Buddism versus Hinduism Essay - 1028 Words

Buddhism vs Hinduism Hinduism and Buddhism are the two main religions of Ancient India. Both religions share Common beliefs but also have their differences. Some differences are the deities worshipped, the founders of the religions, sacred writings observed, and meditation practices. Through out this essay we will explore and compare the similarities and the differences in both of these religions. Hinduism Religion In the Hindu religion, the founder was not one person alone. It is believed by historians that the Aryans developed Hinduism over 3500 years ago. The Hindu religion was developed around the caste system. The caste system was the social class of India. At the top to the caste system were the Brahmins or the†¦show more content†¦And the last path is Bhakti yoga, the path of devotion, to share a relationship with the Supreme. Though there are many deities worshipped in the Hindu religion there are three major groupings: Vaishnavites, who worship the god Vishnu, Saivites who worship the god Siva, and Saktas who worship a goddess (Fisher 2002). Hinduism is still important and followed by the people of India today. Buddhism Religion In the Buddhism religion, there was only one founder. Siddhartha Gantina founded Buddhism in 560 B.C. At the age of twenty nine Prince Siddhartha renounced his wealth and position as heir to his fathers throne, left his wife and baby, shaved his head, put on a robe and started his spiritual journey (Gyatso, 2007). After Siddhartha experienced Supreme Enlightenment he became a Buddha, an enlightened being. Buddhists rejected the caste system. Instead they focused on individuals. Important literatures of the Buddhist religion are the Pali Canon. Buddhists have no gods and the ultimate goal is to achieve nirvana (Gyatso, 2007). They believe if you follow the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path, you will live a great life and obtain nirvana. The Four Noble Truths state: Life inevitably involves suffering, is imperfect and unsatisfactory, suffering originates in our desires, suffering will cease if all desires cease, and there is a way to realize this state: the Nobel Eightfold Path (Fisher, 2002). The Noble