Around the world, there are countless divergent religions and philosophies influencing people and societies by diversity. This essay could review other religions; nevertheless, by examining Hinduism versus Buddhism. Both contain philosophical and religious beliefs; moreover, these religions existed, side-by-side, in ancient India. “They are widely practised and have survived for centuries” (Nandan & Jangubhai, 2013, p. 27).
Hinduism was very different before the time of Buddha (Joshi L. M., 1970); consequently, there is no known founder. The two major Hindu beliefs are reincarnation together with karma, making Hinduism a polytheistic [to believe, in more than one god] religion. In Hindu belief, to achieve a social position and a caste system depends on the deeds Hindus have done in previous lives. “For, in that case, death is certain for the born, and rebirth is inevitable for the dead. You should not, therefore, grieve over the inevitable. As the sun rises every morning and sets every evening, birth and death can’t be avoided or prevented” (Bharati & Tyagi, 2014, p. 121). Although Hinduism has many gods with the same face, also the same personality as one god, that god is Brahma, the creator of the Earth. Hindus strive to reach Moksha [emancipation, liberation and release from life and death]; consequently, obtaining Moksha only after many reincarnations or rebirths over many lifetimes. Buddhism’s founder was Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who abdicated his right to his Father’s throne. Buddha wanted enlightenment; he encountered a sick man, an old man, a dead man and an ascetic [monk] all of who suffered. He wandered through forests, lived like a caveman, meditating, all the while, then he spent several years studying under Hindu priests. Buddha did not achieve enlightenment until he was thirty-five years old. Buddhists believe that to achieve Nirvana [the goal of the Buddhist path or wisdom], you must go through many rebirths, whereas Hindus believe in Moksha, also, after, having lived many lives. Both concepts are similar because the meaning of life and death is understood. Buddha found Four Noble Truths, which enabled Buddhists to achieve happiness, including suffering. To achieve Nirvana, a person must give up all thought of achievement and desire, living life in poverty. Buddhist has never believed in a caste system [division of social classes]; therefore, the first followers of Buddha were of a low caste, for example, labourers, commoners and there were also atheists [people who believed in no gods]. Looking at a segment from Basic Points of Buddhism, states, “We do not believe that this world is created or ruled by a god” and …show more content…
Rebirth is a fundamental belief of Buddhists who believe in a never-ending sequence of birth, death and rebirth, broken only by attaining Nirvana. Reincarnation is not a Buddhist belief, nevertheless, both religions believe in a similar concept, Nirvana and Moksha. Achieving Nirvana or Moksha allows people to become happy, non-violent and tolerant. Buddhists have no belief in gods or even a god. Buddhists use statues as meditation objects, whereas Hindus believe in the concept of several gods with one face and that god is Brahma the creator of the Earth. Consequently, leading to the opinion that Hindus believe in only one god, with many personalities. Buddhism’s place of origin is the Indian subcontinent whereas the Hindu religion originated in northern India; ancient India was the birthplace of
Hinduism was very different before the time of Buddha (Joshi L. M., 1970); consequently, there is no known founder. The two major Hindu beliefs are reincarnation together with karma, making Hinduism a polytheistic [to believe, in more than one god] religion. In Hindu belief, to achieve a social position and a caste system depends on the deeds Hindus have done in previous lives. “For, in that case, death is certain for the born, and rebirth is inevitable for the dead. You should not, therefore, grieve over the inevitable. As the sun rises every morning and sets every evening, birth and death can’t be avoided or prevented” (Bharati & Tyagi, 2014, p. 121). Although Hinduism has many gods with the same face, also the same personality as one god, that god is Brahma, the creator of the Earth. Hindus strive to reach Moksha [emancipation, liberation and release from life and death]; consequently, obtaining Moksha only after many reincarnations or rebirths over many lifetimes. Buddhism’s founder was Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who abdicated his right to his Father’s throne. Buddha wanted enlightenment; he encountered a sick man, an old man, a dead man and an ascetic [monk] all of who suffered. He wandered through forests, lived like a caveman, meditating, all the while, then he spent several years studying under Hindu priests. Buddha did not achieve enlightenment until he was thirty-five years old. Buddhists believe that to achieve Nirvana [the goal of the Buddhist path or wisdom], you must go through many rebirths, whereas Hindus believe in Moksha, also, after, having lived many lives. Both concepts are similar because the meaning of life and death is understood. Buddha found Four Noble Truths, which enabled Buddhists to achieve happiness, including suffering. To achieve Nirvana, a person must give up all thought of achievement and desire, living life in poverty. Buddhist has never believed in a caste system [division of social classes]; therefore, the first followers of Buddha were of a low caste, for example, labourers, commoners and there were also atheists [people who believed in no gods]. Looking at a segment from Basic Points of Buddhism, states, “We do not believe that this world is created or ruled by a god” and …show more content…
Rebirth is a fundamental belief of Buddhists who believe in a never-ending sequence of birth, death and rebirth, broken only by attaining Nirvana. Reincarnation is not a Buddhist belief, nevertheless, both religions believe in a similar concept, Nirvana and Moksha. Achieving Nirvana or Moksha allows people to become happy, non-violent and tolerant. Buddhists have no belief in gods or even a god. Buddhists use statues as meditation objects, whereas Hindus believe in the concept of several gods with one face and that god is Brahma the creator of the Earth. Consequently, leading to the opinion that Hindus believe in only one god, with many personalities. Buddhism’s place of origin is the Indian subcontinent whereas the Hindu religion originated in northern India; ancient India was the birthplace of