Buddism -vs- Hinduism

Buddhism vs Hinduism Hinduism and Buddhism are the two main religions of Ancient India. Both religions share
Common beliefs but also have their differences. Some differences are the deities worshipped, the founders of the religions, sacred writings observed, and meditation practices. Through out this essay we will explore and compare the similarities and the differences in both of these religions.
Hinduism Religion In the Hindu religion, the founder was not one person alone. It is believed by historians that the Aryans developed Hinduism over 3500 years ago. The Hindu religion was developed around the caste system. The caste system was the social class of India. At the top to the caste system were the Brahmins or the priests. Below them were the warriors followed by the merchants, the farm workers and lastly the laborers or “untouchables” (Zysk 1996). Important books of the Hindu religion are the Vedas. The Hindus are polytheistic, or they believe in many gods (Fisher 2002). The ultimate goal in the Hinduism religion is to escape samsara (karma wheel of birth, death, and rebirth) and achieve moksha or the liberation from the limitations of space, time, and matter through realization of the immortal Absolute (Fisher 2002). The Hindu religion has many priests and religious rituals. Some of these rituals include, yoga. There are four main yogic paths; raja, jnana, karma, and bhakti. Raja yoga, attempts to attain the highest consciousness using physical postures and breathing exercises. The goal is to make the mind absolutely calm and clear. Jnana yoga “the way of wisdom”, addresses the rational mind by asking one self “Who am I” and developing spiritual virtues. The ultimate wisdom is spiritual insight rather than intellectual knowledge (Fisher 2002). Karma yoga is service rendered without any interest in its effects and without any personal sense of giving. And the last path is Bhakti yoga, the path of devotion, to share a relationship with the Supreme. Though there are many deities worshipped in the Hindu religion there are three major groupings: Vaishnavites, who worship the god Vishnu, Saivites who worship the god Siva, and Saktas who worship a goddess (Fisher 2002). Hinduism is still important and followed by the people of India today.
Buddhism Religion In the Buddhism religion, there was only one founder. Siddhartha Gantina founded Buddhism in 560 B.C. At the age of twenty nine Prince Siddhartha renounced his wealth and position as heir to his fathers throne, left his wife and baby, shaved his head, put on a robe and started his spiritual journey (Gyatso, 2007). After Siddhartha experienced Supreme Enlightenment he became a Buddha, an enlightened being. Buddhists rejected the caste system. Instead they focused on individuals. Important literatures of the Buddhist religion are the Pali Canon. Buddhists have no gods and the ultimate goal is to achieve nirvana (Gyatso, 2007). They believe if you follow the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, you will live a great life and obtain nirvana. The Four Noble Truths state: Life inevitably involves suffering, is imperfect and unsatisfactory, suffering originates in our desires, suffering will cease if all desires cease, and there is a way to realize this state: the Nobel Eightfold Path (Fisher, 2002). The Noble Eightfold Path includes: first, one should have a right understanding, or ability to comprehend reality correctly through deep realization of the Four Nobel Truths. Second, is to have right thoughts or motives, uncovering any “unwholesome” emotional roots behind our thinking. Third, is right speech, gossip, tale bearing, harsh word, lying and boasting is not to be practiced. Fourth, is right action, observing the five basic precepts for moral conduct: avoid destroying life, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants. Fifth is right livelihood, being sure that one’s way of making a living does not violate the five precepts. Sixth, is right effort, continual striving to cut off “unwholesome states,” past, present, and future. Seventh is right mindfulness, being aware in every moment. And the eighth factor is right meditation, applies mental discipline to the quieting of the mind itself (Fisher, 2002). Buddhist’s believe if you follow these Truths and Paths you will obtain Nirvana. Nirvana is the ultimate egoless state of bliss (Fisher, 2002). Buddhism is important throughout Asia, and is growing in the United States.
Similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism Hinduism and Buddhism share some of the following similarities. Both emphasize the illusory nature of the world and the role of karma. According to Buddha, desire is the root cause of suffering and removal of desire results in the cessation of suffering. Some Hindu texts such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita consider doing actions prompted by desire and attachment would lead to bondage and suffering. Both believe in the existence of several hells and heavens or higher and lower worlds. Buddhism and Hinduism believe in the detachment, renunciation of worldly life as a precondition to enter to spiritual life. Both religions believe people should live moral, non-violent lives, or ahimsa. Both religions accept reincarnation, which is the belief that after someone passes away, their soul, comes back to life in another body. The goal of life is to be united with an all powerful, spiritual force. They both believe animals are sacred (Jayarn, 2008).
Conclusion
It is amazing how two different religions can share so many beliefs and disagree on many other beliefs. Hinduism and Buddhism are very similar and very different. Both religions are being practiced today, in India and around the world. The studies of both of these religions are important when understanding the individuals and societies in which embrace them. It should also be noted there are many different traditions and practices recognized in both of these religions, which depends greatly on the geographical location of the society in which the religion is being examined.

References
Fisher, M. (2002). Living Religions A Brief Introduction. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Gyatso, G.K. 2007. Life of Buddha-Siddhartha is born. Retrieved on May 7, 2008 from http://www.aboutbuddha.org/english/life-of-buddha.htm/
Jayaran, V. Hinduism and Buddhism. Retrieved May 10, 2008, from http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_buddhism.
Zysk, K., (1996). Classifying the universe: the ancient indian varna system and the origins of caste. The Journal of Asian Studies. Vol. 55, Iss. 3; pg. 770

References: Fisher, M. (2002). Living Religions A Brief Introduction. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Gyatso, G.K. 2007. Life of Buddha-Siddhartha is born. Retrieved on May 7, 2008 from http://www.aboutbuddha.org/english/life-of-buddha.htm/ Jayaran, V. Hinduism and Buddhism. Retrieved May 10, 2008, from http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_buddhism. Zysk, K., (1996). Classifying the universe: the ancient indian varna system and the origins of caste. The Journal of Asian Studies. Vol. 55, Iss. 3; pg. 770