Hinduism and Buddhism will be discussed here through their history from religious figures or

scripture. I also mention my confusion about the teaching of Hinduism and Buddhism. There
are a lot of exciting things in both traditions that should be learned.
 
Something that I am interested in Hinduism is the name of their religion. The Authors
mentioned that the Mughal empire which gave the name Hindu mentions every religion
besides Islam. Then, what is the name they mention of their scripture for this religion? I
found an article that the name was Sanātana dharma or the eternal religion. I also wonder
there is no exact time Hinduism was established, even though there is approximately
emerge on the 15th BCE. Another interesting thing is the God and Goddess in Vedic
literature of them are no longer worshiped by Hindus. The reason perhaps the Hindu people
worship the popular Gods that can serve their needs. From this case, then what is the
function of Gods if they are not worshipped? On the other hand, the caste system in
Hinduism still exists hitherto. The lowest caste, Dalit did not recognize by other people and
even did not mention it sometime. Perhaps, in the city, this caste system has been
diminished gradually. 
 
 
Many people consider Buddhism as a philosophy, not a religion. But it can be also religion if
we don’t restrict the definition of religion that should have the holy book and God. Something
that I wonder about Buddhism is the way they detached from worldly things. Did they also
detach from Buddha because they did not attach to anything? How then do they get
enlightenment if there is no attachment to something or other-power? Pure Land Buddhism
said that they can be saved only by relying on Buddha. There is a famous quote from Zen
Buddhism “I want to peck from the inside. Would you please tap from outside?” This quote
indicates that someone who wants to be enlightened is inadequate in their self-power. The
other-power from Buddha is necessary for them to get enlightenment. Is it the same for them
to attach or rely on Buddha? Nevertheless, the teaching of liberating from something is the
main point of Buddhism to diminish the suffering in our life. For me, the most interesting
teaching of Buddhism was practiced by Tibetan monks explaining the impermanency. They
use colored sand and create the art called a mandala. Then, after the completion of a
mandala, they dismantle it as the symbol of impermanence. I was shocked when they
destroy their beautiful work. Then I realize that everything in this world is just an illusion.
Thus, whoever attaches to something worldly (impermanent), will be shocked or suffer when
something is gone.
 
To summarize, the teaching of both religions has some similarities and differences. We know
that Buddhism is rejecting the authority of Veda. Furthermore, Buddhism distinguished its
teaching from Hinduism and created its concept of dharma. Otherwise, there is something
unclear in my mind about both religions. I hope the next class can answer my question as
well. 

Muhammad Ikhsan Attaftazani

22/502077/PMU/11266
Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies