Creationism Vs. Evolutionism
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Buddhism and Hinduism though 2 very different religions practiced by many different peoples, are also very similar. These religions did derive from thought and a mentality of all knowing truths. The similarities may have different meanings but a lot of the same thought and beliefs are practiced on both ends. Both Hinduism and Buddhism are more philosophical than religious. Both describe an all-encompassing philosophy and define existence itself.
For instance, the essential Hindu concept defining the individual and his responsibilities is dharma. A convoluted term, dharma are the rules in which you must follow in society. One must fulfill his roles in society and the world. Such responsibilities include reproduction and caste duties, but extend into the philosophical realm of peaceful and humble acceptance of ones position. Dharma defines correct living for a Hindu. Buddhism has a similar concept, dhamma, they even have similar pronunciation. Dhamma does not imply specific social rules, but maintains comparable philosophical beliefs. The Buddhist definition of right conduct and personal obligation, dhamma is the path which must be taken to escape the suffering of worldly life.
Other similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism are easier to see. Both religions maintain a broad perspective of religious worship; they are very indirect about it in their teachings. Hinduism is polytheistic while Buddhism maintains no structured belief in an independent; Buddha himself did not want to be worshipped. Either of these concepts creates a religion which can adjust and conform to local tradition and adaptations in intellectual and spiritual thought. Both religions believe in a system of reincarnation..
Where the religions totally differ is Hinduisms caste system creates a sense of no escape for its low caste members. Buddhism concentrates on the individuals release from suffering, implying no overriding social definition. The caste system divides the Hindu people into four major classes, Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra, and “untouchables,” or people outside of all the classes. Members of certain castes have certain duties. Caste is determined by birth, allowing no social advancement, career choice, or individual freedom. Basically it sucks. Caste, then, determines ones profession, ones potential education, ones social position, even defining these limitations for your children. These social limitations are reinforced by the concept that caste is determined by sins or virtues in a previous life: how well one fulfilled his dharma in the past. Or just how lucky you are.
Buddhism, on the other hand, plays little role in the social or political structure of a society. It totally opposes Hinduisms social beliefs. Buddhism actually began as a reaction to the violence of Hindu society, including the brutality of the caste system. Buddhism concentrates not on the society, but on the individual, thus divorcing religion from the interests of the ruling atmosphere. . Although Buddhism does see life as pain and suffering and reincarnation as a renewal of this suffering, there is a potential escape. If one renounces his attachment to desire and self, Nirvana, or escape from the cycles of suffering, is possible. The most important aspect of Nirvana, however, is its unrestricted access to people of any social background. In other words, although a Hindu “untouchable” cannot possibly advance in this life through any extraordinary effort of his own, any Buddhist can achieve Nirvana through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, realizations of the essence of suffering and the methods to remove all suffering.
Buddhism also seems to be less ritualistic and deity-dependent than Hinduism. Cultures across the world have created gods to emphasize the dignity and purpose of human existence.. While Hinduism has man shaped gods to emphasize human dignity, Buddhism manages to instill a respect for humanity through the intellectual and spiritual capacity of man. This is evidenced by the supreme respect Buddhist have for those who achieve Nirvana,, recognizing their