Human Destiny

Question 1

Zaehner: Fatalism in Hinduism

Answer 1

• all action springs from God

- we have no free will, God so powerfully controlling.

Question 2

Why is hinduism fatalistic : (4)

Answer 2

• we are trapped in samsara
• karma ties us down to the wheel of samsara, leads to an endless repeat of births and deaths.
• There is nothing we can do about what we are born as, its dictated but the automatic law of karma.
• Ramanuja, cat school –> nothing we can do to save ourselves, up to God.

Question 3

Why is Hinduism not fatalistic

Answer 3

• we have free will regarding whether or not to obey dharma.