Comparison of Buddhism and Hinduism
“Thank goodness for eastern religion, I’m going to yoga class now and I redid my room to improve like my Zen, it really works…” for many in the western world, this is the most that is understood about eastern religions, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism. Although many would be interested to know that yoga is not just an exercise class; there are many more important details about Buddhism and Hinduism we are misinformed about, Especially, the differences of these two religions. Since Buddhism evolved from Hinduism, they are very similar, but they are two different faiths, with different sets of beliefs and interpretations on life and enlightenment (the ultimate objective of both).
It might be in our best interest to begin this discussion at the end, with enlightenment. This is the goal of both Hinduism and Buddhism. To be exact, enlightenment in its simplest definition, is the ultimate release from the cycle of samsara, or the cycle of birth, death and rebirth (Wagnu, 2001). In both faiths, every living spirit will eventually achieve this goal, even if it takes numerous reincarnations. In Hinduism, this goal is also called moksha , existence in the realm of the gods (Wagnu, 2001). However, in Buddhism enlightenment is called nirvana, and is a release from the cycle completely, not a deployment to the realm of gods. The sort of middle way between these two extremes is a belief held by Mahayana Buddhists, whom identify the Buddha in three bodies, one of which, the Ultimate Buddha underlies, the entire universe and is identified as nirvana itself (Wangu, 2002) (BUd).
On this journey to moksha or nirvana, one creates karma for himself. Karma as it is understood in the modern world “what goes around comes around” is a valid way to simplify this belief of Buddhist and Hindu religion. Both define it as “deeds that determine one’s position in rebirth, or samsara”. Evil deeds force one to pay a karmic price for their actions. In Hinduism, one who follows the dharma or social order of their caste builds good karma and one who does not, builds bad karma. With each new life, one’s karmic deeds are paid, and they are reborn. While in Hinduism, one who reaches the highest level on the caste system is said to have built good karma and is closest to enlightenment, Buddhism teaches that one’s caste is irrelevant and karma is dependent on obedience to religious law (the ultimate truth that will be discussed later).
Buddhism, founded by Buddha, was a religion based on staying on the right path and doing what is right to achieve nirvana. In Buddhism, there were two paths that people should not follow and there was a middle path discovered by the Perfect One that people should follow in life (Doc 4). Hinduism, which branched off of Buddhism, an intricate religion with one idea on what to do to achieve happiness. It also has the concept of Karma, which is the sum of a person’s good and bad deeds in life (Doc 1).
Buddhism was originated in India in the fifth century B.C.E by Siddhartha Gautama. In today estimation there are about three hundred and seventy six million followers, which is the sixth most practiced religion in the world. The founder of this religion was born a Kshatriya, which was the military or ruling class in the caste system. The caste system is a Hindu tradition. Buddhist does not believe in this system. Instead Buddhist believes in the four noble truths. The four noble truths teaches that everyone suffers, selfish desires causes suffering, suffering can be overcome by destroying selfish desires, and if man follows the Eightfold Path, he will destroy selfish desires and end all suffering. Buddhist also believes in Nirvana which is a release from selfishness and pain. Karma is also part of the Buddhist belief. Karma is interpreted in many ways around the world. But in the Buddhist religion Karma refers to the good and bad actions a person does in his or her life. The good actions will bring about good things in the future. Unlike the good actions, if...
Hinduism and Buddhism have different similarities and are in some ways connected to each other. Some of the practices of the two religions are similar in various ways and there are several examples to show this.
Hinduism and Buddhism, worship multiple deities and they follow the same path to achieve the Nirvana state which is a place where all the enlightened are. The Buddha’s teaching help is regularly summarized in the four respectable Truths, which type those premises of the 1st sermon he conveyed then afterward achieving enlightenment, and the eightfold Path, which gives a fundamental aide to how to live in the world. . Over
Hinduism and Buddhism share many similarities and many differences. Both believe in Samsara and Karma. They both acknowledge that desire is the root cause of suffering, and also detachment helps human being to better themselves, and meditation allows us to have a deeper understanding of our inner self. More importantly both religions begin in Indian. Buddhism does not believe Hindu’s gods are as powerful as Buddha. Hinduism is not founded by man; however, Buddhism is established by Buddha. This two religions are popular in many Southeast Asia counties; such as, India, Japan, Nepal, and China. This religions also exists among significant populations outside of those counties. Hinduism has over nine hundred follower worldwide; on the other hand,
Hinduism is the 3rd most popular religion in the world followed by Buddhism, together they are followed by 22 percent of the world’s population. These two religions are alike in many ways, and are tied together by Asia, where they have deep roots in its culture and history. Although Hinduism and Buddhism are similar in many ways, very important and large differences separate the two. No one and nothing can ever truly prove either religion is better than the other because that is up to personal beliefs and opinions, but many more people around the world prefer Buddhism over Hinduism because of its beliefs and practices.
Buddhism and Hinduism share many similar beliefs. The idea of being reborn after death until one reaches a certain point to which they reach their Nirvana, or Moksha as they refer to the action of being set free of the life, death, rebirth cycle. Both of these religions share a belief in karma being one of the defining factors of a person’s place in the world. Similarly, both religions advocate for nonviolence against all living beings. In Hinduism and Buddhism there are many different levels of heaven and hell and higher or lower worlds. Each of these religions practice spiritual meditation, concentration, and cultivations of special states of mind. The idea of detachment, or the renunciation of worldly life being a precondition to enter the Nirvana or spiritual life is shared by both religions as well. Desire is considered to be the main cause of suffering of people and each religion aims to teach their followers to shed the want and desire out of their lives in order to get closer to attaining Nirvana. While there are many similarities in both religions, they each contrast each other in many ways as well.
