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INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND

BELIEF SYSTEMS
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 4
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HINDUISM,
THERAVADA BUDDHISM AND MAHAYANA
BUDDHISM

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INTRODUCTION (What I Need to Know)
You have studied the tenets of Mahayana Buddhism and how it paved away for the
establishment the development of a variety of Buddhist Schools. You have also come to know
how Mahayana Buddhism seems to have an interesting appeal to a vast majority of followers. In
the next lesson, you will further study the connection among Dharmic Religions, and how
essentials are the concept of Dharma in Hinduism and in the two major sects of Buddhism.

In Hinduism and Buddhism (Mahayana and Theravada), dharma is an integral concept. In

Hinduism, dharma refers to the religious and moral law governing a person’s conduct. It is also
one of the four Hindu goals of life. For the two Buddhist Schools, it may pertain to the cosmic
law and order or Buddha’s teachings. Apart from the Buddha and the sangha, the dharma is one
the “three jewels” to which Buddhist followers go for refuge (Coogan 2005).

(MELC) Most Essential Learning Competency

Explain the uniqueness and similarities of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism and
Theravada Buddhism.

At the end of this module you should be able to;

a. determine the similar features of Hinduism and Buddhism;
b. explain the concept of morality, purposes and destiny of Hinduism and
Buddhism;
c. compare the view on women in Hinduism and Buddhism.

DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIVITIES (What is It)

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HINDUISM, THERAVADA BUDDHISM, AND
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
Hinduism and Buddhism both originated in India. Hindu followers comprise 80% of
India’s population of more than a billion or about 14 % of the World’s population. Meanwhile,
there are more than 370 million Buddhists around the World that represent about 6% of the
entire population. Quite interestingly, while Buddhism began in India, it almost died out as a
living religion in its place of origin. Majority of its follower can be found in China, Japan, Korea,
and Indochina Peninsula. The major sects of Buddhism include Theravada and Mahayana
school of thought (Coogan 2005).

ORIGIN
 Both Hinduism and Buddhism, two of the World’s great religions, trace their origin in India.
 Believed to be the oldest living religion in the World, the early beginning of Hinduism with its
forms and themes may have begun around the third millennium B.C.E
 Hinduism evolved and developed during the ancient Indus Valley civilization.
 Throughout its long history, Hinduism became the source of three other religions, namely,
Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
 Buddhists trace its origin in Northern India around the sixth century B.C.E as another
interpretation of the Hindu belief.
 This religion is closely linked to its founder Siddhartha Gautama who is also referred to as the
Buddha or the “Enlightened One.” (Ong, Jose 2016)

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 He preached mainly in the eastern part of Indian Subcontinent such as in Magandha and
Kosala.
 Buddhist religion resulted in the emergence of two major branches around the first century
C.E, namely the Theravada and Mahayana school of tradition.
 Both schools owe their fundamental teachings to the Buddha whose life has become an
inspiration to millions of followers all over the world.

MORALITY
 Hinduism is said to be the most tolerant of all religions as there are numerous ways to
manifest one’s set of Hindu beliefs.
 Hindus themselves differ in the manner of practicing their religion.
 Hinduism may seemingly lack a cohesive system of belief and practices, most of its adherent
hold several key moral values such as karma and dharma.
 The concept of karma involves the accumulation of one’s past deeds that have a direct effect
on one’s present condition.
 Karma is closely linked to the Hindu belief of reincarnation (samsara) or the cycle of life,
death, and rebirth.
 Bad deeds, including actions and thoughts, may result in one being born into an unpleasant
circumstance in the next life. On the other hand, good deeds generate an enjoyable
disposition in one’s next life. In short karma is the universal law of casualty.
 The concept of dharma wherein people must accomplish their task so that society can
prosper.
 Evidently, dharma is a complex term that could mean law, duty, order, justice, or norm
within Hinduism.
 By performing one’s dharma correctly, one gains good karma. Dharma brings morality and
ethics in the Hindu belief system.
 Buddha embraced the general framework of Indian ideas, he radically altered many of them.
 Similarly, the cycle of rebirth persists in Buddhism and succeeding lives may be affected by
the moral laws of cause and effect or karma.
 Until one has achieved enlightenment, one’s deed in present lifetime will affect the course of
future rebirth.
 Buddhist moral thought and actions are principally guided by the “Four Noble Truths”
formulated by the Buddha, along with the basic guide called the “Eightfold Paths” that are
divided into three categories, namely, right view, right conduct, and right practice.
 Unhappiness of life (dukkha) is principally caused by people’s unending desires.
 Anything harmful to others indeed and in Theravada and Mahayana sect, follow the “Four
Noble Truths” and the “Eightfold Path.”

