Contrast The Impact Of Hinduism And Buddhism On Ancient Civilizations

Hinduism and Buddhism both had an immense effect on ancient civilizations such as China and India. They changed people’s outlook on life, both say that one should be good and follow his role in life; this gave people a purpose to work. While Hinduism believed in reincarnation by a person deeds in the last life, Buddhism focused on breaking the reincarnation cycle. Hinduism and Buddhism both believe in the concept of reincarnation but Hinduism focuses on climbing the levels of the caste system while Buddhism focuses on breaking the cycle and becoming one with the universe. They both spread to different areas but by similar methods, and they both encouraged one to follow their job in life, leading to people following a specific system of society. The effects of these religions made much of the East the way it is, even today it still affects these areas.
Hinduism believes that reincarnation into a higher caste is the ultimate goal of life, while Buddhism believes that becoming one with the universe is the goal.
Hinduism doesn’t have a founder, but is a collection of ideas. In Hinduism, a person is supposed to follow the job of their caste, or their dharma. The Hindus also polytheistic, but primarily believe in Brahman, the creator of the universe. Buddhism focuses mostly on ethics but still acknowledges multiple gods. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama; his belief was to give up all worldly desires to achieve enlightenment. These concepts are both significant because Hindus perform their duties while Buddhists try to achieve enlightenment, leading to two different lifestyles. Both are very strict but Hinduism seperates people by their social
class.

Hinduism believes in the caste system, a system of social levels, while Buddhism says that everybody is equal, but we must give up pleasures. Hindus believe that when one is born into a caste, he must fulfill his dharma. They believe that if one is true to his duties, he will be reincarnated into a higher caste. This led to distinct barriers in between social classes and people treating others bad because they are of a lower class. In Buddhism, everyone is equal and people strive to rid themselves of worldly desires. This leads to a society in which people are caring for others and see everyone as an equal.

The two religions spread in similar ways, but to different regions of the East. Hinduism spread through missionaries and traders. Hinduism spread throughout India but didn’t extend far beyond its borders. Hinduism remains the major religion in India even today. Buddhism was spread by missionaries, traders and his followers spreading his texts after death. Buddhism spread throughout much of Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. It is still a major religion in these areas. The religions spread to different areas because the Hindus were occupying India and most refused to convert, so Buddhism spread eastward.

Buddhism and Hinduism both share some basic beliefs but in essence are different. Buddhism believing in becoming one with the universe, while Hinduism believing that one must try to get higher in the caste in the next life. Hindus believe in the caste system and strictly follow it, but Buddhists believe everyone is equal. Hinduism is based mostly in India and Buddhism is in eastern Asia. Both religions have shaped areas of our world today, the caste system holding up in India until the late 1900’s and the beliefs of Buddhism still practiced by monks today.