COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN HINDUISM AND

BUDDHISM
Buddhism and Hinduism have a common past, and while there are many similar beliefs between the two
religions, there are just as many differences between the Buddhist and Hindu religions.

REBIRTH, REINCARNATION, SAMSARA

Both Buddhism and Hinduism believe in an (almost) endless cycle of births, known as samsara. They
also both seek release from this cycle of rebirths.
Hindus believe in an everlasting soul (atman) that is reincarnated more-or-less intact from birth to
birth. Through spiritual practice, Hindus seek release (moksha, also known as liberation) so that the
soul can join with the Universal Divine Force (Brahman, often simply translated as God).
The Buddha, however, taught that there wasn't a constant soul, but a collection of feelings, perceptions,
senses, and other intangibles that made up all living beings. The concept of the lack of a constant sould
is known as anatta.
Hence, for Buddhists, the ultimate goal is something more abstract: ending suffering by escaping the
cycle of rebirths, and entering into a state of Nirvana. It is a common misconception to translate
Nirvana as meaning "Paradise," or as "Heaven." Nirvana itself is something of an abstract concept. One
meaning is "cool," which implies that one is far away from the fires of desire and Kilesa (defilement).

KARMA: CAUSE AND EFFECT

Both Buddhism and Hinduism believe in the concept of Karma, which states that our past actions affect
our present and future life states. One could do evil in this life and be reborn a worm in the next life.
Similarly, afflictions in this life are often explained away as the effects of Karma from a previous life (or
from misdeeds earlier in this life).

DHARMA: THE WAY OF LIFE

The word Dharma is common to both Buddhist and Hindu religions. Buddhists generally use the word
Dharma to refer to the collective teachings of the Buddha, and the Buddha used the word Dharma to
roughly mean "how the universe works."
The Hindu concept of Dharma might be thought of as being "one's role in the universe." The concept
includes not only one's performance of religious acts, but how they act in society and how they act
toward their family responsibilities.
In Hindu society, one's dharma may vary depending upon their caste, and in what stage of life they are
in. An older man from a higher caste might have a different dharma than a young man from a lower
caste.

DEVOTION TO GOD
Hinduism, which has thousands of gods and goddesses, is for the most part actually a monotheistic
religion. Each god is seen as one manifestation of the one Supreme God.
In Hinduism, each family will be devoted to a particular deity. Most Hindus practice devotion (bhakti) to
either a form of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva. They see this as one essential part of religious practice.
The Buddha, on the other hand, taught that we should not concern ourselves with worship or devotion
to a particular God. The Buddha did not deny the existence of a Supreme God: he just said that we are
responsible for our on enlightenment, and not to believe that a supreme being could help us.
The Buddha did decry the practice of animal sacrifices in devotional acts to the gods and goddesses that
were commonplace. Eventually, this belief in the sacredness of all life spread to Hinduism, and animal
sacrifice became the exception instead of the norm. In fact, the Buddha's impact on Hinduism was so
strong that followers of Vishnu believe that the Buddha was one of Vishnu's avatars (a being that helps
humanity in times of distress). Buddhists do not share this belief.
MEDITATION AND YOGA
Both Buddhism and Hinduism believe strongly in developing awareness and mental concentration in the
spiritual quest. In Buddhism, meditation is near ubiquitous, with insight meditation (Vipassana) being
the most emphasized form of meditation. Buddhist monks are expected to spend hours each day in
meditation, while the lay people are expected to practice regularly, and are free to attend meditation
sessions at local temples. The Mahayana Schools of Buddhism also emphasize Metta (compassion)
meditation.

Origin Differences
Hinduism is based on the Vedas & Upanishads, written texts. Buddhism developed as a result of
questioning the concepts of Hinduism.
Views on God
Differences:
Hindus believe in multiple gods.
Buddhists do not believe in a creator.
Views on Nature
Differences:
Hinduism believes nature is something to be controlled and done so by the gods.
Buddhism believes the universe always was and is perfect, not in need of control.
Differences in Focuses & Practices
Differences:
Hinduism focuses on devotion to the gods. Appeasing the gods ensures their favor.
Buddhism focuses on the teachings of the Buddha and practice meditation.
Concepts of the Soul
Differences:
Hinduism believes the soul, or jiva, exists and one is reincarnated according to one's Karma.
Buddhism believes in no soul - more like an "essence" in human beings and all other living
things that is reborn in various ways.
Way to Salvation / Enlightenment
Differences:
Hinduism believes in salvation. Be righteous and perform good deeds.
Buddhism believes in enlightenment. Be compassionate.
Reality and Time
Differences:
Hinds believe in a timeless reality, that there is a realm beyond the everyday world.
Buddhists reject the notion of a timeless reality. They believe that everything is interconnected.
How reincarnation ends
Differences:
Hinduism believes that Moksha, or enlightenment, is salvation. A constant reincarnation cycle
is experienced until Moksha is obtained.
Buddhism believes in Nirvana, a place of peaceful acceptance. Reincarnation cycle until Nirvana
is reached but some choose to be reborn to continue to help others.
Similarity in Origin
Both religions developed in India and are two of the oldest religions.
Language
Similarity:
Both Hinduism and Buddhism use Sanskrit.
Statues
Similarity:
Both religions use statues as representations.
Similar view on Reincarnation
Similarity:
Both believe in reincarnation and that it is possible to end the cycle through some type of
enlightenment.
Similarity in Doctrines
Buddhism's Three-Body Doctrine is similar to Hinduism. The "cosmic Buddha nature" is
similar to Brahman.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN SHINTOISM,
CONFUCIANISM, DAOISM OR TAOISM

Shinto refers to the indigenous beliefs of the Japanese people, a religion that is practiced
alongside Buddhism today by most people in Japan. The Shinto religion is based on belief in
a world of spirits, or kami, which are worshipped and communicated with at shrines and
through religious rites. Although much about its origins are unclear, Shinto has been
influenced by the Chinese religions of Taoism and Confucianism throughout history.