Today we have a lot of different types of religions practiced in the world, which has their own history of origin, traditions, rituals and their own unique way of practice or worship. Religion has been a key factor in almost each and every one of us in our life time. There are various types of religions being practiced today, namely Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and many more. These few religions mentioned above are three of the world most practiced religions in world today. Paving the way for other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism which is also part of the top five most practiced religions today. This brings me to my topic about the world of a Buddhist and Hindu. A lot of people including myself don’t know much about these two religions.
As Farnaz explained, in Hinduism we are said to live a continuos cycle of rebirths into different things, could be a plant, an animal, or human again, but the purpose of our lives is to end this cycle. The only way to end it, is to live a life with no imperfections or sins and since that is basically impossible to do, everybody will live this endless cycle. The Samsara doctrine states that our current life is a representation of our past and even earlier actions from our current lives (Farnaz). It is believed in “karma” and if we were evil in a past or even our present life we will live a miserable current life. Since Hinduism is a complicated and as Farnaz describes it complex religion, many Hindus have a variety of theories on how to end the cycle of living. Apparently in one of the most popular Hindu scriptures,The Bhagavad Gita, there are three paths to freedom from this cycle (Farnaz 10). The first path being “The Path of Knowledge” involves the process of meditation and yoga to learn about your true self (Farnaz). The second path is “The Path of Disinterested Action,” which states that we must engage in religious and non sinful actions without looking for something in return (Farnaz 11).This path claims that the reason people have to go through the cycle is because we only engage in righteous
Early Upanishads saw Brahman as something that was above all name and form. Later Upanishads saw Brahman in a much more personal manner. They viewed Brahman as an actual being that could be prayed to, rather than as a thing. Some even went as far as to view him as a god-like figure. Hinduists believe in re-incarnation after death. While many religions view the existence of an afterlife in a positive manner, the same cannot be said for this religion as they see it as a failure to reach enlightenment. As Yama stated in The Katha Upanishad, “If a man fail to attain Brahman before he casts off his body, he must again put on a body in the world of created things.” Yama stated that there are two parts of every human being: our Atman and our apparent self. Our Atman is basically our soul, and since it is of Brahman, it is everlasting. Our apparent self is what many perceive to be their identity, but is really the reason for our suffering. The purpose of life is to attempt to cast off this apparent self and become one with Brahman. In order to break the continuous cycle of death and re-birth, you have to purify your mind by using techniques such as yoga. Doing so will allow you to gain sacred knowledge and help you to reach ultimate
The concept of reincarnation is related to karma, karma deals with a system of rewards and punishment based on the actions of the individual (Oxtopy & Segal 266). Due to bad karma by the individual, it takes many lifetimes for the karma to be worked out; reincarnation also known as samsara in Hinduism is an ongoing cycle of death and rebirth. To be released from the cycle of samsara, to achieve moksha one must reach enlightenment (Oxtopy & Segal 266-267). In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna, an incarnation of the ultimate deity as a personal god in the Hindu religion, explains three ways to moksha: the way of action, the way of knowledge, and the way of devotion. The Gita also made it clear that one should strive for moksha in everyday of our life as long as we act without attachment (Oxtopy & Segal 274). Reincarnation a concept widely receive by Hindu’s around the world, there are evidence to support the truth of this concept.
Both Hinduism and Buddhism originated in the Indian subcontinent. Both show a deep understanding about the philosophy of life but have a rather peculiarly long and uncomfortable relationship.
"In Hinduism, salvation is achieved through a spiritual oneness of the soul, atman, with the ultimate reality of the universe, Brahman. To achieve this goal, the soul must obtain moksha, or liberation from the samsara, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. As a result of these basic teachings, Hindus believe in reincarnation, which is influenced by karma (material actions resulting from the consequences of previous actions), and dharma (fulfilling one's duty in life)"(Teachings and Beliefs, 2004, par. 1).
They define a state which is beyond the ordinary which can only be characterized by achieving a particular spiritual state. It is notable that Moksha is a common belief in the Hindu religion and it describes a state where one’s soul connects with god’s soul. On the other hand, it can be noted that Nirvana can be obtained by individuals who detached themselves from sin. However, it is clear that both require an individual to remain steadfast in their pursuit for spiritual liberation while abandoning the earthly life and desires. Reincarnation is a consequence of life that moksha and nirvana believers wish to avoid in order to overcome the suffering in the death and rebirth cycle, samsara. Hence, the practices have more similarities that
Man has always found pleasure in expressing himself by creating art. Through the centuries, man’s art has left behind clues and insight that enables the generations of today to understand their ancestors. In particular, historians and artist alike can see what certain Asian sculptures reflect of the culture and religious beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism is the parent religion to Buddhism; much like Judaism is to Christianity. Despite Buddhism and Hinduism sharing similar philosophies and various idealisms, their respective sculptures also show their differences. There are two important characteristic of the sculptures of these religions. The first is motion versus rest, and second the subject matter. It is these two types of characteristics historians and artist can help use to decipher Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.