PURPOSE
 In Hinduism, there are four desirables goals of life (purushartha).
 All Hindus aim to achieve the four-fold purpose of life that includes dharma, artha, kama,
and moksha. (Ong, Jose 2016)

 Dharma is a path toward a pleasant rebirth through fulfilment of one’s destiny that is often
defined by class, family, social status, age, and gender.
 Artha pertains to the pursuit of legitimate worldly prosperity or materials well-being. As one
pursues success, dharma must always be kept in mind. (Ong, Jose 2016)

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 Karma refers to the pursuit of legitimate pleasure as one obtains enjoyment in life, such as
those related to arts, music, and dance.
 Moksha is the final meaning of life that involves enlightenment, self-realization, or union
with god.
 For the Hindus, this is the most difficult goal of life to accomplish. While some can
accomplish moksha in just one lifetime, others may take several reincarnations in another
physical form just to be liberated from the cycle of rebirth.
 Traditional Hindus often pass the four stage of life (ashramas).
 The first stage of Hindu life is that being a student (brahmacarya) as a bachelor, he lives in
the house of guru and studies sacred scriptures under his guidance.
 The second stage is that of being a householder (grihastha) wherein he takes in a wife, raise
children, and contributes to the well-being of society.
 The third stage (vanaprastha), he withdraws to the forest with his wife and he undergoes
meditation to understand the meaning of life.
 The fourth stage (samnyasin) involves renouncing the world and all its attachments as he
now becomes a holy sage.
 The first three stages are obligatory in nature while the fourth is only optional and not all
men attain it.
 In Buddhism, the purpose of one’s life is to terminate all forms of suffering caused by
attachment to impermanent entities, such as material things, friends, and health.
 All these do not offer enduring happiness but sorrow. When one recognizes the
impermanence of all these things, an individual begins to free one’s self from attachment
thereby reducing suffering and ending the cycle of rebirth.
 Buddha’s teachings on the “Four Noble Truths” and the “Eightfold Path” form the basic
tenets of the Buddhist sects.
 In Theravada Buddhism, the monastic way of life ensures the path towards enlightenment.
 For the Buddhist laity, they must first be reborn as monk for them to be eligible for
enlightenment.
 As member of laity perform good deeds, positive karma may bring forth a pleasant condition
in the next life.
 In contrast, Mahayana Buddhism offer enlightenment to anyone, not only for the member
of the monastic order, but also for those with families and secular careers.
 Moreover, the Mahayana branch of Buddhism attracts followers because it offers a faster
route to enlightenment than the Theravada Sect.

DESTINY
 The destiny of all Hindu involves reincarnation until such time they gain ultimate
enlightenment.
 Hinduism believes that within the human is an eternal soul (atman) that is being reborn
millions of times and in many forms subject to the moral law of karma.
 Hindu practices to achieve enlightenment involves yoga, meditation, proper worship,
rituals, devotion to god and goddesses, pilgrimage to sacred shrines and performing one’s
duties. (Ong, Jose 2016)

 For the Hindus, the idea of an eternal heaven or hell is unfounded as it does not uphold
genuine moral behaviors.
 Buddhism hold that no soul is being reborn because there is no permanence in anything.
(Ong, Jose 2016)
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 The Buddha preached to his followers to achieve their own salvation conscientiously
because external force has no control over their life and circumstances.
 They control their own fate as they are bound to the law of causality.
 Buddhist destiny, therefore, is the direct result of natural law or dharma and one’s
accumulated deeds or karma.
 Here lies glaring difference of Buddhism as a dharmic religion when compared to other
world religions that teach concept of fate and predestiny.
 For Buddhist followers, life and events are not controlled by an all-powerful creator or
universal force.
 In the Theravada School of Buddhism, the training on the development of ethical conduct,
meditation, and insight assist in eradicating all forms of evil to acquire goodness and purify
the mind.
 All worldly things are momentary and impermanent.
 By following the “Middle Path” and practicing the basic doctrines of Buddhism, there is a
realization that desire can be terminated and suffering reduced.
 Meanwhile, the Mahayana sect devoted much attention to the bodhisattvas or “enlightened
beings” who delay their own enlightenment for them to benevolently aid other beings to
reach their ultimate end. All beings can follow the path of the bodhisattva which is the ideal
way for all the Buddhists to live.

