Page 103 - Hinduism

Hinduism unlike other religions which took up the competitive path, has sought to tame even the enthusiasm of the knowers of other religions by its wide catholicity in spirit to the truths expounded by them. It has disarmed them all, both within India and without by means of its peaceful approach. The twin-notes of Hinduism, struck not once only in the history of India, are peace (Sānti) and knowledge (jñāna), peace through knowledge and knowledge through peace. A social life which is based on these two principles or ideals, would tend to exhibit a higher state of civilisedness and culture than one based on comfort or security or even salvation.
The individual must be re-made in the spiritual manner. This requires on the part of every individual the recognition of the world as a divine world, a world not based on chance or chaos but a cosmos. A lawful world is the ideal of a rational creature. As we have seen dharma is the conception of the law behind the world and all actions or karmas which are performed properly and selflessly and without seeking fruits are individually emancipating and socially good. Good performance of actions or karma yoga itself leads to Brahmānubhāva or God- experience. By moral action Hinduism means all such actions as are done without seeking fruits and according to dharma laid down by tradition, spiritual insight and great seers. Such actions have the characteristic of social good, because the socially
evil actions are mostly self-seeking and egoistic 103