In Overstory we are now talking about two of the most popular religions and that, even though they have differences, many consider them to be parallel. We discover Hinduism and Buddhism.
Both Hinduism and buddhism They are religions originating in India although they are widespread and practiced throughout the world today. There are many people who confuse them although they seem to be based on similar precepts (by preaching in favor of love, peace and spiritual evolution) although the truth is that Hinduism was formed long before Buddhism (towards the 1,000 AD) and in fact both have marked differences.
Differences between Hinduism and Buddhism:
- The main difference between these two religions would be that Buddhism is a polytheistic religion, which believes in different gods, while the Hinduismis non-theistic, that is, it is not guided by a God.
- Hinduism also has a firm belief in castes, which is why they consider a social system that perpetuates a hierarchy from generation to generation, hardly allowing mobility between social strata.
- On the other hand, Buddhism is totally contrary to social differences as well as generational ones. In fact, among its precepts there is always the one that we are all equal and in fact they put special emphasis on this ideal that also transmits greater peace to our spirit.
- Hinduism has reincarnation as a fundamental principle so that we can achieve to experience eternal life. On the other hand, Buddhism has the definition of reaching enlightenment, a state of complete mental tranquility and happiness free from the suffering inherent in living.
These are some of the most marked differences between these two religions, although each of them allows us to delve deeper so that we have a greater explanation of what their motivations, beliefs and ideals are.
HINDUISM:
- Perhaps one of the foundations of Hinduism and in fact the precept by which this religion is most popular is the Karma and that responds to deities that cause reactions to our actions. For every action committed there is an equal and opposite reaction. The one in charge of enforcing this law would be the omniscient invisible god Iama Rash (the ‘ban king’) and his monstrous invisible servants, the iama-dutas (‘messengers of Yama’).
- The basis of Hinduism is also marked by 333 million deities; It also preaches love for living beings, in addition to having several castes among which we will have to divide society from generation to generation.
- Hinduism is also related to yoga, a practice that poses as a doctrine that through the practice of certain disciplines the human being can achieve liberation from the limitations of the flesh, the deception of the senses and the traps of thought and, therefore, achieve union with authentic knowledge.
BUDDHISM:
- In Buddhism, which is perhaps even more spiritual, we also find the idea of karma, although in this case we have to say that this would not be a law of cause and effect that would imply the existence of invisible gods in charge of enforcing it, but rather a natural inertia. . So it will not be so related to guilt or wrong actions, but to the fact that human actions have both external and mental consequences.
- Siddharta Gautama was the founder of Buddhism, who after discovering poverty, death, etc … decides to achieve a life without suffering so he will end up discovering the enlightenment that teaches him the four noble truths which he will spread.
- These four truths would be the knowledge of the sufferingthe origin of suffering, the suppression of suffering and the way to eliminate it.
- With these four truths, Buddhists try to end up finding enlightenment and by accepting them they must also find the path of the eight steps and they are:
The eight steps of Buddhism:
- Right knowledge of the four truths.
- Right attitude to stay away from desires, hate and malice.
- Straight speech: Prudent and sincere language.
- Right action, which includes the moral life.
- Straight occupation, earning a living without bothering others.
- Right effort, repressing bad impulses and encouraging good ones.
- Straight thinking, striving to know the truth without passion.
- Right concentration, through meditation that liberates.