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HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM Hinduism is among the world religions that has no founder or date of source. Majority of religions obtain new ideas taught by a compelling leader. Hinduism is merely the religion of the people of India, which has slowly urbanized over the years. Its beginning and the authors of its texts are mainly unidentified (History of Hinduism). Meanwhile, Buddhism remains as one of the worlds major religions and was founded by Siddhartha Buddha during the 6 th century BCE in what is now present-day India. Geographically, it quickly gained foothold in the surrounding countries.
Today, Buddhism is a predominant religion in Asia and is, as well, converting believers in the West (Fisher, 2002). Hinduism is probably the only religious tradition that is so varied in its theoretical grounds and sensible expressions that it is like a collection of religions. According to philosopher Jeaneane Fowler, Hinduism can by no means be tidily slotted into any exacting belief system. (The Uniqueness) Hinduism lacks some joint scheme of beliefs and ideas. It is an occurrence and represents a wide range of beliefs and practices which on one hand are similar to paganism, pantheism and the like, and on the other, very deep, theoretical, metaphysical ideas (The Basic). Although there are some foundation beliefs ordinary to almost all Hindus, there is actually no "Hindu orthodoxy" -- no firm and quick creed that all Hindus must believe. It is a family of slowly rising beliefs and practices.
Hinduism has its ancestry in the interrelationship of two essential religious systems: that of the very old civilization in the Indus River Valley from the 3 rd millennium B. C. and the religious viewpoint brought to India by the Aryan people (possibly from the Baltic region) who started penetrating the Indus Valley after 2000 B. C. (Rood). Meanwhile, since its onset, Buddhism has experienced several developments, at times drastic and radical, from the original teachings of Buddha. Since the transmission of Buddhism knowledge and tradition has done from word of mouth, no single set of learning was considered as orthodox.
Changes in Buddhism are also attributed to the missionary works of Buddhism monks in other countries wherein it has expanded upon and assimilated to local cultures in different regions. Buddhism, at present, has two primary divisions. One form of Buddhism is called the Theravada, or Way of the Elders and the other form is known as the Mahayana, the Greater Vehicle. The Theravada is considered as traditional Buddhism as they try to adhere to the original teachings.
A large concentration of Theravada's are located in Southeast Asia countries such Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. In the other hand, Mahanaya believers are concentrated in India, China and Japan. (Fisher, 2002). Hinduism does not have any one founder, and any one interior policy to which controversies can be referred to for declaration. It does not necessitate its followers to recognize any single idea, and therefore is cultural, not creed, with a history contemporary with the peoples with which it is linked. It is also marked by an approach which seems to contain religious and cultural approach other than one's own, and so is characterized by a rich diversity of ideas and practices resulting in what appears as an array of religions under one term 'Hinduism'. (The Uniqueness) Since it integrates a diversity of elements, Hinduism constitutes a multifaceted but mainly constant whole and has literary religious, economic, social, and artistic aspects. As a religion, Hinduism is a combination of varied ways of life. (Hinduism).
The central core of every Buddhist is to achieve nirvana, to escape the vicious cycle of samsara, a continuous cycle of life and death. It is perhaps, in a more general definition, a Western equivalent of heaven. Such condition can be achieved familiarizing and adhering to the certain guidelines of faith. Buddhists, first and foremost, interpret the world though the Four Noble Truths. Through meditation, the Buddha was able to analysis the underlying cause of suffering and outlook of existence. He first came to a conclusion that life is inevitably involves suffering and imperfection.
Siddhartha called this state as Duke. His second truth made him realized that the primary cause of human misery is desires. Our desire for sensory pleasure, for fame and glory, for stability and permanence, are all but hindrances in understanding the nature of things and the universe. The doctrine anna considered man not as separate and permanent entity but rather an energy process composed of momentary energy flashes, interconnected with all other beings and with the universe as energy processes. The third noble truth further emphasizes that the cessation of all earthly desire will consequently end suffering and misery. In realizing anna, nirvana is experienced.
Living a moral and ethical life is the only way to achieve self-realization. This, according to the Fourth Noble Truth can be attained through the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path consist of right understanding, right thoughts and motives, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation (Fisher, 2002). According to Hindu thinking, Brahman is the rule and foundation of the cosmos. This heavenly cleverness encompasses all beings, including the individual soul.
Brahman is the symbol of Hindu deities. Hinduism is based on the thought of reincarnation, in which all living beings, from plants on earth to gods above, are wedged in a space cycle of becoming and perishing. (Hinduism). Hinduism believes that life is determined by the rule of karma in which one is reborn to a higher height of existence based on ethical deeds in a preceding stage of survival. Life on earth is regarded as temporary and a burden.
The aim of existence is to liberate one from the cycle of reincarnation and death and access beyond description known as the condition of moksha (liberation). (Hinduism). Hindu scriptures demonstrate many goals in life including righteous living, wealth, love and happiness. Considered to be the ultimate goal is to achieve Nirvana. Many say that when one follows all these gods, he / she is assured of reaching real happiness in the Nirvana. Yoga and Buddhism evolved in the same culture of India. They are sister traditions and they adhere to the same principles and practices.
Some even regard these two as one and the same. There is a strong Buddhist influence on yoga. In the same manner, there are many yogic influences on Buddhism. (Frawley). From the Hindu deities, Shiva is the greatest of the Yogis or the so-called lord of Yoga. The Yoga Sutra has numerous references with the technical terms of Hindu and Vedic philosophy (Frawley). BIBLIOGRAPHY Fisher M.
P. (2002), Living Religions, 5 th edition, chapter 5. Prentice Hall. Frawley, D. (Vamadeva Shastri) Yoga and Buddhism. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web Hindu Political and Religious Critiques. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web Hinduism. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web Hinduism and the paths of liberation.
Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web Hindu Beliefs. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web History of Hinduism. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web Rood, R. Hinduism A Christian Perspective. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web Sivasiva, P. (1992). Hinduism Life-Affirming Or Life-Negating?
Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web The Religion. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web The Basic Tenets of Hinduism, An Introduction to Hinduism. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web The Uniqueness of this Way of Life, An Introduction to Hinduism. Accessed Sept. 17, 2007 at: web
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Research essay sample on Noble Eightfold Path Beliefs And Practices
