Why Virtuous Actions Matter
As a child, we are taught to always treat others how we would like to be treated ourselves. And in almost all religious and spiritual traditions, this very basic is re-inforced i.e. that being virtuous, and performing virtuous actions is important.
There are also a range of other spiritual teachings which speak of acting with a warm and kind heart and that this is one of the keys to finding happiness and joy in our own life. In the yogic tradition for example, this concept is known as Karma Yoga - a practice which focuses solely on helping others so that we too may benefit in the long run. In simple terms, the important concept which underpins all of these works on the idea that we reap what we sow. In the Buddhist tradition for example, they believe that our actions (or more specifically the intentions behind our actions) help to create our future circumstances, good or bad. This idea of "karma" is said to be one of the most fundamental teachings in Buddhism as it dictates the extent to which we will find either happiness or suffering in this life (and future lives). And so, this helps to illustrate very briefly, the importance of being virtuous and kind in our life. |
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