Origins

As Japan's indigenous religion, Shinto is believed to date back to ancient times, before the
establishment of large-scale cultural contact between Japan and China. However, since
Japan had no writing system before adopting Chinese characters, there are no written
records from that earlier period. The earliest Shinto writings include abundant connections
to Taoist beliefs, but it is impossible to know which concepts already existed in Shinto and
which were adopted directly from Taoism.

Citing Taoism

Despite the lack of clarity on the origin of many concepts, there are some very clear Taoist
influences in Japan's earliest Shinto writings, such as the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki. These
works were written using Chinese characters and use references to Taoist legends and
writings to illustrate Shinto beliefs. Meanwhile, some forms of Shinto explicitly incorporate
Taoist teachings and rituals into their practices. One form, known as Ise Shinto, actually
cites the Taoist scripture of the Dao De Jing in one of its religious texts.

Taoist Beliefs

Some concepts in Shinto are apparently taken directly from Taoism, such as the idea that
there is a fundamental yin-yang duality in nature. Beliefs regarding the classification of
matter into five types also were adopted from Taoism, as were various ideas about the
relationship between people and heaven. The Shinto belief that the supernatural world is
governed by an organized hierarchical system of deities has been attributed to Taoism as
well. Some Taoist deities were directly adopted into Shinto, such as the Lord of Mount Tai,
who serves as the ruler of fate from his peak in the east.

Confucian Influences

Confucianism, a system of moral teachings that also originates in ancient China, also has at
times been mixed with the Shinto religion. Japan's Ritsuryo law code of the seventh and
eight centuries adopted concepts from Confucianism, and centuries late r Confucian thought
became the basis of a new school of Shinto known as Juka Shinto. The Tokugawa
shogunate, which came to rule feudal Japan in 1600, adopted Confucianism as its official
ideology, thus adding a Confucian flavor to Shinto practices that continued during that
period.
Common features of eastern religions
mostly on the continent of asia
look more like philosophies than religions
more about ethics than about giving honor or service to a God
humanity is generally viewed as good and noble
no concept of salvation by a god; your sin is pardoned as you seek to change your inappropriate
behavior
jesus is just another person who taught a moral lifestyle similar to theirs

Confucianism: confucius
born in china in 551 bc
lived in a time of immorality and militarism
tried to lead a political/civil reforms, by talking with local rulers about peace, equity and
fairness
starting a religious movement was not his intent
his fame and wisdom spread, but primarily as a teacher of morality
died in 479 bc

Confucianism: basic teachings

building strong and respectful relationships (parent/child, rulers/subjects, husband/wife,
siblings, friends)
developing ones true character (virtue, loyalty, kindness, honesty, humility, leads to a more
harmonious society)
does not include any aspect of worship, beliefs concerning a deity, or religious rituals

Confucianism: important writings

the analects (one of the four books, record of the deeds and sayings of Confucius)
I Ching (one of the five classics, a manual got seeking guidance, predates Confucius but he
added many personal commentaries to the 64 hexagrams)

Confucianism: influence beyond his lifetime

Mencius: disciple who believed in the seed of goodness and the good of the majority
xunzi: disciple who saw man as innately bad and needed direction to become virtuous
how it looks today: not really a religion, just a way of life often added to other religions,
typically follows mencius

Taoism: beginnings
founder: Laozi (6th century bc in china)
holy writing: daodejing
what began as a social philosophy became the state religion by 5th century ad
coexisted with buddhism and Confucianism

Taoism; basic teachings

worship of nature (living in harmony with the patterns of nature, best life is that of the farmer,
become one with the environment, one should not build dams)
nonaction (as Confucianism seeks to control behavior, Taoism wants a natural progression,
prefers not interference, prefers a very simple life)
yin and yang (seeking to restore balance in life, harmony comes from a blending of opposites)
importance of the individual left to follow his own inclinations of course
Taoism: in us
popular as it relates to health and fitness
the practice of tai chi (slow choreographed movements, an exercise for balance and natural
healing)

Shinto: beginnings
located in japan, no clear date of origin
became mixed with other religions from china
Shinto: two major changes
Meiji restoration (1868): Shinto rites were separated from buddhism, a vehicle for japanese
nationalism, promoted the divine nature of the emperor
a new direction (1945): after WWII, Shinto broke its ties to the state, emperor Hirohito
renounced his claim to divinity

Shinto: the four affirmations

tradition and the family (special rites with births and marriages)
love of nature (kami are the gods of nature, their view of the spirit realm)
physical cleanliness
matsuri (festivals to honor the kami)

Shinto: other beliefs

humans are fundamentally good; evil is caused by evil spirits
rituals are directed toward avoiding these evil spirits by offerings and prayers
more important that good works is loyalty: family, superiors, job
the sun goddess Amaterasu is the closest they come to having a deity
one sect (folk Shinto) involves many superstitions, ancestor worship, and keeping small shrines
in their homes for daily worship

Shinto: worship
occurs in everyday life (assimilated into Japanese customs and traditions, though separate from
the state it's still part of their culture)
occurs in the shrines (over 80000 in japan, open daily, no special day of worship, many rituals)
occurs through many festivals (like national holidays throughout the country, most famous are
the cherry blossom festival and New Year's Day)