What does Hinduism say about the origin of evil?
Most Hindus believe that God does not impose evil on people. Evil is a natural part of life 鈥 it happens because of the law of karma.
Karma means 鈥榓肠迟颈辞苍鈥 and is understood as the law of cause and effect.
What does Hinduism teach about evil and suffering?
鈥楨vil鈥 is the state when good is not present or is ignored. It also refers to the necessary 鈥榖ad鈥 things required for cosmic balance.
Hindus believe in karma or 鈥榠ntentional action鈥. Most Hindus believe that much of the suffering they endure is a result of their own actions. Previous motives and actions need to be made up for.
Many would add that this is not about 鈥榙eserving鈥 suffering, but about taking the opportunity to learn from it. It is about not repeating mistakes.
The response of those around the sufferer should always be compassion and kindness, otherwise they will suffer 鈥榖ad鈥 karmic consequences.
Sometimes things happen that do not seem to be the result of any action, eg natural disasters. Some Hindus explain these events as a 鈥榩lay of the gods鈥, which is part of a cosmic realm and beyond human understanding.
Others believe natural disasters are necessary for the balance of life on Earth. For example, the fertile soil that results from volcano eruptions and rivers in flood may help to grow crops for food.
There is also the potential for a person's atman (soul) to gain merit in helping the victims of natural disasters.
Some Hindus may also see certain natural disasters as the consequence of humanity鈥檚 poor treatment of the planet.
How do Hindus respond to evil and suffering?
Most Hindus respond to natural evil by trying to help those affected. Examples of natural evil include:
- death
- natural disasters
- pain
The Bhagavad Gita (sacred Hindu text) encourages readers to detach from the world and appreciate that everything is just part of an eternal cycle. The role of humans is to do as little harm and as much good as possible so that they may escape this cycle.
Liberation from rebirth is called 鈥榤辞办蝉丑补鈥. Humans only suffer because they cannot accept how limited their existence is in the scheme of things.
Most Hindus believe that moral evil is caused by other people. They feel that Hindus should act with kindness and non-violence to all living things. This belief is called 鈥榓丑颈尘蝉补鈥.
Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian activist who led his country's campaign for independence from British rule. Gandhi taught Hindus that it is their duty to help people who are suffering. He said:
... non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.
