| Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the five | | | | |
| major religions in our | | | | that you could live a perfect life and not |
| | | | have to continue in the |
| world. They are widely practiced, and have | | | | |
| survived for centuries. | | | | samsara. The basic way to this is the |
| | | | Eightfold Path, which says to |
| Both have similarities and differences, as | | | | |
| do all forms of religion, | | | | practice moderation by having the right mind |
| | | | set, actively wanting to |
| and I will discuss the practices and | | | | |
| theological aspects of Hinduism | | | | eliminate suffering, not lying, insulting or |
| | | | causing suffering with |
| and Buddhism.No one is completely sure of | | | | |
| where Hinduism was started and by whom. | | | | words. Also, to have the right conduct, |
| | | | means of livelihood, |
| Today, it is the world's third largest | | | | |
| religion. Many changes have | | | | endeavors, mindfulness and meditation. |
| | | | Buddhists believe that if you |
| come upon Hinduism since they practiced it | | | | |
| first. Hinduism includes | | | | follow this you will be enlightened.Many |
| | | | Buddhist beliefs are almost the same as a |
| many different denominations and beliefs | | | | Hindu's. Buddhists do |
| that have arisen. Though | | | | |
| | | | not practice the caste system. One of the |
| there are many things in common with all of | | | | only ways to achieve nirvana |
| the Hindu sects, their | | | | |
| | | | in one lifetime is to be a monk or a nun. If |
| basic beliefs are what tie them together. | | | | you break an area in the |
| Their oldest written | | | | |
| | | | Eightfold Path, then you cannot achieve |
| documents, the Vedas, were written down in | | | | nirvana. Also, in order to |
| 1000 B.C. but had existed | | | | |
| | | | follow the 4th part of The Eightfold Path, |
| orally long before.The religion of Hinduism | | | | all Buddhists are |
| teaches us that each living body is filled | | | | |
| | | | vegetarians. Killing of an animal is seen as |
| with an eternal soul. Hindus say that the | | | | causing suffering. Like |
| individual soul was a part | | | | |
| | | | the Hindus, an animal has a soul.Despite all |
| of the creator spirit, Brahma. It is each | | | | the talk about suffering, Buddhism is really |
| soul's job and wish to | | | | about the |
| | | | |
| eventually return to Brahma. It is not | | | | absence of suffering. Buddhism is a way to |
| possible because of sins and | | | | develop the ability to love |
| | | | |
| impurities from the world; they are no | | | | the entire universe, simply because it is. |
| longer pure and holy to return. | | | | By understanding that the |
| | | | |
| The process of becoming pure is so difficult | | | | universe exits inside a blade of grass, just |
| that no soul can | | | | as the blade of grass |
| | | | |
| accomplish it in one lifetime. The soul is | | | | resides within the universe. All things are |
| forced to live life after | | | | inter-connected.Both Hinduism and Buddhism |
| | | | accept and believe that there is one |
| life until it is pure enough to return to | | | | |
| Brahma. The Hindus call the | | | | creator spirit. Each of them recognizes |
| | | | Brahma or a version of Brahma |
| cycles of rebirths samsara, or the Wheel of | | | | |
| Life. When a soul is | | | | as the creator spirit. Though they also |
| | | | recognize other gods, Brahma |
| finally cleansed enough to break free of | | | | |
| samsara it is called moksha. | | | | is the ultimate god. All praise goes to him, |
| | | | no matter which god you |
| The soul returns to Brahma for an eternity | | | | |
| of contentment and ecstasy.There is no one | | | | are praising. This is a significant |
| incorporating creed in Hinduism. A follower | | | | similarity between the two |
| may choose | | | | |
| | | | religions.The two religions of Hinduism and |
| any god as their personal god, or may | | | | Buddhism believe in the process of |
| worship several of them. | | | | |
| | | | reincarnation. Reincarnation is being reborn |
| Although, to be a Hindu there are certain | | | | again with one soul. |
| things that a follower must | | | | |
| | | | Inside this belief, they also believe that |
| believe in and live by. These beliefs | | | | your deeds, or activities, |
| include a belief in karma, | | | | |
| | | | during your life will determine where you |
