Transcript

Even if we have no interest at all in becoming a Hindu, Hinduism offers us at least four fascinating ideas. One, look forward to death. Hinduism is hugely radical in suggesting that there is nothing especially Noble or interesting about being alive. Once we look at matters dispassionately, a lot of what we have to go through is misery and suffering.

We need with great effort to grow up to assume responsibilities, to master a profession, to have a family, to take our place in society is full of backbiting and hypocrisy. To watch those we love get ill, and eventually to succumb to old age ourselves. To think highly of life is through a Hindu lens, a fundamental intellectual error. As Hinduism sees it. Our real purpose is to be done with life forever. That is the true summit of existence. Hinduism reverses the Western equation. The sinful and blinkered are forced to live forever.