Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism, two of the most powerful and profound religions of the world, both emerged in the Indian subcontinent, having similar roots. In similarity to Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism emphasized compassion and non-violence toward all living beings, also believing in the cycle of death and rebirth, called Samasara also known as reincarnation; However, what components exactly makes these two religions so different? Although both greatly influential religions of India believed in the concept of karma and reincarnation, they differed extremely in three main areas, the acceptance of authority, the belief of supernatural and their prospective of reincarnation. Hindus in India were divided into a caste system, a separation of society …show more content…
Reincarnation is acknowledged as a gift because an individual can not perfect themselves in only one lifetime. Hindus believe all living things possess an Atman, a soul that survives lifetime after lifetime, a concept dissimilar from Buddhist beliefs of reincarnation. Although the Hinduism religion involved speculation distinguishing a persons soul was separate from the body, speculation was avoided completely in Theravada Buddhism. Greed for views such as, whether the world is eternal or not eternal, whether the world is finite or not, whether the soul is the same as the body or whether the soul is one thing and another, whether a Buddha exists after death or does not exist after death, tends to not improve a person morally or intellectually (Smith 95). Since all these questions of speculation were avoided, Theravada Buddhisms perception of reincarnation is understood as consciousness, demonstrating endlessly in new forms. Buddhist believe a life released of attachments promotes rebirth into a higher consciousness, a step closer to