The Hindu ‘festival of lights’, Diwali, is a joyous celebration of the triumph of good over evil. On this eve of Diwali 2024, I’m sharing
- my (outsider) understanding of the Hindu teachings on ethics and corruption
- a wonderful (insider) resource applying Hindu beliefs to contemporary life.
Why? Working with diverse participants attending workplace ethics, fraud awareness and anti-corruption sessions, I continue to be struck by the ease with which agreement on shared ethical values is achieved.
I must admit that Hinduism has always ‘looked’ the most different when I compare the spiritual tradition in which I was raised to that of other religions.
A recent trip to Nepal and India took me well beyond the appearance of Hinduism to the experience of its heart. What I found again was – commonality. And crystal clear teachings on the subjects of good and evil that directly align with today’s anti-corruption messaging.
- The need to live a life of integrity is the central theme of the foremost sources of teaching on Hinduism. The Bhagavad Gita, considered the most sacred of the Hindu scriptures, sets out how we should go about making daily choices between good and evil – a discipline that is essential if we wish to live a peaceful life that is progressively closer to God.
Why we act against our better judgement…
- Acts of wrongdoing are in the main understood as being the consequence of selfish desires that the wrongdoer has not been able to conquer. The overriding lesson is of the need for each of us to lead a good life by controlling our minds. Rather than be overcome by the allure of comforts, wealth, luxury and power, we must each learn to control such impulses.
On corruption in general and bribery in particular…
- The scriptures are unequivocal in their rejection of corruption, including bribery. No need to ‘read between the lines’ or struggle to find an anti-corruption message, this is explicit and repeated in direct teachings – while being well illustrated by vivid tales of those who have succumbed to or risen above temptation.
- Aparigraha, a teaching that one should not crave and amass posessions and wealth, and should definitely not accept bribes, is one of the five great universal vows propounded by the Ancient Indian sage Patanjali (died 150 BCE).
- When we fulfill our duties in a manner that is consistent with the Hindu teachings we will be rewarded, but we must never seek illegitimate, personal reward through our efforts. One of the key texts states that those who take unlawful gifts will go to hell.
Image: Bearing witness – On landing in Delhi, India, the first airport staff I saw were special assistance team members, waiting with wheelchairs to assist passengers in need. If you have never travelled with wheelchair bound companions you may not know the not so subtle pressure to tip that is felt around the world by the passenger who is in every way completely dependent upon the person pusing their wheechair. This conspicuous ‘No Tips’ badge was a breath of fresh air.
On personal consequences…
- The consequences of our actions will determine our happiness, not only in this life but in our future lives. They will not only affect us, but our children and their children.
On vulnerability to wrongdoing…
- However advanced we are on our spiritual journey and our commitment to a life of integrity, we are all vulnerable throughout our lives to the temptation of corruption.
And last but not least…
- When we tolerate great wealth disparities in our society, we are abusing the value of tolerance and allowing corruption to persist.
Image below: Waiting for food on the streets of Varanasi
Image above: Streets of Varanasi
I hope to have done some justice to the inspiring learning journey one takes when seeking to understand what we can learn from the different religions. If, as I hope, your interest in the Hindu teachings on integrity and corruption has been raised, please take a look at the online booklet, Hinduism Against Corruption. Developed on behalf of the Hindu Council of Kenya as their contribution to a collaboration between the various religions and the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission, you cannot imagine an easier way to learn about the subject.
Written by Penny Milner-Smyth | Director, Ethicalways | penny@ethicalways.co.za
Have we got anything wrong?
If in your opinion we have inadvertently misrepresented the teachings of Hinduism please let us know in the comments or by email to info@ethicalways.co.za so that we can update our article.
Help us share anti-corruption lessons from your religion
Can you recommend or share a resource that sets out your religion’s position on corruption? We’d love to hear from you! Send your contributions, which must include references that enable us to access the resource for verification purposes, to info@ethicalways.co.za. In future articles we hope to do justice to the anti-corruption positions of as many religions as possible.
Need content for your ongoing workplace ethics and anti-corruption awareness campaign?
Keeping the importance of integrity, ethics and compliance top of mind in the workplace requires on an ongoing, campaign approach.
For all your workplace ethics and anti-corruption training and advisory needs contact Ethicalways. If you want to use your influence as an employer to promote anti-corruption awareness, you will want to learn more about ‘Don’t Feed the Octopus’, our impactful video-based anti-corruption eLearning programme, available in English, with French or Portuguese sub-titles, as well as in isiZulu and Afrikaans.
References:
Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission, 2019, Hinduism against Corruption, https://eacc.go.ke/default/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/booklet-hindu.pdf, accessed October 2024.