Charity Integral part of Vedic culture

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

Your argument is based on a cultural misrepresentation of Vedic

based Hinduism.

Actually, the very fact that the laws of Karma bind us all, is the

reason it is imperative that we must engage in acts of charity.

 

The modern Hindu culture is a descendent of the ancient Vedic

culture. This culture is based on 1)the Vedic scriptures, 2)God's

Incarnations or direct reps, 3)and the teachings of the Saints,

collectively. They set the standards in regards to correct behavior.

According to this standard, Charity is an integral part of life.

 

Because decline is a natural byproduct of the material universes,

incidences of fanaticism and oppression in the name of God, are

frequent and common in every religion. This is esp. true with

historical Christianity and historical Islam. This phenomenon happens

in all cultures, including Vedic culture.

 

In the Vedic tradition God Himself always restores the standards of

etiquette and behavior. As Krishna says," Whenever and where-ever

there is a decline of Dharma, He personally comes to rectify the

situation."

The scriptures have recorded that these avatars are always

charitable. The Vedic literatures and the behavior of every Saint are

abundant with acts of charity. This is the standard we must follow.

 

The Devotional standard of charity is supreme because it is not

charity based on superficial aloofness that simply maintains the

person in their poverty. It is actual charity, which elevates both

materially and spiritually.

 

Poverty and suffering are based on past misdeeds, and if confronted

by such a person, it is actually a test by God. If you fail to

provide any relief, then you get bad Karma, but if you help them, you

get good Karma. However the goal is to get karma-free by dedicating

your acts of charity to God. Krishna loves all His children. When

you help them, then He is pleased.

 

In fact, It may also be a karmic unfolding of a past event that has

the roles reversed. In other words, the past beggar is now the rich

man, the past rich man is now a beggar. The wise soul will break this

cycle by offering the beggar some Maha Prasad, (sacred foodstuffs).

 

In Vedic culture, even if an enemy asks for help, you must help them,

what to speak of a destitute beggar. A civilised person will never

turn anyone down.

 

If you are interested in the topic of charity in the Vedic/Hindu

context, you can research the stories of Rantideva/King Shibi, etc.

>From Bhagavat Purana.

Thank you,

Vrin Parker

Jaya Shri Krishna Bhagavan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

vediculture, "" <jajithkumar> wrote:

> I have always wondered how charity (i.e. helping others) can be

considered as

> a desirable practice under Hinduism. I understand that each one of

us are

> 'enjoying' or 'suffering' in our current life according to the

cumulative

> effect of our past karma (in our past lives). If I am beggar now,

it is only

> because my 'karma balance' is negative. If this is true, then

helping me out

> is definitely something against GOD's will. This means that

Hinduism per se

> discourages CHARITY, which is in stark contrast with other

religions were it

> is prescribed as noble and desirable.

>

> I would be happy to hear some good arguments against this.

>

>

>

> _______

>

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