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Hinduism and Buddhism are two closely related Dharmic religions that are in some ways parallel to each other and in other ways divergent in theology and practice. Whereas the article on the Dharmic religions emphasizes continuities and convergences between the two religions, this article emphasizes that Hinduism and Buddhism each have widely diverging views of their respective relationship to the other, and of elements they have in common, such as the Karma and Dharma.
Convergence of the two Dharmic faiths
Neither religion is monolithic
This article makes generalizations about Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and practices. Nevertheless, it is very important to understand that neither religion is monolithic. Beliefs and practices vary within Hinduism, as they do between Buddhist denominations. There are also individual variations among believers in both religions.
The origins of Siddhartha Gautama
Siddhārtha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, under the full moon of the sixth lunar month, in the spring. His father was Śuddhodana (Pāli Suddhodana), of the Kṣatriya varṇa, was the chief (rājā, or king) of the Śākya nation, one of several ancient tribes on the margins of the growing state of Kośala (Pāli Kosala). His mother was Māyādevī, King Sudhodhana's wife. Like the founders of all Dharmic religions, Siddhartha Gautama was an influential Hindu who selected a set of principles found in Hinduism to form a newer, relatively limited set of principles.
The Muni
Munis are advanced practitioners of Yoga and Dhyana. Buddha is also known as Shakyamuni in many parts of the world.
Karma
Karma (Sanskrit: कर्म from the root kṛ, "to do") is a word of ancient origin meaning action or activity and its subsequent results (also called karma-phala, "the fruits of action"). It is commonly understood as a term to denote the entire cycle of cause and effect as described in the philosophies of a number of Dharmic Religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. Individuals go through certain processes and accompanying experiences throughout their lives which they have chosen, and those would be based on the results of their own creations: "karma". Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward. Karma simply deals with what is. The effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to others. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present life and all past and future lives as well.
Throughout this process, many see God as playing some kind of role, for example, as the dispenser of the fruits of karma. Other Hindus consider the natural laws of causation sufficient to explain the effects of karma. Some interpretations of the Bhagavad Gita suggest an intermediate view, that karma is a law of cause and effect yet God can mitigate karma for His devotees. Another view holds that a Satyaguru, acting on God's behalf, can mitigate or work out some of the karma of the disciple.
Dharma
Dharma (Sanskrit: धर्म) or Dhamma (Pāli: धमा) means Natural Law or Reality, and with respect to its significance for spirituality and religion might be considered the Way of the Higher Truths. Dharma forms the basis for philosophies, beliefs and practices originating in India. The four main ones are Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma), Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, all of whom retain the centrality of Dharma in their teachings. In these traditions, beings that live in harmony with Dharma proceed more quickly toward Dharma Yukam, Moksha, Nirvana (personal liberation). Dharma also refers to the teachings and doctrines of the various founders of the traditions, such as Gautama Buddha in Buddhism and Mahavira in Jainism. As the religious and moral doctrine of the rights and duties of each individual. Dharma can refer generally to religious duty, and also mean social order, right conduct, or simply virtue.
Nirvana
Each religion has an ethos, that is, an internal description of its raison d'être. That of Buddhism is to provide all human beings with the only valid path to nirvana. The term Nirvana is used in Sanskrit and is common to both the religions.
In addition the religions also share similarities in rituals, holy men and deities.
Dhyana
Both Hinduism and Buddhism lay emphasis on dhyana.
Differences between the two religions
The eternal way and the messiah
Hinduism is identified as "Sanatana Dharma", which translates to "The eternal way" while Buddhism is based upon the teachings of Gautam Buddha.
Shramanas
Buddhism is categorized under the Shraman Tradition (Shramaṇa Paramparā) of modern Indian philosophy, rather than the Brahmanical or priestly interpretation of Vedic Tradition (Vaidika Paramparā) that is followed by Brahmanical or priest based schools of Hinduism.
Conclusion
Buddhism is a dharmic religion. The systems of Buddhism and Hinduism must not be considered to be either contradictory to one another or completely self contained. Ananda Coomaraswamy wrote:
- "The more supreficially one studies Buddhism, the more it seems to differ from Brahmanism in which it originated; the more profound our study, the more difficult it becomes to distinguish Buddhism from Brahmanism, or to say in what respects, if any, Buddhism is really unorthodox."
Buddhist scholar Rahula Vipola wrote that the Buddha was trying to shed the true meaning of the Vedas. Buddha is said to be a knower of the Veda (vedajña) or of the Vedanta (vedântajña) (Sa.myutta, i. 168) and (Sutta Nipâta, 463).
Hinduism and Buddhism share many common features including Sanskrit, yoga, karma and dharma. Indians such as Ashoka the great and B.R. Ambedkar took to Buddism. India also is home to the government of Tibet in exile under Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.
In addition, Siddhartha Gautama is seen in Hinduism as the ninth avatar of Vishnu.
Further reading
- N.N Bhattacharyya: Buddhism in the History of Indian Ideas
- Chitrarekha V. Kher: Buddhism as Presented by the Brahmanical Systems
- Coomaraswamy, Ananda Kentish: Buddha and the Gospel of Buddhism. Citadel Press, Secaucus NJ, 1988 (1916). -: (with Sister Nivedita): Hindus and Buddhists. Mystic Press, London 1987 (ca. 1911).
- Elst, Koenraad: Who is a Hindu, 2001. Delhi: Voice of India. ISBN 81-85990-74-4
- GOEL, Sita Ram: Samyak Sambuddha. Bhârata-Bhâratî, Delhi 1997 (1957).
- Ram Swarup: Buddhism vis-à-vis Hinduism. Voice of India, Delhi 1983 (1958).
- V. Subramaniam, ed.: Buddhist-Hindu Interactions.
- Gurusevak Upadhyaya: Buddhism and Hinduism,
See also
References
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- Pratima Bowes, The Hindu Religious Tradition 54-80 (Allied Pub. 1976) ISBN 0-7100-8668
- Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. II, at 217-225 (18th reprint 1995) ISBN 81-85301-75-1
- Alex Michaels, Hinduism: Past and Present 154-56 (Princeton 1998) ISBN 0-691-08953-1
- Verses 4:14, 9.22 and 18.61
- Yogananda, Paramahansa, Autobiography of a Yogi, Chapter 21 ISBN 1565892127
- Swami Krishnananda on the Guru mitigating the karma of the disciple
- Swami B. V. Tripurari on grace of the Guru destroying karma
- Ellora Concept and Style by Carmel Berkson