Comparing Buddhism And The Four Noble Truths

Though existence of deities is a controversial topic among cultures around the world, the comparison of two religions in particular show the different outcomes of belief. Hinduism originated in 3102-1300 BCE in the Indus River Valley; Hindu belief says religion was a way of liberating the soul for the illusions and disappointments of (everyday) existence. Buddhism, on the other hand, originated in Nepal; Buddhists followed the Four Noble Truths: in life there is sorrow, sorrow comes from selfish desire, if desire is overcome sorrow is overcome, this can be achieved through the Eightfold Path. Though there are several differences between the two religions, the largest contrast would be within the belief and social system. Buddhists do not believe in a god, while Hindus, on the other hand, are polytheistic which why Buddhists do not have a caste system and Hindus do.

This structure is broken up into five parts: the brahmin, the kshatriya, the vaishya, the sudra, and the untouchables. The brahmin, which are at the top of the caste, are the priests. The kshatriya, which are right below the brahmin, are the warriors and rulers. The vaishya, which are above the sudra, are the merchants and landowners. The sudra, which are at the bottom of the caste, are the peasants and workers. The untouchables are outcasts who are considered to be out of the caste; they are not allowed to read from the Vedas (the holy scripture of Hinduism). In Buddhist society, however, there is not a caste system. Buddha disproved of the caste system which is directly shown in the Vasala Sutta, “Not by birth is one an outcast; not by birth is one a brahmin. By deed one becomes an outcast, by deed one becomes an brahmin.” Buddha thought people should be punished equally regardless of social class and considered it to be