Comparison of Two Religions essayEssay Writing Service

Comparison of Two Religions essayEssay Writing Service Comparison of Two Religions essay Comparison of Two Religions essayBuddhism and Hinduism have common roots. Both religions originated in India, and they are genetically related. However, Buddhism has absorbed the traditions of many peoples of the East during the long history of its formation, and nowadays it is considered not just a religion but a doctrine of enlightenment. Thus, the main aim of the assignment is to compare two religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism on the base of specific criteria.Observing geographical origin of each religion, it is possible to note that the area of ​​the emergence and spread of Hinduism is Indian subcontinent, and most people professing this religion live in the Republic of India. Smelcer (2013) said that Buddhism, in its turn, also has developed in India in the context of Indian philosophy and religion, but Buddhism has spread all over the world and members of this religion can be found in any country. Thus, Buddhism is a monotheistic religion, philosophical doctri ne of spiritual awakening, the teaching of the Enlightened One. Hinduism is a polytheistic ancient Vedic religion, the set of traditions and schools of thought emerged and spread across the Indian subcontinent.Observing some practices of these two religions, it becomes obvious that according to Hindu teachings, the whole world is samsara, an endless series of rebirths. World is an illusion. But there exists a real world, which is ruled by the Absolute beyond samsara. According to Bonin (2012), all attention in Buddhism is focused on contemplation of the own spirit. Hinduism, in its turn, is the religion of the soul, tending to the Absolute, while Buddhism rejects God and the soul. This is a kind of hidden atheism.The ultimate goal of personality in Hinduism is to break the karmic chain of rebirths, to break out of samsara and connect with the Absolute. It is possible to do this only through austerity, self-denial and psychological training. The basic idea of Buddhism is the passing of life by the middle way between asceticism and pleasure as the two extremes. The ultimate goal of by the middle way is Nirvana the highest state of grace.In Hinduism, the amount of good and bad deeds in a previous rebirth is called karma. Belonging to a particular caste is also subjected to karma, and nobody can dispute with the destiny. Some calls for social equality or social justice sound strange for Hinduism, and representatives of the higher caste of priests have the best chances to break out of samsara. Buddhism professes the principle of equality in opportunities to grasp the supreme grace. It does not favor caste distribution of the society, focusing solely on the individual characteristics of the person.In such a way, it can be mentioned that Hinduism is the national religion of the Indians. This religion is unthinkable without India. Buddhism is the non-national religion. It is widely practiced by the people with very different cultural traditions. Buddhism is different ly practiced in different parts of the world in its specific details, but it has the same organization everywhere. For instance, monastic organization of Buddhism distinguishes this religion from Hinduism that is disparate in its organization. Buddhists have their cultural and educational centers, their own ideology and traditions. Moreover, according to Viswanathan (2014), Buddhism, preaching social and political indifference, in practice, made ​​a huge contribution to the organization of society, awareness of its ethno-political values, while such concepts as society, politics and history are diametrically far for the followers of Hinduism. So, it can be said that Hinduism is indifferent and inaccessible for changes, while Buddhism is more dynamic and open for refreshing.In addition, dwelling on the fact how these two religions influence the daily life of people practicing them, there is a significant difference between two religions, while both Hinduism and Buddhism emphasize different activities, leading to the release of the problems and difficulties. In Hinduism, the main emphasis is made on the external physical aspects and technologies, for example, various asanas in hatha yoga; classic Hinduism uses purification by bathing in the Ganges, as well as special diet, while in daily life Hinduism emphasizes the kinship of man with nature, with all the animals, and this makes it impossible to demonstrate hostile or even indifferent attitude to the animals with which man forms a unity.In Buddhism, a great importance is attached not to external but to internal techniques acting on the mind and heart. This is illustrated by such expressions as â€Å"the development of a good heart,† â€Å"development of wisdom for seeing reality,† etc. Moreover, Buddhism has consistently adhered to the principle of ahimsa, non-violence towards other beings. However, Buddhism spread widely outside India: Japan, China, Burma, Tibet, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and in these countries, it has undergone some changes. Buddhism, as it is now practiced in India, allows some departure from the principle of ahimsa and vegetarianism, and it has led to the fact that Buddhism lost the role of religion to protect animals from cruelty in these countries. For example, in Japan, although it is consumed little meat, people widely use fish in food. Only in monasteries where Zen Buddhism is practicing, vegetarianism and other primordial principles of Buddhism are strictly observed.To sum up, we have compared Buddhism and Hinduism in accordance with specific criteria, and found that each religion has not only its specific characteristics but also differently influence the life of people who are practicing these religions.