Mitchell Barnhurst HUMA 2300: World Religion Fieldtrip Comparison Paper

Comparison essay

Over the last three months I have been well educated and experienced firsthand some of the main religions of our world today. My knowledge and accepting of theses religions has been
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increased and though I still dont comprehend everything or remember it all, I have gained a greater gratitude for those who belong to these groups. I have chosen Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism that I might compare some of their likenesses and variances with in three topics that I have carefully thought about and picked. I will begin with their origin and continuance, take you to their outlooks and how they view this world, and end with their place of worship to sharing my observation and impressions as I went to each one. When studying religions one of the first questions that is always asked is when did they begin, And how? Looking at Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism which are some of the oldest religions recorded, all originated differently and during different eras, regardless, there are similarities that I have noticed. With the older religions it can be hard to pin point the exact date that they formed. Take Judaism for example religious historians and Jews today dont necessarily agree on the origin of Judaism started , historians have theorys and records date as far back as 1000 B.C.E. There are even those who believe that the practice of theses religions go farther back then the text itself. Did Judaism start with the creation or with the exodus from Egypt? Not even the text book dare pin down an exact date but instead uses the Jewish scripture rather than rely on independent historical sources. (Warren Matthews, World Religion, Seventh edition.) Likewise historians have the same question for Hinduism, there is little knowledge as to when it exactly formed and how. About 1000 B.C.E. Aryans migrated into India. They mixed with the natives and over a period of time theirs beliefs formed with one another and developed into Hinduism. Again though, this is just speculation. It is easy for me to draw comparisons

between Hinduism and Judaism, both religions have an origin that isnt specific in date, and both suggest their history is much older than their ancient text. Unlike Hinduism and Judaism, Buddhism is a much younger religion and started with Siddhartha Gautama, a young prince who spent time looking for enlightenment and understanding of the world and found it while under a tree, in 500 B.C.E. The continuation of these religions has changed over the years from when they first began. Judaism has changed from the days of Abraham and Moses and because of changes and differences in beliefs Jewish faith has experienced a division of several groups. The same is applicable for Hinduism; many different sects have been formed due to varying beliefs. To this day there is great diversity amongst the Hindus in regards to which god they believe in and how they worship. Similarly, Buddhism has experienced controversy and changed since its genesis. It wasnt until the Buddha passed away councils were held to discuss the extent of ones practices and beliefs after the manor of Buddha. Buddhists have become a very peaceful and loving group of people. As with any group or sect there will be those who oppose openly and violently, but none so much as Judaism. The Jews through the years have experienced much adversity with the destroying and rebuilding of their temples several times and being forced into extermination during World War I and II. Although Hinduism and Buddhism can relate to having their fair share of trials over the years, neither has been in such a situation where they have been slaughtered by the millions for their beliefs. Its easy to draw comparisons in origin to Hinduism and Judaism being that their two of the worlds oldest religions and their beginning is unknown. What I found fascinating and
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noteworthy is how they, as well as Buddhism, have survived the ages. The law of the land, persecution, and popular beliefs has shaped these faiths into what they are now. For instance, I had the opportunity to observe here in Utah a female Rabbi; proving that even the oldest of religions can be affected by modern movements. Each of these religions believes in a type of karma or cause and effect. Jews have made covenants with God through their forefathers such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. It is believed promises were made and blessings or punishment would be given by God according to those promises and if they were kept. Hindus have a closely shared belief which is the law of karma, the understanding that a persons thoughts and deeds are followed eventually by deserved pleasure or pain. In Hinduism this is an explanation for the caste system upon reincarnation. Where as in Buddhism karma is primarily psychological and not physical, karma is the intention with which an action takes place, and the determining factor in the worth of the action is the drive and intention behind it. Those of Jewish faith believe that God has been involved with mankind from the time of the creation of the world, that he has made covenants and promises with the children of Abraham and will one day return to claim his chosen people with whom he has made promises with. Judaisms belief in God is stated simply in Deuteronomy 6:4 The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Whereas Judaism and Buddhism have either laws and rules or a creed describing what they believe in, this is not the case with Hinduism. It is said in the book Warren Mathews world religion that the Hindu world or the universe is more complicated than in religions from the middle east. With Hindus they believe that this life is not just the chapter but many chapters of