VIEWS ON WOMEN
 The status of women in ancient India leaves much to be desire as they are always seen as
inferior to men in all aspects of life.
 Restriction abound regarding their daily activities; trending household chores would be their
primary role.
 Honoring women in Hindu society is fundamental teaching has been laid down in one of the
supplementary arms of the Vedas, the Manusmriti or the “Law of Manu.”
 According to the basic text, the three-stage pattern for a woman include that a woman child
be protected by her father, a wife must be protected by her husband, and an old woman be
protected by her son.
 As married woman, she must become a good wife and treat her husband as a god.
 Cases having several wives also exist in India society that naturally breed hatred and
jealousies among wives.
 Women are not allowed to remarry after the death of their husband. Shaving their heads is
requirements to make the unappealing to other interested men.
 Widows are personification of all the negative characteristics of a woman, ill-fated and
Wretched.
 Widows are brought to the Indian City of Vrindavan by their families who eventually
abandon them there.
 A widow can opt to commit sati or the act of killing herself by jumping into the funeral pyre
of her husband.
 The practice of Sati has now been banned in India especially with the passage of Sati
(Prevention) Act of 1988 that criminalized any time of involvement in Sati.
 On the other hand, women have enjoyed considerable freedom in their religious life in
Buddhism as compared to Hinduism. (Ong, Jose 2016)

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 The Buddha himself allowed the full participation of women in all major Buddhist rites and
practices.
 Buddha allowed women to join the monastic order and attain enlightenment in equal footing
with men.
 For Buddha, men are not always wise, and women can also be wise.
 In Buddhism, women should not be treated as inferior to men because both are equally
valuable in society.
 Women as wives and mothers have roles to fulfill in the family and society.
 Husband and wives must equally share responsibilities in the family with the same zeal.
 Wives must be familiarized themselves in the trade and business dealing so they can also
handle these affairs.
 Men and Women have equal status in Buddhist Societies. (Ong, Jose 2016)

ACTIVITY 1: FIT ME!

Directions: Read and analyze the statement. Write the letter of correct answer in your answer
sheet.
1. Hinduism and Buddhism are both originated from?
A. China B. Japan C. Korea D. India
2. It is believed to be the oldest living religion in the world.
A. Islam B. Hinduism C. Christianity D. Islam
3. In Hinduism belief refers to the moral law governing a person’s conduct.
A. Karma B. Refuge C. Surya D. Dharma
4. Their fundamental teachings are from Buddha, whose life become an inspiration to the
followers.
A. Theravada. B. Mahayana C. Both “a” and “b”. D. Hinduism
5. It is said to be the most tolerant of all religions.
A. Buddhism B. Jainism C. Sikhism D. Hinduism

ACTIVITY 2: GUESS WHO?

Directions: Identify the following statement either Buddhism or Hinduism. Write BRAHMA in
your answer sheet if it’s about Hinduism and BUDDHA if Buddhism.
1. Followers hold several key moral values such as Karma and Dharma.
2. Unhappiness of life is principally caused by people unending desires.
3. Follow the Noble Eight-Fold path and the Four Noble Truth.
4. People are born with specific duties to perform in accordance with their status in society.
5. Behave appropriately and act righteously.
6. The principal purpose is to terminate all forms of suffering in one’s life.
7. Resulted the emergence of two of religion namely Mahayana and Theravada.
8. The destiny involves reincarnation until such time they gain ultimate enlightenment.
9. Holds that no soul is being reborn because there is no permanence in anything.
10. People must accomplish their task so that society can prosper as a whole.

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ACITIVITY 3: ONE-TWO-THREE TELL ME!
Directions: Describe the origin, morality, purpose, and views on women of Hinduism, Theravada
Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. Write your answer in your answer sheet.

