Changes

# '''The law of cause and effect:''' The soul undergoes it’s own karma, by which each person must experience the results or consequences of his activities and creates his own destiny based on his thought, words and deeds.

# '''The law of cause and effect:''' The soul undergoes it’s own karma, by which each person must experience the results or consequences of his activities and creates his own destiny based on his thought, words and deeds.

# '''Rebirth or reincarnation (our next birth is directed by our karma):''' The soul incarnates through different forms until, by its own spiritual development, it reaches liberation (moksha) from the repetition of birth and death, when it attains its natural position in the spiritual domain.

# '''Rebirth or reincarnation (our next birth is directed by our karma):''' The soul incarnates through different forms until, by its own spiritual development, it reaches liberation (moksha) from the repetition of birth and death, when it attains its natural position in the spiritual domain.

# We can elevate ourselves spiritually by also engaging in worship of the Divine, such as in His forms as deities in the temple.

# '''Worship of the Divine''' We can elevate ourselves spiritually by also engaging in worship of the Divine, such as in His forms as deities in the temple.

# We can receive proper instruction on how to follow the teachings of the Vedic philosophy from an authorized guru who is in line with a genuine parampara, or line of gurus.

# '''Guru-Shishya Parampara:''' We can receive proper instruction on how to follow the teachings of the Vedic philosophy from an authorized guru who is in line with a genuine parampara, or line of gurus.

# '''Principles for our spiritual development''', such as ahimsa or non-violence should be followed.

# '''Principles for our spiritual development''', such as ahimsa or non-violence should be followed.

# '''The Four Ashramas:''' In our life there are four main goals, as indicated by the four ashramas of life, such as brahmacharya (the student’s life), the grihasta or the householder stage of life, the vanaprastha or retired stage of life in which we take our spiritual goals more seriously, and then the renounced or sannyasa stage of life in which our spiritual purpose is the main focus. Amongst these stages we focus first on Dharma, which is to develop ourselves morally and spiritually; then Artha, which is to develop a career or trade and prosper materially; then Kama, to enjoy and work out our basic material desires as is appropriate for our particular stage of life; and then retire from all that and focus on Moksha, or attaining Self-realization and freedom from any further rounds of birth and death in material existence.

# '''The Four Ashramas (stages):''' In our life there are four main goals, as indicated by the four ashramas of life,  

These ten principles expand to include several other additional points:

## ''brahmacharya'' (the student’s life),  

## ''grihasta'' or the householder stage of life,  

## ''Vanaprastha'' or retired stage of life in which we take our spiritual goals more seriously,  

## ''Sanyasa'' or renunciation stage of life in which our spiritual purpose is the main focus.  

Amongst these stages, first is

# '''Dharma''', which is to develop ourselves morally and spiritually;  

# then '''Artha''', which is to develop a career or trade and prosper materially;  

# then '''Kama''', to enjoy and work out our basic material desires as is appropriate for our particular stage of life;  

# and then retire from all that and focus on '''Moksha''' or attaining Self-realization and freedom from any further rounds of birth and death in material existence.

 

== Expansion  of the ten principles ==

   

   

A. The Vedic Tradition is more than a religion, but a way of life, a complete philosophy for the foundation and direction for one’s existence.

B. It is ''based on Universal Spiritual Truths'' that can be applied by anyone at anytime.

   

   

B. It is based on Universal Spiritual Truths that can be applied by anyone at anytime.

C. The Vedic tradition recognizes that ''the individual soul is eternal'', beyond the limitations of the body, and that one soul is no different than another.

   

   

C. The Vedic tradition recognizes that the individual soul is eternal, beyond the limitations of the body, and that one soul is no different than another.

D. All living entities, both human and otherwise, ''are the same in their essential and divine spiritual being''. All of them are parts of the eternal truth, and have appeared in this world to express their nature and also to gather experience in the realms of matter.

   

   

D. All living entities, both human and otherwise, are the same in their essential and divine spiritual being. All of them are parts of the eternal truth, and have appeared in this world to express their nature and also to gather experience in the realms of matter.

E. For this reason, Vedic followers accept the premise of ''Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that all living beings in the universe comprise one family,'' and that as such all beings are spiritually equal and should be respected as members within that family of the Supreme.

   

   

E. For this reason, Vedic followers accept the premise of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that all living beings in the universe comprise one family, and that as such all beings are spiritually equal and should be respected as members within that family of the Supreme.

F. The ultimate purpose of human life is to ''shed all attachments to matter and attain moksha'' (liberation from material existence) and return to the transcendental realm which is not only our true nature but also our real home.

   

   

F. The ultimate purpose of human life is to shed all attachments to matter and attain moksha (liberation from material existence) and return to the transcendental realm which is not only our true nature but also our real home.

G. Every person’s capacity to progress spiritually depends upon their personal qualities, choices and abilities, and i''s not limited by the circumstances of one’s color, caste, class, or any other circumstance of birth'' or temporary material limitations or designations.

   

   

H. The Vedic path is based on ''regaining our natural spiritual identity.'' To pursue this goal, all human beings have the eternal right to choose their personal form of spiritual practice, as well as the right to reject any form of religious activity, and that coercion, forced conversion, or commercial inducement to adopt one religion over another should never be used or tolerated to present, propagate, or enforce one’s spiritual beliefs on others.

H. The Vedic path is based on regaining our natural spiritual identity. To pursue this goal, all human beings have the eternal right to choose their personal form of spiritual practice, as well as the right to reject any form of religious activity, and that coercion, forced conversion, or commercial inducement to adopt one religion over another should never be used or tolerated to present, propagate, or enforce one’s spiritual beliefs on others.

   

   

I. The Vedic path offers personal freedom for one to make his or her own choice of how he or she wants to pursue their spiritual approach, and what level of the Absolute Truth he or she wishes to understand. This is the height of spiritual democracy and freedom from tyranny.

I. The Vedic path offers personal freedom for one to make his or her own choice of how he or she wants to pursue their spiritual approach, and what level of the Absolute Truth he or she wishes to understand. This is the height of spiritual democracy and freedom from tyranny.