Hinduism and Buddhism essay
It is known that both Hinduism and Buddhism were originated in India, but Hinduism was founded in 1500 B.C., while Buddhism dates back to 500 B.C. These religions have very much in common, but at the same time they differ from each other. The relationship between two religions is based on the fact that Buddha’s parents were Hindus. Both religions have the major goal – to protect human beings from violence, harm and injustice. Both Hinduism and Buddhism practice meditation and breathing in order to acquire mindfulness. However, Buddhism and Hinduism have many differences.
First of all, there are some differences between gods and prophets of these two religions. It is known that the prophet Buddha was the founder of the Buddhist religion. In Hinduism, there is no any particular prophet or god who could be considered as the founder of Hinduism. According to this religion, there is all-time creator Brahman. Buddhism does not have the faith in a God who created the earth. It is known that the Hindus believe in about 300,000 gods. Moreover, Hinduism accepts the fact that Buddha was reincarnated of one of the gods of the Hindu trinity.
Secondly, there are some differences between Hinduism and Buddhism in relation to the view of the world. It is known that the view of the world in Buddhism is full of sorrow and sufferings. The Buddhists believe that their major goal – to help to exclude sorrow from human lives, while the Hindus believe that each person should pursue four aims in life, such as dharma or righteousness, artha or wealth, kama or desire, and moksha or salvation. Moreover, the Hindus believe in four major stages or ashrama in human life, such as student, householder, hermit and wanderer. In Buddhism, these ideas are not supported.
Thirdly, there are some differences between Hinduism and Buddhism concerning karma and rebirth of humans. It is known that both Hinduism and Buddhism have the faith in karma and rebirth, but in Buddhism, it is considered that reincarnation occurs due to the proper behavior and human actions in his current life. In Hinduism, it is believed that each human soul will be reincarnated into another human being. It means that Buddhists do not believe in reincarnation of souls, while the Hindus believe in Atman, which is translated as “self”, the individual soul of a human being, and in Brahman, the supreme universal Spirit or Creator.
Besides the above mentioned differences, there are some more significant features of both religions. In Buddhism, there is a monastic Order, where the monks live in groups, what cannot be found in Hinduism. In Hinduism, there is a belief in Vedas, composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, while in Buddhism, Vedas is not supported. It is known that the Hindus worship and pray to several gods and goddesses, while in Buddhism there are no some particular gods and goddesses, also their existence is not denied. The followers of Hinduism pray to all natural sources which can be found on the earth, such as sky, stones, water, sun etc. However, in Buddhism, the followers pray to Buddha. (Hinduism and Buddhism)
In conclusion, it is necessary to say that both Hinduism and Buddhism play an important role in the life of people because they help them to be better and to live honestly.
