Belief in permanence is integral to Hinduism on many levels, differentiating it from other religions that focus only on the world’s impermanence, like Buddhism. In Hinduism, everything is believed to be interconnected in the infiniteness of reality, and this constant reality cannot be altered in any way. Some examples of permanence traditions are the concept of endless consciousness, an eternal code of Sanatana Dharma, and the adherence to moral beliefs in Brahman as the omnipresent God (Shukla-Bhatt, 2023). These ideas imply that permanence plays a critical role in understanding Hinduism.
One of the core concepts of Hinduism is the concept of one’s infinite consciousness. There are two primary types of minds, permanent and impermanent, which constitute individuals’ psyche (“Consciousness according to Hinduism,” n.d.). Moreover, it is one of the core differences from many other religions and philosophical traditions, such as Buddhism, which understands consciousness as an impermanent entity (“Consciousness according to Hinduism,” n.d.). The permanent consciousness in Hinduism, Atman, is self-existent and pure (Shukla-Bhatt, 2023). This constant spirit is believed to be present in every existing being.
Hindus believe in the importance of having a fixed set of moral values and principles called Sanatana Dharma. These principles are deemed to be eternal and should define one’s behavior during their entire life (Shukla-Bhatt, 2023). Rejecting violence and centering love and truthful living are the core ideas of a virtuous life. The way people apply these permanent principles to their actions defines their destiny and their karma.
Another core belief is God’s ever-present existence in the whole universe and all living beings. It is believed to exist everywhere equally and at all times. God, or Brahman, is believed to be incomprehensible but omnipresent and constant at the same time, which is another piece of evidence of the permanent nature of Hinduism (Shukla-Bhatt, 2023). Brahman never changes; it is the ultimate root and end of everything. In summary, the three mentioned examples demonstrate the utmost significance of permanence in Hinduism.
References
Consciousness according to Hinduism and Buddhism. (n.d.). Hinduwebsite. Web.
Shukla-Bhatt, N. (2023). Hinduism: The basics. Routledge.