Four Stages of Life in Hinduism - Research Paper Example

?Hinduism: Four Stages Life Introduction Hinduism has often been considered as a predominant and indigenous religion in Indian subcontinent that keeps its multifaceted characteristics through various principles. Hinduism is formed and developed through a group of principles or practices, known as ‘Sanatan Dharma’ which means the eternal religion or eternal law. Hindu beliefs and ideologies instruct that every soul is trapped in a cycle of birth, death and life after death. The cycle is known as ‘samsara’ and each man tries to get out of this cycle through the liberation of soul. It is significant to note that the ultimate result of good and bad deeds of a person’s life known as ‘karma’ which control the length of each cycle. Walter Hazen clearly observes that “Hindus believe that life is concerned with a series of duties” (Hazen, 2003, p.8). Therefore, Hinduism offers four stages of life based on karma which enhances self realization or ‘Moksha.’ These duties or karma always require every Hindu to be honest, virtuous and good worker in his or her life time. As per the principles or practices in Hinduism, life is believed to encompass four different stages. These four stages known as ‘ashrams’ and the followers of Hinduism strictly believe that every human being should ideally pass through these four stages. The first Ashram is called ‘Bramacharya’ which is the prime stage in every person’s life, especially from birth to youth. The second ‘ashrama’ or stage is known as ‘Grihasta’ or the status of a householder. ‘Vanaprastha’ or the forest retirement stage is the third one and in this stage a man ends his life as a house holder. He refuses all physical, sexual, and material pleasures. At this juncture he retires from social and professional life and he leaves his home (Das, 2012). The final stage is ‘Sannyasa’ which offers the role of a forest dweller and this fourth stage changes a man to a devotee of God. At this point, he is free from all kinds of material burden like home, relations, responsibilities and material pleasures. The primary stage Brahmacharya is generally considered as the period of formal education in which students earn both spiritual and practical education from a guru. This is the period which requires desirable qualities and manners. At this time, a student is known as ‘brahmachari’ who prepares for future profession and for the prosperity of his family. The second stage is ‘Grihasta’ which promotes the qualities of a householder. In this stage, a man begins to lead married life. Here his responsibility is vested on looking after his family. The third stage ‘Vanaprastha’ is the most crucial stage in a man’s life. Here, a man finds the real purpose of his life and he should spend most of his time in praying and fasting. The above mentioned stages in human life provide ethical qualities for people through practicing variety of rituals. In his first stage, a Hindu should keep respect and devotion towards his guru. In addition, this period emphasises learning, practical knowledge, skills and habits. Mantras, religious doctrines meditations provide better physical as well spiritual health. The life of a ‘Sannyasi’ requires maximum attention for meditation and religious activities. In this stage, one should control his feelings and follow heavenly values in his life. The caste system in Hindu religion paved the way for social polarizations based on duties and that promotes controversies in Indian society. Historians have stated that four specific castes (or jatis) are described in the Dharmasastras and are based on four groups of social occupations: Priests (brahmins), Warriors/Rulers (ksatriyas), Artisans (vaisyas), and Servants (sudras) (Fieser, 2001). First three classes were enjoyed religious practices and worships. Lower class people in the fourth class faced severe segregation and refusal from social and religious life. Their life is comprised with menial jobs. Caste system in Hindu religion paved the way for social and religious polarisation among the society and these changes contributed undesirable results. Religious dominance of the first three castes helped them to keep social dominance towards the remaining one. Hindu teachings and principles were recorded in Vedas and Upanishads. Learning of Vedas and Upanishads was prescribed only for the members of the high class communities that include the first three castes. Therefore, Sudras, members of the forth class never allowed to follow the above mentioned religious practices. “Members of the first three castes are designated as twice-born (dvija), in the sense that their initiations into their castes are like second births (Fieser, 2001). Sudras were compelled to do slave duties and they never permitted to visit temples or worship Hindu Gods. It is difficult to find ethical qualities among the life of sudras. Because of the absence of education, social interaction, and religious practices, members of the lower class often considered as outsiders of the society. Historians have documented that like Hinduism, Buddhism had kept some principles to overcome earthly sufferings and gain ‘Moksha.’ Buddhism enriches four major truths like the existence of sorrow, the cause of suffering, the cessation of sorrow and the eightfold path which leads to the cessation of sorrows. Through practicing eightfold paths, one can conquer self will be free from lust (Wright & Mills, 2003). The noble eightfold path is generally considered as the roadmap of Buddhist living. According to Buddhist philosophy, lust is the cause of all miseries in earthly life. Right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration, right view and the right resolve are the noble eight fold paths (Kozak & Kozak, 2011, p.41). Followers of Buddhism strictly believe that practicing the above mentioned eightfold path endow with the energy and spiritual power to overcome material pleasures. Even though, Buddhist teachings are highly virtuous, common people may feel difficulties to follow these teachings in their day to day life. Cconclusion In the final assessment, it is evident that Hinduism considers life as four different stages based on one’s duty or karma. These stages introduce different life styles which provide ethical qualities for a person’s life. It offers strict discipline and ethical qualities for man to reach self realization or ‘Moksha’. Caste system paved the way for the formation of different classes among the Hindu community and the four stages are available to the first three classes. Members of the fourth classes were strictly prohibited from religious practices. Like Hinduism, Buddhism also gives religious principles and practices to overcome earthly sufferings. It is worth noticing that majority of the religious practices relate only to the members of high-class society and lower classes were always prevented from these activities. Works cited Das, S. (2012). The Four Ages of Man - The 4 Stages of Life in Hinduism. About.com Guide. Retrieved March 10, 2012, from http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/p/fourstages.htm. Fieser, J. (2001). Eastern philosophy: an introduction to the classical theories of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Utm.edu. Retrieved March 10, 2012, from http://www.utm.edu/staff/jfieser/vita/teaching/eastphil.htm. Hazen, W. (2003). Inside Hinduism. Lorenz Educational Press. Kozak, A., Kozak, A. (2011). The Everything Buddhism Book: A Complete Introduction to the History, Traditions, and Beliefs of Buddhism, Past and Present. 2nd edn. Everything Books. Wright, D., Mills, E. (2003). Manual of Buddhism. Kessinger Publishing. Read More