What makes a good Hindu and why?

Answer 1

This answer to this varies based on the individual. For a person of the Hindu faith, how closely you adhere to the Dharma, or universal law of things, is what accumulates good or bad Karma. The Dharma includes basic values, morals and ethics that are pretty universal like not stealing, not killing, honesty, compassion, modesty, and non violence. There are some people of the Hindu faith that will deprive themselves of any pleasure or try to remain completely non violent to other life forms (even insects), in an attempt to adhere as closely to the Dharma as possible, thus accumulating what they feel is good Karma.

However, each person has a different idea to what the Dharma is for them. For many, it is based on their station in life. For instance, if someone is a worker, than being the best possible worker would be following the Dharma. If someone is a leader, being the best possible leader would be following the Dharma. For some, it is worshipping a particular God that is part of the Dharma.

Many people of the Hindu faith put a lot of effort into discovering what the Dharma is for them. A lot of time spent meditating and participating in various forms of Yoga are how a person of the Hindu faith discovers what is needed for them to follow the Dharma and how they practice what they have learned.