Buddhism & Hinduism: Comparisons and Contractions

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Religion is very important in the cultural system of every society. It is said to be a well built faith in a mystical power occurring in the supernatural state.

Every person is supposed to adhere with the beliefs and the customs involved in his or her faith on the spiritual base. There are different types of religions but this discussion focuses on just two: Buddhism and Hinduism. These two religions happened to originate in one region in that they share some terminologies which are alike.

Their goals are however different on their practices even though they share a lot on the faith (Eliot 15). The following discussion therefore, is inclusive of the comparisons and contractions between these two religions with their differences during their childhoods and the way they were raised.

To start with the two religions share many things in their beliefs in that they both believe in rebirth which is determined by the actions one does in the daily life.

This is where there is rebirth of the individual’s soul into any life form. They both believe that it is individual’s responsibility to work out on his salvation which is dependent on his good actions (Eliot 9). Basing on enlightenment they both believe that it is possible to attain it through rising above individual’s way of thinking and the desires as well as controlling individual’s six senses.

It is a common belief on the pain one achieves through too much attachment to people and the worldly things, both therefore advocate in freeing oneself out of the fantasies of the worldly desires. Meditation is a common emphasis to both faiths which liberates an individual; enhance concentration in life and enlightenment .They also practices the tantric practices (Georg and Peter 731).

There are contradictions on their beliefs such that in Buddhism godly figures are not involved in their belief basing on the original doctrinal principles even though there is some introduction of Godly figures by the later believers. On the other hand in Hinduism there are 300,000 Gods which are believed in.

These two religions are also different on their foundations which are referred as their childhood state. On Hinduism there is no complete certainty of on who started it and where. It is also believed that this religion originated from the Vedas which were written at about 1000 years Before Christ even though they were still on existence for a long period but in oral form.

In Buddhism there is complete certainty of who founded it- the Siddartha Gautama who is known as Buddha. At first he did not intend to create any new religion as he had left for the meditation to modify Hinduism where he became Buddha as his answer thus the foundation of Buddhism (Bhaskar 5).

There are complex rituals performed in Hinduism from the day one is born till death where priests play a very significant role when carrying these roles. On the other hand Buddhism practices these rituals in worship forms without involvement of the priest. Hinduism follows the caste system and believes in excessive asceticism but Buddhism does not pursue caste system and rejects the excessive asceticism.

In Buddhism there are no stages that one has to go through in life where one is given freedom to join any depending on the preparedness while in Hinduism there are four stages that one must go through in life which follow in this order: student, family, leaving of the worldly wishes and meditation stage awaiting truth and death. Finally, despite all these differences the two religions play important roles on them that practice them in their way of life (Williams 523).

Work Cited

Bhaskar, V. S. Faith & philosophy of Buddhism. New York: Gyan Publishing House, 2009.

Eliot, Charles. Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3). New York: Echo Library, 2007.

Eliot, Charles. Hinduism and Buddhism, Volume . New York: BiblioBazaar, LLC, 2008.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Peter C. Hodgson. Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion: Determinate Religion. New York: University of California Press, 1996.

Williams, Monier. Buddhism – In Its Connexion with Brahmanism and Hinduism and in Its Contrast with Christianity. New York: READ BOOKS, 2007.

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Buddhism & Hinduism: Comparisons and Contractions

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