THERAVADA MAHAYANA
HINDUISM BUDDHISM BUDDHISM
Origin

Morality

Purpose

Views on
women

ASSESSMENT
I. Directions: Read and analyze the statement. Write the letter of the correct answer in your
answer sheet.

1. The cycle of life, death, and rebirth

A. Dharma B. Samsara C. Karma D. Pali
2. The concept involves the accumulation of one’s past deeds that have direct effect on one’s
present condition.
A. Samsara B. Dharma C. Pali D. Karma
3. The concept wherein people must accomplish their task so that the society can prosper.
A. Dharma B. Hinduism C. Islam D. Christianity
4. They believed within the human is an eternal soul that is reborn millions of times and in
many forms.
A. Islam B. Hinduism C. Christianity D. Buddhism
5. Followed the Eight-Fold Path and the Four Noble Truths
A. Hinduism and Sikhism C. Jainism and Shintoism
B. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism D. Christianity and Islam

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II. Directions: Match Column A which are the English terms of Dharmic Religion to Column B.
Write your answer in your answer sheet.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. Unhappiness of life A. Atman
2. Legitimate pleasure B. Dharma
3. Eternal Soul C. Dukkha
4. Bring morality and Ethics D. Kama
5. Cause and effect E. Karma
6. Desirable goals in life F. Nirvana
7. Material well-being G. Samsara
8. Reincarnation H. Purushartha
9. Final meaning of life I. Artha
10. State of perfect peace J. Moksha

III. Directions: Choose one of the Dharmic religion, create a poster depicting its core teaching.
You may have it done on a long bond paper. Please be guided by the given rubrics.

RUBRIC FOR POSTER

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS
Organization The concept was clearly and creatively
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conveyed.
Content The illustrations were appropriate to the
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theme.
Visual presentation The idea was clearly presented based on
5
the pictures and words used.
Total: 15

ANSWER KEY FOR ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 ACTIVITY 3
1. D 1. Brahma 6. Buddha  Answer may vary
2. B 2. Buddha 7. Buddha Refer to rubrics
3. D 3. Buddha 8. Brahma
4. C 4. Brahma 9. Buddha
5. D 5. Brahma 10. Brahma

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References:
A. Book

Ong, J., Jose, M.D., Government of the Philippines, Department of Education,

Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems, Textbook-First Edition 2016, Vibal
Group, Inc. pp. 167-175

B. Online Resources
https://www.slideshare.net/Hugh_07/buddhism-8990329
https://www.slideshare.net/JastenDomingo/mahayana-buddhism-120362890

DIVISION QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGEMENT TEAM IN HUMSS

WRITER/S:
WRITER: ANGELITO
ANGELITO S.
S. GENESE
GENESE
VALIDATORS:
VALIDATORS:
DR.
DR. MARILEX
MARILEX A.A. TERCIAS
TERCIAS DR.
DR. EUGENE
EUGENE M.M. TORALBA
TORALBA
DR.
DR. ALBERTO
ALBERTO O.O. RABANG
RABANG DR.
DR. VIRGINIA
VIRGINIA B.
B. FREGILLANA
FREGILLANA
JEANNEROSE
JEANNEROSE M. M. ACOSTA
ACOSTA ZOSIMA
ZOSIMA IRENE
IRENE H.
H. FERNANDEZ
FERNANDEZ
MA.
MA. JOCELYN
JOCELYN J.J. SOTONG
SOTONG DANILO
DANILO T.
T. SIBLAG
SIBLAG
VICTOR
VICTOR B.
B. ABAN
ABAN JAMELIE
JAMELIE M.
M. CRISPINO
CRISPINO

CONSULTANTS:
CONSULTANTS:
DR.
DR. MAYBELENE C. BAUTISTA
DANILO C. SISON DR.
DR. JEROME
TEODORAS.V.
PARAS
NABOR
DR. CORNELIO R. AQUINO
DR. CORNELIO R. AQUINO DR. TEODORA V. NABOR
DR. JEROME S. PARAS
DR. DANILO
DR. MAYBELENE C. C. SISON
BAUTISTA

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ANSWER KEY FOR ASSESSMENT

I. Multiple Choice II. Matching Type III. Poster Making

1. B 1. C  Answer may vary.
2. D 2. D Refer to rubrics.
3. A 3. A
4. B 4. B
5. B 5. E
6. H
7. I
8. G
9. J
10. F

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