| dharma and reincarnation after death. Also, | | | | will end up. If you have |
| that there are three main | | | | |
| | | | lived a good life, you will be rewarded by |
| gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Vedas is | | | | another good life, or you |
| also honored for sacredness. | | | | |
| | | | might be allowed finally to rejoin with |
| Aside from these three gods, Hindus are | | | | Brahma. If you've led a bad |
| truly monotheistic by | | | | |
| | | | life, you will remain on earth longer, and |
| believing in a single god. The reason behind | | | | most likely have a bad life |
| this is that everything | | | | |
| | | | when you are reborn.In the religion of |
| comes from Brahman. It does not matter whom | | | | Hinduism there are castes, or social classes. |
| the worship is for because | | | | They |
| | | | |
| it is ultimately Brahman. Brahman does not | | | | decide what your lifestyle will be like in |
| reward or punish those for | | | | that lifetime. If you are |
| | | | |
| their deeds in life. All souls create their | | | | born a slave, you must stay a slave your |
| own rewards and | | | | whole life. Or, if you are |
| | | | |
| punishments through karma. Dharma, on the | | | | born a wealthy man or woman that is what you |
| other hand, is the ultimate | | | | must be all of your life. |
| | | | |
| commendable balance of all things living. It | | | | To the Hindus, it is a sin to try to change |
| belongs to everything, | | | | what caste you belong to, |
| | | | |
| including the universe. Every soul is | | | | as well as to associate with a person from a |
| responsible for balancing their | | | | caste that is lower than |
| | | | |
| dharma. The areas to balance in dharma are | | | | yours.On the other hand, the teachings of |
| religious, social, and | | | | the Buddha did away with the caste |
| | | | |
| within the family. They must keep promises, | | | | system. A person is allowed to change their |
| and remain faithful to | | | | social class. If they |
| | | | |
| religious rituals, while also taking care of | | | | follow the Eightfold Path, then this is |
| their family. If a soul | | | | permissible. It is an honor to |
| | | | |
| loses this balance, then it will affect | | | | be a monk or a nun, for they are the ones |
| their karma. Dharma has been | | | | who can achieve nirvana. |
| | | | |
| called tradition, duty, and a custom, but to | | | | Buddhists also will mingle with those of |
| a Hindu it is spiritually | | | | less importance then |
| | | | |
| more than that.The society of Hinduism is | | | | themselves.Hinduism teaches that you must go |
| strictly divided. The different levels, | | | | through samsara in order to finally |
| | | | |
| castes, do not mingle. The division is | | | | reach moksha. They do not believe that a |
| largely due to the practices of | | | | soul can totally cleanse |
| | | | |
| dharma and karma. Both practices express the | | | | itself of all impurities in just one life. |
| idea that if someone is | | | | It is a gradual process |
| | | | |
| born into a specific lifestyle, they must | | | | involving dharma, balancing one's life, and |
| stay there. It would be bad | | | | karma, weighing the deeds |
| | | | |
| karma to attempt to leave that lifestyle. | | | | of a lifetime. Meanwhile, the Buddha again |
| Within the caste system, | | | | went and brought question |
| | | | |
| there are four levels along with two groups | | | | to samsara. He found that it is possible to |
| that are apart from the | | | | cleanse oneself in one |
| | | | |
| castes. Every caste comes from Brahma, with | | | | lifetime and return to Brahma; he called it |
| the highest level being | | | | nirvana. In order to |
| | | | |
| the Brahmin. This level is the priestly | | | | achieve nirvana, a Buddhist must follow and |
| caste, but also included | | | | accept The Four Noble |
| | | | |
| teachers and keepers or the religion. The | | | | Truths, and the Eightfold Path. The |
| next level, the Kshatriyas, | | | | Eightfold Path serves as an |
| | | | |
| were the kings and soldiers. The third level | | | | instructional guide as how to keep oneself |
| is the Vaisyas. They | | | | on the right path to |
| | | | |
| occupy the jobs of merchants, artisans, and | | | | nirvana.Hinduism and Buddhism also have |
| farmers. The fourth and | | | | several smaller differences. The area |
| | | | |
| final caste is Sudras. These people are the | | | | of greatest concentration for Hinduism is |
| manual workers, | | | | India. India is where |
| | | | |
| represented by Brahma's feet. It is | | | | Buddhism originated, but Hinduism eventually |
| considered a sin to associate with | | | | was a more appealing |
| | | | |
| people of a lower caste than you. So each | | | | religion and became dominant. Buddhism is |
| caste is made up of a | | | | found mostly in East Asia, |
| | | | |
| different level of the society.There are | | | | inside China and Mongolia. These areas |
| also two groups outside the caste system. One | | | | prefer having small gods, as |
| group is for | | | | |
| | | | opposed to the Hindus only having three |
| foreigners. They might be a nonbeliever or | | | | major ones and then smaller, |
| anyone who receives special | | | | |
| | | | less important gods. Buddhism was founded by |
| treatment from the Hindu society. The second | | | | Suddartha Gautama, or the |
| outcaste group is known | | | | |
| | | | Buddha. Hinduism was started gradually; no |
| as the Untouchables; these people are | | | | one knows for sure who |
| considered nonhuman and cannot | | | | |
| | | | founded it; most likely, it was many people. |
| participate in any Hindu practices. They do | | | | Both practice meditation, |
| the work no one wants to | | | | |
| | | | butthey practice it in different forms. A |
| do and do no associate with anyone that is | | | | Hindu will meditate obtaining |
| of a higher caste.Siddartha Gautama founded | | | | |
| Buddhism and became the Buddha. His | | | | inner peace through the charkras of the |
| | | | body. Once all of the charkras |
| intentions were not to form a new religion, | | | | |
| only to modify an older | | | | have been balanced, a white light is said to |
| | | | be above the person's |
| one. Brahmanism, or Hinduism, had become | | | | |
| very mainstream. Siddartha | | | | head, and they are enlightened. Buddhists |
| | | | meditate similarity, but |
| was a minor king of northern India. He | | | | |
| ventured outside the palace | | | | have different variations of how it is |
| | | | preformed; their main goal is |
| walls one day and saw how life really was. | | | | |
| Inspired, Siddartha left | | | | to end suffering.The two religions of |
| | | | Buddhism and Hinduism are very alike, and yet |
| his home, and family to discover the meaning | | | | |
| of life. For years he | | | | very different. To accept their way of |
| | | | thinking, one must put aside |
| listened to and studied with the Indian wise | | | | |
| men; he then turned to | | | | their own religion. They strive for an inner |
| | | | peace, and finally to |
| meditation. Discouraged by not finding the | | | | |
| answer he desired, he sat | | | | reach heaven through either moksha or |
| | | | nirvana. I being a Christian, |
| under a fig tree for 49 days. When the | | | | |
| answer finally came to him, he | | | | have found in some ways it hard to |
| | | | understand the process of |
| became Buddha. Therefore, Buddhism was | | | | |
| founded.Buddhism is a reformed version of | | | | reincarnation, and Brahma. Though, I can see |
| Hinduism. Buddha discovered the Four | | | | how that for people of |
| | | | |
| Noble Truths, which are the foundation for | | | | another culture, these religions are very |
| all forms of Buddhist | | | | supportive, and soothing. |
| | | | |
| philosophy. There is suffering, suffering is | | | | Culture plays a big part in determining your |
| caused, eliminating the | | | | beliefs. Obviously, they |
| | | | |
| causes of suffering can extinguish suffering | | | | are very deep-rooted for surviving longer |
| and the way to extinguish | | | | than Christianity. I admire |
| | | | |
| the causes of suffering is to follow the | | | | their strong faith and their desire to |
| Middle Way stated in the | | | | become pure and unblemished. |
| | | | |
| Eightfold Path.The Eightfold Path also comes | | | | Hinduism and Buddhism are two major |
| from Buddha; it teaches to practice | | | | religions, firmly planted in theirThe article |
| | | | was produced by the member of |
| moderation. If followed, one may achieve | | | | |
| true enlightenment, or | | | | Sharon White is a senior writer and writers |
| | | | consultant at term papers. Get some useful |
| nirvana. Nirvana is reaching Brahma in one | | | | tips for thesis and buy term papers. |
| lifetime. Buddha believed | | | | |