Hinduism Vs Buddhism Research Paper

When comparing the major similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism, the first question that comes to mind is, are they religions or philosophies? One of the definitions of religion is the belief and/or worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. Philosophy is defined as the theoretical study of knowledge, reality and existence. In civics class they teach you that the United States government defines a cult as an organization that elevates/worships a human entity, object, or system to the status of God. In Europe, they are called sects. So, we will examine the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism, comparatively, to illuminate the core beliefs of these religions. Aside from the mythology of these

This writer’s education states that reincarnation does not account for the 5 million people in 8000 B.C. and the 10 billion in the year 2050 C.E. Recycling does not mathematically add up to account for the disparity in reincarnation replenishment. What do Hindus and Buddhists get for their sacrifice? Hindus want to achieve moksha.” Moksha is liberation from samsara—the continuous cycle of death and rebirth, and the this-worldly realm in which this cycle recurs.”(Brodd et al. 138) Buddhists are called to “nirvana”, the state of non-being to which all suffering has ended.(Brodd et al. 153) Little is taught about nirvana, since it is said is has to be experienced. The self -imposed barriers for achievement are as different as their definition of God. Hindus reach enlightenment by following the Path of Knowledge, the Path of Devotion or the Path of Good Deeds. By affirming” …. the Laws of Manu, the repository of dharma ….is said to repay three debts of life…” (Brood et al. 104) Buddhists contend that” Only those who continue to thirst for things and seek to satisfy their desire through attachment to them are reborn in samsara (Pali , “perpetual wandering” …” (Brood et al. 153) Buddhists will not know if they have achieved their goal or not. If they did, they won’t be back. If they didn’t, then they won’t remember because their “self” does not get reborn

99, 151), I cannot ascribe validity to religions that benevolence is not the number one precept of that church. In Hinduism, Brahman is a non- personal God that encompasses many entities including the god within each believer. Buddhism leads followers to embrace the teaching to achieve nothing. I will avoid calling them cults due to respect of the institutions. Buddhism and Hinduism lack the fundamental understanding of man and how evil he is. The salvation that other regions ascribe to are benevolent gifts from God that take evil into consideration and the true nature of man. Monks are not evil because it would require them to be part of society. Having a dogma that seeks to neuter man’s manifest destiny by sitting and praying all the time would stop civilization. Realizing that many may disagree with my viewpoint I would “…invite doubters to test his teachings to see for themselves if they had merit” (Broom et al. 148) For as philosophers and philosophy goes, Hinduism and Buddhism are enlightened paths and recommended for everyone to read and learn from. People need to judge for themselves if these “Eastern Philosophies” are religions or vice