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Comparative Analysis Between Hinduism and Buddhism
Comparative Analysis Between Hinduism and Buddhism
Comparative Analysis Between Hinduism and Buddhism
BUDDHISM
Buddhism and Hinduism have a common past, and while there are many similar beliefs between the two
religions, there are just as many differences between the Buddhist and Hindu religions.
DEVOTION TO GOD
Hinduism, which has thousands of gods and goddesses, is for the most part actually a monotheistic
religion. Each god is seen as one manifestation of the one Supreme God.
In Hinduism, each family will be devoted to a particular deity. Most Hindus practice devotion (bhakti) to
either a form of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva. They see this as one essential part of religious practice.
The Buddha, on the other hand, taught that we should not concern ourselves with worship or devotion
to a particular God. The Buddha did not deny the existence of a Supreme God: he just said that we are
responsible for our on enlightenment, and not to believe that a supreme being could help us.
The Buddha did decry the practice of animal sacrifices in devotional acts to the gods and goddesses that
were commonplace. Eventually, this belief in the sacredness of all life spread to Hinduism, and animal
sacrifice became the exception instead of the norm. In fact, the Buddha's impact on Hinduism was so
strong that followers of Vishnu believe that the Buddha was one of Vishnu's avatars (a being that helps
humanity in times of distress). Buddhists do not share this belief.
MEDITATION AND YOGA
Both Buddhism and Hinduism believe strongly in developing awareness and mental concentration in the
spiritual quest. In Buddhism, meditation is near ubiquitous, with insight meditation (Vipassana) being
the most emphasized form of meditation. Buddhist monks are expected to spend hours each day in
meditation, while the lay people are expected to practice regularly, and are free to attend meditation
sessions at local temples. The Mahayana Schools of Buddhism also emphasize Metta (compassion)
meditation.
Origin Differences
Hinduism is based on the Vedas & Upanishads, written texts. Buddhism developed as a result of
questioning the concepts of Hinduism.
Views on God
Differences:
Hindus believe in multiple gods.
Buddhists do not believe in a creator.
Views on Nature
Differences:
Hinduism believes nature is something to be controlled and done so by the gods.
Buddhism believes the universe always was and is perfect, not in need of control.
Differences in Focuses & Practices
Differences:
Hinduism focuses on devotion to the gods. Appeasing the gods ensures their favor.
Buddhism focuses on the teachings of the Buddha and practice meditation.
Concepts of the Soul
Differences:
Hinduism believes the soul, or jiva, exists and one is reincarnated according to one's Karma.
Buddhism believes in no soul - more like an "essence" in human beings and all other living
things that is reborn in various ways.
Way to Salvation / Enlightenment
Differences:
Hinduism believes in salvation. Be righteous and perform good deeds.
Buddhism believes in enlightenment. Be compassionate.
Reality and Time
Differences:
Hinds believe in a timeless reality, that there is a realm beyond the everyday world.
Buddhists reject the notion of a timeless reality. They believe that everything is interconnected.
How reincarnation ends
Differences:
Hinduism believes that Moksha, or enlightenment, is salvation. A constant reincarnation cycle
is experienced until Moksha is obtained.
Buddhism believes in Nirvana, a place of peaceful acceptance. Reincarnation cycle until Nirvana
is reached but some choose to be reborn to continue to help others.
Similarity in Origin
Both religions developed in India and are two of the oldest religions.
Language
Similarity:
Both Hinduism and Buddhism use Sanskrit.
Statues
Similarity:
Both religions use statues as representations.
Similar view on Reincarnation
Similarity:
Both believe in reincarnation and that it is possible to end the cycle through some type of
enlightenment.
Similarity in Doctrines
Buddhism's Three-Body Doctrine is similar to Hinduism. The "cosmic Buddha nature" is
similar to Brahman.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN SHINTOISM,
CONFUCIANISM, DAOISM OR TAOISM
Shinto refers to the indigenous beliefs of the Japanese people, a religion that is practiced
alongside Buddhism today by most people in Japan. The Shinto religion is based on belief in
a world of spirits, or kami, which are worshipped and communicated with at shrines and
through religious rites. Although much about its origins are unclear, Shinto has been
influenced by the Chinese religions of Taoism and Confucianism throughout history.
Origins
As Japan's indigenous religion, Shinto is believed to date back to ancient times, before the
establishment of large-scale cultural contact between Japan and China. However, since
Japan had no writing system before adopting Chinese characters, there are no written
records from that earlier period. The earliest Shinto writings include abundant connections
to Taoist beliefs, but it is impossible to know which concepts already existed in Shinto and
which were adopted directly from Taoism.
Citing Taoism
Despite the lack of clarity on the origin of many concepts, there are some very clear Taoist
influences in Japan's earliest Shinto writings, such as the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki. These
works were written using Chinese characters and use references to Taoist legends and
writings to illustrate Shinto beliefs. Meanwhile, some forms of Shinto explicitly incorporate
Taoist teachings and rituals into their practices. One form, known as Ise Shinto, actually
cites the Taoist scripture of the Dao De Jing in one of its religious texts.
Taoist Beliefs
Some concepts in Shinto are apparently taken directly from Taoism, such as the idea that
there is a fundamental yin-yang duality in nature. Beliefs regarding the classification of
matter into five types also were adopted from Taoism, as were various ideas about the
relationship between people and heaven. The Shinto belief that the supernatural world is
governed by an organized hierarchical system of deities has been attributed to Taoism as
well. Some Taoist deities were directly adopted into Shinto, such as the Lord of Mount Tai,
who serves as the ruler of fate from his peak in the east.
Confucian Influences
Confucianism, a system of moral teachings that also originates in ancient China, also has at
times been mixed with the Shinto religion. Japan's Ritsuryo law code of the seventh and
eight centuries adopted concepts from Confucianism, and centuries late r Confucian thought
became the basis of a new school of Shinto known as Juka Shinto. The Tokugawa
shogunate, which came to rule feudal Japan in 1600, adopted Confucianism as its official
ideology, thus adding a Confucian flavor to Shinto practices that continued during that
period.
Common features of eastern religions
mostly on the continent of asia
look more like philosophies than religions
more about ethics than about giving honor or service to a God
humanity is generally viewed as good and noble
no concept of salvation by a god; your sin is pardoned as you seek to change your inappropriate
behavior
jesus is just another person who taught a moral lifestyle similar to theirs
Confucianism: confucius
born in china in 551 bc
lived in a time of immorality and militarism
tried to lead a political/civil reforms, by talking with local rulers about peace, equity and
fairness
starting a religious movement was not his intent
his fame and wisdom spread, but primarily as a teacher of morality
died in 479 bc
Taoism: beginnings
founder: Laozi (6th century bc in china)
holy writing: daodejing
what began as a social philosophy became the state religion by 5th century ad
coexisted with buddhism and Confucianism
Shinto: beginnings
located in japan, no clear date of origin
became mixed with other religions from china
Shinto: two major changes
Meiji restoration (1868): Shinto rites were separated from buddhism, a vehicle for japanese
nationalism, promoted the divine nature of the emperor
a new direction (1945): after WWII, Shinto broke its ties to the state, emperor Hirohito
renounced his claim to divinity
Shinto: worship
occurs in everyday life (assimilated into Japanese customs and traditions, though separate from
the state it's still part of their culture)
occurs in the shrines (over 80000 in japan, open daily, no special day of worship, many rituals)
occurs through many festivals (like national holidays throughout the country, most famous are
the cherry blossom festival and New Year's Day)