🌿 Shanti
Hindu prayers often end with the word shanti said three times. Many Hindus explain this as asking for peace within themselves, peace between people, and peace in the world around them. Peace starts inside a calm mind, then spreads outwards.
Hindu Beliefs about Peace and Conflict » Hindu Peacemaking, Justice and Forgiveness
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 1, 3.2 (Hinduism)
- What Hindus teach about peace: shanti, ahimsa and the atman in everyone
- Why justice, forgiveness and reconciliation matter for making peace
- How the Ramakrishna Mission works for peace today, and why
- How to answer exam questions on Hindu peacemaking
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Unlock This CourseHindu teachings about peace
The lesson Peace, Pacifism, Forgiveness and Reconciliation explained what peace is and how religions try to make it. In one line: peace is more than no fighting, it is safety, fairness and good relationships. This lesson looks at what Hindus teach, and what they do.
Key terms:
- Shanti: the Sanskrit word for peace, inside a person and between people.
- Kshama: forgiveness, listed in the Bhagavad Gita as a quality of a good person.
You already know two ideas that matter here. Ahimsa is not harming any living being, and the atman is the eternal self inside every living thing. Hindus use them as the base for their teaching on peace.
💚 Ahimsa
A well-known saying in the Mahabharata calls non-violence the highest duty. If hurting any living being is wrong, then violence between people is a serious wrong too. Ahimsa also covers thoughts and words, not only actions.
The atman in everyone
Hindus believe that every person has an atman. Many Hindus, such as those who follow Advaita, see the same divine Self in everyone, whatever their country, religion or background. Others see each atman as separate but equally precious to God. In Bhagavad Gita chapter 12, Krishna describes the person he loves as one who hates no being and is friendly and kind to all.
This gives a strong reason for peace. If the same divine Self is in me and in my enemy, or if both of us have an atman that matters to God, then harming my enemy harms something sacred. Many Hindus say that hatred comes from forgetting this. That is why a Hindu peacemaker tries to treat even an opponent with respect.
Justice, forgiveness and reconciliation
You learned in Peace, Pacifism, Forgiveness and Reconciliation what these three words mean. Here is how they fit Hindu teaching.
- Justice. Hindus believe in dharma, the right way to live, which includes treating people fairly. Peace without fairness does not last, because people who are treated unjustly stay angry. So making peace means putting wrongs right, not only stopping the fighting.
- Forgiveness. In Bhagavad Gita chapter 16, forgiveness (kshama) is listed with the qualities of a good person. Holding on to anger keeps conflict alive. Forgiving does not mean saying the wrong did not matter. It means letting go of the wish for revenge.
- Reconciliation. Hindus say that people who have been enemies can bring their relationship back. Because every person has an atman, no one is beyond forgiving or beyond change.
Hindus also believe in karma, that actions have results. Some say this is a reason to leave revenge alone: a wrongdoer will face the results of their own actions, and taking revenge only adds new bad karma. Other Hindus say this must not be used as an excuse to ignore injustice, because dharma asks people to protect the weak.
Worked example
Question: Why do many Hindus say forgiveness helps make peace?
Answer in steps: Hindus teach that forgiveness is a quality of a good person (point). Holding on to anger and revenge keeps a conflict going (development). Because every person has an atman, an enemy can change and be reconciled (development).
The work of Hindus for peace today: the Ramakrishna Mission
The spec asks you to know what Hindus do for peace today, and why. One example is the Ramakrishna Mission, a Hindu organisation founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda. He named it after his teacher, Ramakrishna. Its main centre is at Belur Math, near Kolkata, in India, and it has branches in India and in other countries. You met its idea of serving others in Karma and Suffering in Hinduism.
🏢 Relief work
It helps people after disasters such as floods and cyclones, giving food, shelter and medical care to everyone who needs it.
📚 Education
It runs schools and colleges. Education gives people skills and hope, which can reduce poverty and anger.
🏥 Health care
It runs hospitals and clinics that treat people of every background.
It also teaches the harmony of religions. Ramakrishna taught that different religions are different paths to the same goal, so no faith should look down on another. The Mission aims to serve people of every religion and none.
Why do they do this?
- The atman is in everyone, so serving people is a way of serving God.
- Ahimsa means more than not hurting people. It means caring for them.
- Poverty, hunger and unfairness often cause conflict. Meeting people's needs removes some of the causes.
- Respect for other religions removes one cause of religious conflict.
Not every Hindu belongs to the Mission, and Hindus work for peace in many other ways, such as through the teaching of Gandhi, which is the next lesson, Pacifism, Satyagraha and Gandhi.
Common mistakes
- Writing "Hindus believe in peace" and nothing more. Name the teaching, such as ahimsa or the atman, and say why it leads to peace.
- Describing what the Ramakrishna Mission does without saying why. The marks are for the reasons.
- Saying all Hindus think the same. Some put ahimsa first, others stress the duty to protect dharma.
Exam-style question
(a) Identify three ways in which religions work for peace today. [3 marks]
(b) Choose one religion. Outline two teachings about forgiveness in this religion. [4 marks]
(c) Choose one religion. Explain why followers of this religion work for peace. [6 marks]
(d) 'Religious organisations are the best way to bring peace.' Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
Model answer
(a) 1. Giving help after disasters (1) 2. Running schools and hospitals (1) 3. Bringing opposing sides together to talk (1)
(b) Hinduism. Hindus teach that forgiveness, or kshama, is a quality of a good person as listed in Bhagavad Gita chapter 16 (1). Forgiving lets go of the wish for revenge, so the conflict can end (1). They also teach that every person has an atman (1), so even an enemy can change and be forgiven (1).
(c) Hindus work for peace because of ahimsa, the teaching that no living being should be harmed. They believe every person has an atman, so harming anyone harms something sacred, and serving people is a way of serving God. For example, the Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, helps people after disasters and runs schools and hospitals for people of every background. Hindus also believe in dharma, which includes fairness, so they work to put wrongs right as well as stopping fights. Ramakrishna taught that different religions are paths to the same goal, so many Hindus work for harmony between faiths.
(d) Plan. For: the Ramakrishna Mission shows that an organisation can reach many people, give lasting help through schools and hospitals, and teach respect for other religions; religious teachings such as ahimsa give people a strong reason to work for peace and forgive. Against: governments, the United Nations and courts have the power to enforce agreements, and a religious group does not; some conflicts involve religion as a cause, so a religious body may not be trusted by all sides; non-religious people and Humanists work for peace through reason and human rights; individuals, like Gandhi, can matter as much as organisations. A possible conclusion: religious organisations are one of the best ways, because they act on daily needs and change attitudes, but lasting peace also needs laws and governments, so "the best" is too strong on its own.
Exam tip
In a "Choose one religion" question, name Hinduism and use its own words, such as ahimsa, atman, kshama or dharma. A reason with "because" scores higher than a description of what happens.