Influence of Indian Culture on Ethical Values

Indian culture plays an important role in inculcating ethical values. Indian values gave prime importance to right to happiness for all human beings.

Indian culture is complex in nature and with diversity in religion and their customs we live with unity. The two most important tenets of Indian culture are human Values and Holism. Human values refer to moral, spiritual and ethical values while Holism means oneness or unity. Indian culture is very rich and diverse and teaches us to be tolerant to others.  Human values are inculcated from the Vedic teachings to lead a peaceful integrated life. Indian Culture shows us evidences of development of values in life by training and experience. The Bhagawad Gita is considered as the essence of the Vedas and Upanishads. Important values that are ever relevant and unchanging are found in the form of scriptural texts in the Indian culture.

Vedas

A man has duties and commitments in all stages of life. The Vedas teaches how to perform them. It contains entire range of knowledge. Veda is the source of all Dharma i.e. religion, morality, righteousness and good conduct. It has the highest authority over other materials of the past. According to the Vedas, the nobler virtue is truth, and then follows other virtues.

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita acts as powerful catalyst for change and renovation in one’s life. The verses from this book contribute to improve self-reflection, better the senses and expands one’s inner development, makes the life more active and joy at any circumstances, through attitudinal changes in the individuals. It offers us the tools to connect with our deepest insubstantial spirit, and leads us to participate in the battle of life.

Manusmriti

Manusmriti is one of the earliest and most authoritative law texts followed by the Hindus, covering a wide range of topics such as creation of the world, sacraments like ‘Upanayana’ and marriage; duties of men and women placed in different strata of society and stages of life; penitential rites for violation of codes of conduct; and so on. According to Manusmriti, Dharma is essential for the individual’s happiness and for the family and the society.

Ramayana

Ramayana contains the universal human values and the sense of morality which can regulate the code of society for the betterment of establishing peace. It is because, through various characters, social and moral values are displayed. There is an explanation in this epic to differentiate the term human value from social value. Rama sacrificed all his pleasures for the welfare of the subjects of his kingdom. He abandoned Sita for the satisfaction of his criticisers.

Kamasutra

This book written by vatsyayana explores the quality of life in general, and how to attain the level of sattva or goodness in a successful material and spiritual life. It also highlights the importance of personal evolution that culminates in the highest success of human existence.

Jataka-tales

Jataka tales are important part of Buddhist literature. Jatak stories represent former incarnations of Buddha and are intended to impart values of self-sacrifice, morality, honesty and other informative values to people.

Dhammapadda

Better known as the path of wisdom is concerned with establishment well-being and happiness in the immediately visible sphere of concrete human relations. It pursues a man to go in the path of light, and strengthen himself to fight the temptations of worldly pleasures.