A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. M.Hin.

 www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com

or Bally 416-992-2487.

Question: Explain the doctrine of Karma and Rebirth according to the Vedas and their impact on the Upanishads.

Ans : As Hindus in today’s society, one of the first major challenges we face in dealing with or addressing this concept or topic; is to accept the fact there will be an issue in describing and explaining this doctrine to people, especially westerners, skeptics and people of other faiths. The philosophical or practical reality of Karma or rebirth then, becomes a major topic of discussion, disagreement or contentious acceptance. Our aim should thus be to ensure that the acceptance of this doctrine and fact of Hinduism is achieved through education and knowledge sharing by us.

A common situation in which Hindus find themselves; has to do with the fact that although people may listen to us, they may not hear us simply because they do not agree with what they have heard or we told them what they do not want to hear. This is the case with many doctrines, concepts and ideals of Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma and largely in part due to the general lack of education or knowledge to which the ordinary Hindus, especially from the Caribbean area have been exposed too by our leaders and spiritual knowledge experts. Hinduism has been scrutinized for centuries because of its ideals, goals and doctrines by non believers and in very many cases even by its own Hindus and believers. The best way I would attempt to personally describe this karma and rebirth is by using the cause and effect principle which has been embraced as follows: “If you were born , then you are certainly going to die”. However when we die, what happens? Some other faiths believe and preach the doctrines of “resurrection” and being “born again”, which is no different from rebirth or reincarnation based on karmic actions, even though they disagree with us.

These two ideals of karma and rebirth go hand in hand and in context therefore must be explained as such. Karma can be compared to the cause a situation or action in our past life , while rebirth can be looked at the effects of those actions committed and now unfolding in present life . It is the belief of the Hindu person, that based on a person’s karma and karmic actions, their rebirth process or future life situation is documented with the supreme maker way ahead of their next birth. This process of death, dying and rebirth is therefore repeated where we obtain a human body until two eventual outcomes: Being born into a different living species or if we attain “ Moksha or Final liberation” and merge with the Supreme Lord , in the heavenly region as we believe it to be. Another example of demonstrating Karma and rebirth especially to other faiths; as well as to our own Hindus, is to pay attention to the effects of earthly disasters with no “logical” explanation for the victims who end up suffering or even dying as a result, ex. of a disaster like Tsunami, or trying to understand why a baby would die after birth, a few days or a few weeks old, or why a person’s life suddenly changes with no medical explanations etc.

There are some experiences in life by many people, where even science and medicine cannot justify an explanation, taking them from “death bed” to a healthy recovery, even baffling the best doctors and medical experts. These experiences are without doubt attributed to Karma which eventually leads to rebirth or the attainment of salvation and final Moksha. It is there left upon us as individuals to live a good life with the presence of Vedic philosophy and some level of spirituality in it, so we can help set the Karmic rewards for our next life. It is also in our hands to deal with the current birth resulting in this human body and taking the appropriate actions, according to the Vedas and Upanishads, where we can help reduce the effects of our Karma and the destructive effects inflicted on us. Through puja, sacrifice, dedication to our Supreme Lord, dedicating our lives as best as we can to serving God, Society or man to seek the forgiveness, wisdom and blessings of the Almighty Lord, we can achieve the blessings of our Lord. Look at people around you; or your own life and you can formulate your own conclusion on the cause and effects of Karma, Rebirth and Karmic actions; as a Hindu through our beliefs from the Vedas.