a book. In chapter three of Warren Matthew world religion it continues by saying that they believe humans cannot change the fact that they are exactly what they are supposed to be in life. In this life, however, people can change what they will become in the future. This belief is contradicting to Buddhism. A major belief that certainly separates Buddhism from Hinduism and Judaism is their belief in God, or rather their lack of belief in God. Buddha himself did not worship a God, though it couldnt be proven he was atheist, instead he taught that belief in God was not essential to his mission of finding release from suffering. Buddha believed in a middle path, essentially one could embrace the world and all living things therein. One could form an appreciation, respect, and acceptance for the worlds inhabitance and depending on which sect of Buddhism one belongs to insight into the nature of reality could be achieved in this lifetime or the hereafter. Buddhism is an inner religion, enlightenment and peace can be obtained by ones self by releasing attachments to worldly things. This harmony is something that can be achieved in any space or time without being confined to the walls of a spiritual hall. Having had the opportunity to attend and witness the ceremonies and meeting places of the Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism faiths I was able to perceive many similarities and differences. Judaism is by far a different experience compared to the other two. To begin, there was not a strong incense smell and there were no candles burning. Decoration was incorporated in the main room of worship for all three faiths but varied from Judaism to the other two. In the Jewish synagogue they had very modest decoration, your standard banners hung on the wall with simple colors and design, as well as plaques of various recognitions for those who had passed away and other simple posters and pictures. We were not asked sit on the floor as we were with the other two religions. Judaism you have a standard pew row by row all facing the arc where the
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holy text is kept. The dress was different for those of the Jewish faith as well, they where required or highly recommend that a tie and slacks be worn. Buddhism and Hinduism members wore casual dress or a gown with a cloth hanging from your shoulders and another cloth wrapped around the waist. When you first approach a Hindu or Buddhist temple the vibrant colors and many decorations out of cloth and various other materials that drape from the walls and ceiling are as striking as the incense that is constantly burning. Both of their colors where bright and had many shrines with various pictures, statutes, and other artifacts that had important duties. They both vary slightly in what you sit upon during the service. During the Buddhism meditation you are asked sit on pillows that are on the floor in front of lower table arranged with no real direction. Similarly, in Hinduism you also sit on the floor instead of a pillow there are various rugs beneath you and no table. You are arranged so that you are always facing the murti. I noticed that in each religion there was a focal point within that holy space. For Judaism it was their arc which can be described like a trophy case with doors that had shelves inside holding their scrolls and other religious texts. Buddhism had their, for lack of a better word, shrines that were located in the back of the room. These were in the form of ornate beds and drapery the center of which stood a humble wooden stand with glass casing that contained some ashes of the Buddha himself. Hinduism also had an outstanding shrine for a focal point that held their main murti that they honored and worshiped, though they had several other alters in the room it was very clear who their main focus of worship was due to the sheer size of the shrine and the murti itself.

Within the three religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism although the beliefs and practices of each are different there were still many similarities. The rituals that took place inside their buildings of worship each involved reading of sacred text, singing, and each service took place in a different language. All of these three faiths also had an officiator or conductor. The gender of those conducting each sect was different but there was a tangible and organized outline to each ceremony. Although all of these religions vary in belief and custom, a fantastic truth pressed upon my mind when I was visiting their places of worship; all of the members of these sects were kind and friendly. There was a feeling of mutual respect, none so much though as the Jewish members who were open, welcoming, and kind. In conclusion its clear that these three religions varied in the connections and difference depending on the topic. The origin of Judaism and Hinduism are closely similar that even scholars dont know when they started and agree that they are older than there record texts, whereas Buddhism was started by a young prince seeking escape from suffering in this world and taught that god was not relevant. Although both Hinduism and Judaism worship a God they also differ from each other, while Hindus worship many forms of their God, Jews have the one lord who they give devotion too. Where they worship differs greatly but, while visiting their place of worship I observed that Hinduism and Buddhism are a lot alike with their vibrant colors, overwhelming smell of candles and incenses, the countless statues, the need to sit on the floor, and the singing of their text. While the synagogue for the Jews was less invasive with bright colors, smell, and multiple statues, there are a few similarities, the singing of their text, I found pleasant to listen to in their foreign language. Though each religion has various connections and dissimilarities its agreeable each has suffered trials, each has had to change and adapt with the

changing world, each has been molded by modern movements, and ideals, and each is rather different from the religions that were formed many generations ago