KW: In Hinduism the purpose of life is to do your best in your caste role so that you can move on to a better reincarnation or it is to become better so that you will find release, moksha. Hindus believe that to achieve moksha one must break free from the limitations and distractions that the earthly world can put upon one’s self.
There are different rituals or practices that the Hindu people do to achieve moksha or to have a better reincarnation. This religion seems to be oriented towards doing good works to have a better reincarnation. One of the theories is the monkey-theory which states that “we cling to God, and God effects our salvation.”[1] This means that one must actually do something to achieve salvation. They believe that if they fulfill their caste role to the best of their ability they will have a better reincarnation.
A Hindu person also believes that if one follows a certain lifestyle one will escape reincarnation and find release through the path of learning or through certain exercises. In some ways it must be comforting to know that by doing something you will be almost guaranteed to have a better next life. There is no trusting or faith needed, it is simply stated that things will be better for you later if you do well now or you will find release through these steps. In the Upanishads it explains yoga and explains that “One who practices Yoga beholds here the nature of Brahma, unborn, steadfast, from every nature free- by know God one is released from all fetter!”[2]
[1] Eerdman pg. 189
[2] Van Voorst pg. 54