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Unlock This CourseIn Rich and Poor: Charity, Justice and Compassion you met the gap between rich and poor, and the ideas of charity, justice and compassion. Now we look at what Hinduism adds. Hindus believe that wealth is not wrong in itself, but it brings a duty to share.
Remember, dharma means duty and the right way to live, and karma means action and its results. Both matter a great deal here.
Key terms:
Hindus teach that a good life has four aims. One of them is artha, which means wealth and success (you met the four aims in Dharma and the Four Ashramas). So Hinduism does not say that being rich is bad. It does set two conditions:
Many Hindu teachers say that wealth is a trust. It is something to use for the good of the family, the community and those in need.
Hindu scriptures praise generous giving. The Rig Veda (hymn 10.117) praises giving to the needy and says that the person who eats alone, never sharing, gains nothing good from it. The Bhagavad Gita (chapter 17) says that the best gift is given as a duty, to someone in need, at the right time and place, and without expecting anything in return.
Seva means selfless service: helping others without wanting praise or reward. Many Hindus believe that serving people is a way of serving God, because the same atman (soul) is in every living being. Helping a hungry person is therefore a form of worship.
Hindus believe good actions bring good results, now or in a future life. Generous giving builds up good karma. Selfishness and greed build up bad karma. This gives the wealthy a strong reason to share.
The Taittiriya Upanishad teaches people to give with faith, generosity and sympathy. The Bhagavad Gita (chapter 3) warns that those who cook only for themselves eat sin. For many Hindus, helping the poor is part of the householder's dharma.
A key point for the exam: the ideal is to give quietly and with a pure heart, without expecting thanks. Seva is also open to everyone, so a person with little money can still give time and effort.
These teachings turn into action in many ways.
Charity means giving to those in need, justice means fairness, and compassion means caring about suffering. Hindu teachings link all three:
Hindu teachers say the poor should be treated with respect and dignity, not pity. A gift should never make the person receiving it feel small.
Most Hindus agree that the wealthy should give. They may disagree about how. Some think the best help is direct giving, such as food and shelter. Others support education and development so that people can escape poverty. Because of karma, some people might say poverty is the result of past actions, but many Hindu teachers say this must never be an excuse for not helping. Seva is a duty whatever the cause of someone's need.
(a) Identify three ways a person could give help to people in poverty. [3 marks]
(b) Choose one religion. Outline two teachings in this religion which encourage the wealthy to support the poor. [4 marks]
(c) Choose one religion. Explain why people in this religion give to the poor. [6 marks]
(d) 'Giving money to charity is the best way to help the poor.' Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
(a) (1) Giving money to a charity. (1) Giving food. (1) Volunteering time. (3 marks)
(b) Hinduism. Many Hindus follow dana, giving, which is praised in scripture (1), so a wealthy Hindu should share food and money with those in need (1). Many Hindus follow seva, selfless service (1), because the same atman is in every person, so serving the poor is a way of serving God (1). (4 marks)
(c) In Hinduism, many Hindus give to the poor because of dana, the duty to give freely (1). Hindu teaching says that wealth should be earned and used according to dharma, so keeping it all for oneself is wrong (1). Hindus believe in karma, so generous actions build good karma and selfishness builds bad karma (1). Many Hindus also believe that the atman is in every person, so serving the poor through seva is serving God (1). This shows in the work of the Akshaya Patra Foundation and ISKCON's Food for Life, which feed people in need (1). Hindus therefore give both from duty and from compassion (1). (6 marks)
(d) Plan. For: money is quick and flexible, and charities can buy food and medicine in bulk. Dana is praised in Hinduism, and gifts of money support groups such as the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Against: seva means giving time and care, not only money, and some Hindus say that giving without personal involvement misses the point. Some people say that education, fair pay and fair laws help the poor more in the long run, which links to justice. Humanists might say that governments should share wealth fairly through tax, not leave it to charity. Possible conclusion: money is very useful and often the fastest help, but it is not the only or always the best way. The best help for most Hindus combines dana with seva and works for justice as well, so the statement is only partly true.
In the 12-mark question, name Hindu ideas (dana, seva, karma, dharma) and give a view that disagrees, then end with a conclusion that chooses a side and says why.