Angela Dykstra

Hinduism and Buddhism

As the Iron Age began its decline around 1000 BCE, many new belief systems

and cultural changes were occurring around the known world. The Roman Empire was

beginning its rise while ancient Egypt was in decline. With the world undergoing a

significant shift in its power-base, the birth of multiple new religious studies emerged. As

the world came into its new order, Confucianism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, and

Buddhism were born (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2007).

The term “Hinduism” was originally a categorical classification introduced by

colonial Britain for census taking. This broad yet philosophically similar umbrella term

offers the seeker many alternative pathways to awareness. Although Hindu religious

foundations are firmly rooted in an unrecorded ancient past and its many diverse channels

to the Divine remain in practice today, a principle common philosophy runs constant:

Truth has many sides and the Divine has many faces. Today, these various forms of

worship and commune with Brahman (creator of all that is) are labeled Sanatana Dharma

meaning: The ageless religion (Fisher, 2005).

Buddhism, founded by Prince Siddhartha Gautama of India, evolved around the

study of suffering. Buddha began his quest with two questions: Why does suffering exist

and what can be done to end it. Buddha addressed the subject of suffering in his doctrine

Four Noble Truths and provided its cure in his teachings contained in the Eightfold Path.

Enlightenment, Buddha taught, was the pathway to nirvana. Nirvana, according to

Buddha is a state of being free from suffering and available to anyone that incorporates

into his or, her daily life the Eightfold Path of correct living (Fisher, 2005; Moore-Bruder,

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2005).

Hinduism has its roots in a caste system while Buddhism does not discriminate

against a follower based upon gender or economical status. However, while Buddha was

clear in his teachings regarding equality in ones ability to achieve enlightenment, only

recently were women officially recognized within its priesthood. While Hinduism

promotes a spirit of tolerance, said tolerance is often first afforded to the male upper class

(Fisher, 2005).

Karma and reincarnation hold significant importance in both philosophies.

Hinduism and Buddhism both look at karma as the continually spinning wheel in the

reincarnation cycle. Hinduism hopes to escape the endless karmic cycle of life, death, and

rebirth by releasing oneself from the desire of earthly existence. Upon achieving release,

the follower will transcend time, space, and matter while communing with the singular

oneness of Brahman: The immortal Absolute.

Buddhism teaches that karma is an action or deed, which leaves trace effects upon

future lifetimes. Buddhism uses the concept of karma to illustrate that the condition and

state of one’s life is of one’s own making. Additionally, an action undertaken or ignored

today (ethical or not) will have far-reaching future effects. Enlightenment requires

mediation, the quieting of human desires, overcoming ignorance, and acknowledging

ones body and mind are not the true self. Achieving enlightenment will end the karmic

life cycle on the doorstep of Nirvana (Fisher, 2005; Moore-Bruder, 2005).

In closing, when this student delved into world religions, she subscribed loosely

with the outer trappings of Hinduism as understood by her biased and limited American

viewpoint. As she studied Buddhism, she felt a certain kinship to this belief also.

However, after discovering the negative and sometimes deadly treatment of women and

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girls, this student moved away from Hinduism. As she studied Buddhism, she discovered

the behavior of its founder unacceptable. Intentional abandonment perpetrated by the

head of the household certainly brought suffering to his wife and son (Fisher, 2005;

Moore-Bruder, 2005).

Hinduism is a freely chosen expressive experience by its individual membership.

Buddhism is often a solitary pursuit designed to calm the various anxious waters of

human existence. Buddhism teaches non-violent conflict resolution, equality among all

beings, and adherence to only eight ethically moral codes. Buddhism, in this student’s

opinion is easier for human sheeple to follow because it has some defined doctrine and a

central easy to understand philosophy.

References

Encyclopedia Britannica (2007). Online. The Iron Age. Retrieved February 5, 2008 from

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9042796/Iron-Age

Fisher, M. P. (2005). Living Religions. (Sixth ed.), Hinduism (pp. 69-113). Upper Saddle

River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Moore, B. and Bruder, K. (2005). Philosophy: The Power of Ideas. (Sixth ed.), Part Four.

Columbus, OH: The McGraw-Hill Companies.