm). But this isn’t permanent. When you have done your time, you can return back to this physical realm, and start counting up your deeds again.

Hindus are more likely to interpret Jesus’ teaching of the “Kingdom of God” (which he talked extensively about), as a reference to the heart filled with devotion (and not to heaven, as such). Hindus would agree that God lives in our hearts filled with love. And if you can find your way to your heart, you are in a place of no-anxiety, or heaven. 

Welcome home, to your own heart!

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Other reading material: 

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhilanand Heaven in Hinduism, is it the same as in Christianity?, Hell in Hinduism, is it the same as in Christianity?, Bart Ehrmann’s interview on NPR 

Contributor: Gaurav Rastogi

Location of this post (13d): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/is-heaven-in-hinduism-the-same-as-christianity/

Rest in Peace (RIP) is an Abrahamic concept, as per which the body waits or rests in a grave.  On Judgement Day, the body gets united with the soul and rises again. God will make judgement for who will go to heaven or eternal hell. 

Hindus believe in reincarnation of the departed soul to a new body and soul does not rest. Hindus have a concept that if the soul is trapped inside the earth, then it’s called as a Preta (a disturbed soul and in suffering). Suffering in Hell is better as it’s temporary, but not getting trapped here. Thus to tell RIP is a disrespect to the departed Hindu.

“Param Gati Mile” (may the soul attain moksha), “Om Sadagati” and “Om Shanti” are appropriate expressions when a Hindu passes away. 

Other reading material: Here is why saying ‘Rest in Peace’ is a disservice to the departed Hindu soul,

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Dilip Amin

Location of this post (14a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/is-rip-an-appropriate-expression-for-a-departed-hindu/

According to Hinduism, Yes!

Hinduism is deeply rooted in the concept of Karma and reincarnation. Destiny is defined as a predetermined course of events (in general or in an individual’s life) as planned by Divine will. Hindus believe that such a predetermined course is created by an individual through his or her actions or “karma” in one’s present life or past lives; as choosing good karma produces good effects on the actor, while choosing the bad karma produces bad effects in present or future lives.

Destiny therefore is the result of the past exercise of the actor’s choice. By choosing the actions in the past, an individual brings on the resultant destiny in this life. Similarly, by choosing good actions in the present, one can change the course of present life and in future reincarnations.

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Sri Aurobindo, wrote (Dec 16, 1936): “We ourselves are our own fate through our actions, but the fate created by us binds us; for what we have sown, we must reap in this life or another. Still we are creating our fate for the future even while undergoing old fate from the past in the present. That gives a meaning to our will and action…”.

In Mahabharata, destiny and karma are explained with examples of seeds: “Without seeds, fruits do not grow. Good seeds when sown yield good fruits. Bad seeds when sown yield weeds and bad fruits. If no seeds are sown, there are no fruits. Without exertion in this life, destiny is meaningless. One’s exertion now is like a tilled soil; the seeds are like destiny. The union of tilled soil and seeds, that is one’s present effort and destiny inside the seed, produces the harvest. 

He who exerts with initiative is his own best friend, he who relies solely on destiny is his own worst enemy.” [Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, The Hidden Forces of Life, Ch. 1 Life Through the Eyes of the Yogin, pp.13-14].

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Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Can Destiny be Changed

Contributor: Ashis Khan

Location of this post (14c): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/can-destiny-be-changed/

Hinduism does not teach ideas such as eternal Heaven or Hell. It sees life as a process of evolution where we grow spiritually over many lives. 

Behavior in a past life, combined with dharma (the duty you are born with) for this life, creates the lives we live in the present.

With each incarnation we get new lessons, based on what lessons we passed and failed in the last life. If you were an abusive person in a past life, your karma dictates you will be on the receiving end of abuse in this or future lives. Forgiving your abuser where appropriate, and asking for forgiveness for yourself, frees you from the karma. 

When an Atman persists in not learning lessons, abusing, not forgiving; a vicious cycle of birth and death is created until the Atman evolves and attains moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).

Other reading material: The Momentum of Karma

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: What is Good Action, Why I become Hindu, Transcending Karma, The Deeper Meaning of Dharma,  

Contributor: Swamini VishwaPratibha

Location of this page (15c): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/c-how-much-has-ones-past-life-had-an-impact-on-the-current-life/