Hinduism And Buddhism :: Religion Religious Essays

Hinduism and BuddhismIntroduction-Hinduism and Buddhism be two of the five major religions in our worldtoday. They are widely practiced, and have survived for centuries. Both havesimilarities and differences, as do entirely forms of religion. Hopefully, in thispaper I will show you the staple fiber structure of all(prenominal) religion. I would also like toshow how they compare and contrast.Hinduism FoundationNo one is completely sure of where Hinduism was started and by whom.Their oldest written documents, the Vedas, were written down in 1000 B.C. butthey had existed orally long before. The Vedas are where Hinduism originated.Today, Hinduism is the worlds third largest religion. many another(prenominal) changes have comeupon Hinduism since they practiced it first. Hinduism includes many differentsects, or denominations, and public opinions that have arisen. Though, there are manythings in common with all of the Hindu sects. Their basic beliefs are what tiesthem together.Basic Beliefs-The religion of Hinduism teaches us that each living body, includinganimals, is filled with an eternal soul. Hindus say that the individual soul wasa part of the creator spirit, Brahma. It is each souls job and wish eventuallyto return to Brahma. It is not possible though because by a souls sins, andimpurities from the world, they are no longer pure and holy to return. Instead,a soul must become pure before returning to Brahma, who is absolutely pure.The process of becoming pure is so hard that no soul advise become pure inonly one lifetime. The soul is forced to live life after life until it is pureenough to return to Brahma. The cycles of rebirths are called samsara, or the round of Life, by the Hindus. When a soul is finally cleansed enough to breakfree of samsara it is called moksha. The soul returns to Brahma for an eternityof contentment and ecstasy.There is no one incorporating creed in Hinduism. A follower may chooseany god as their personal god, or may worship so me(prenominal) of them. Though to be aHindu there are certain things that a follower must believe in and live by.Their main beliefs are1. A belief in karma, the result of ones good and bad deeds in alifetime.2. A belief in dharma, Hindu traditions.3. A belief in the three main gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.4. A belief in reincarnation after death.5. Honor for the sacred Vedas.6. A belief that, if lived a religious life, the Wheel of Life can endand achieve moksha.7. An honor for an ascetic religious life, to be an orthodox Hindu.