Senior High School Introduction To World Religion and Belief System School Year 2022-2023

KINGFISHER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Senior High School

Introduction To World Religion And Belief System
School Year 2022-2023
Written Work 4
A Comparative Analysis Report on
(Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism)
Maveler S. Takeda
HUMSS 11 Student
Vanessa Tayab
Subject Teacher
Senior High School
ABSTRACT
There are 2 main Southeast Asian religions namely Hinduism and Buddhism which
have two sects that are; Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism. Each one
of them has characteristics that make it a distinct religion. This comparative
examination demonstrates the differences, commonalities, justification for each
religion's influence on the globe, proof of their shared ancestry, and research on
their core beliefs. This essay will discuss the various facets of each religion,
highlighting their similarities and differences in order to provide readers a deeper
understanding of the doctrines, rituals, and general outlook of the three major
faiths.
INTRODUCTION
The beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism include a wide variety of beliefs.

Hinduism and Buddhism are somewhat similar based on the following ideas; major
beliefs, founder, and sacred text. The major beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism are
similar. Hindu thinkers came to believe that everything in the universe was part of
the unchanging, all powerful spiritual force called Brahman. The most important
gods are Brahman, the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer. These gods were
in many forms such as, human or animal and each has his own family. Hindus goal
is to become free from the law of karma. Buddhists do not worship any gods or
God. Buddhism believed in the four noble truths. The Buddha spent his life
teaching others what he learned. Nirvana is their final goal, union with the universe
and release from the cycle of rebirth. Hinduism and Buddhism both accepted the
law of Karma, Dharma, and Moksha and believed in a cycle of rebirth. Hinduism
and Buddhism both believe in the existence of several hells and heavens or higher
and lower worlds. The founders of Hinduism and Buddhism are both unlike most
major religions.
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ALL ABOUT HINDUISM

History and Founder
Hinduism has been practiced for more than 4,000 years, making it the oldest
religion in the world. Hinduism is the third most popular religion in the world
today, after Islam and Christianity, with around 900 million followers. India is
home to over 95% of all Hindus in the globe. It is hard to determine the religion's
beginnings and history because there is no known founder. Hinduism is distinct in
that it is a collection of numerous traditions and concepts rather than a single
religion.
Hinduism is a significant worldwide religion that originated in India and

consists of many different philosophical, religious, and ritual traditions. Although
British writers first developed the term "Hinduism" in the early 19th century, it
refers to a vast legacy of books and activities, some of which date back to the
second millennium BCE or even earlier. Hinduism is the oldest living religion on
Earth if the Indus valley civilization was the first source of these teachings,which
was around 3rd–2nd millennia BCE. Hinduism began to dominate Southeast Asia
about the fourth century CE and maintained its dominance for more than a
thousand years.
The term "Hinduism" became well-known as a designation of religious

beliefs and practices unique to India. It began as a phrase used by foreigners, based
on the word's historical associations with Hinduism. Greek and Persian explorers
were among the first to refer to the people of the Indus valley as "Hindu," and by
the 16th century, Indians themselves were using the name to set themselves apart
from the Turks. The divide gradually shifted from being predominantly ethnic,
geographic, or cultural to being primarily religious.
Hindus have reacted to the term "Hinduism" in a variety of ways from the
late 19th century. It has been rejected by some people in favor of regional versions.
Others have favored "Vedic religion," using the term Vedic to refer to a fluid
corpus of sacred writings in numerous languages and an orthoprax or a
traditionally sanctioned way of life in addition to the ancient religious scriptures
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known as the Vedas. Others have preferred the term "eternal law," which was
coined in the 19th century and emphasizes the timeless aspects of the tradition that
are seen to transcend regional interpretations and practice. Yet others have opted to
call the religion sanatana dharma. Ultimately, some people—possibly the
majority—have simply embraced the name Hinduism or its counterparts,
particularly hindu dharma, the term used in many Indic languages to refer to the
Hindu moral and religious law.
Hinduism is a religion that worships a variety of gods. This is why Hinduism

is classified as a polytheistic religion as there are tons of gods that they worship.
Although some scholars argue that Hinduism is a henotheistic religion as they
worship the supreme creator also called Brahman. The earth is ruled by three Gods,
according to Hinduism. Shiva is the destroyer, Vishnu is the preserver, and Brahma
is the creator. The three Gods that rule the world have consorts and they are
goddesses too. The goddess of wisdom Sarasvati is the consort of Brahma.
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is Vishnu's consort. Shiva's consort
is Parvati who is also known as Kali or Durga.
Some gods have more than one name. Along with many other names, Shiva
is also referred to as Shankar, Mahadev, Natraj, and Mahesh. Ganpati is another
name for Ganesh. Vishnu incarnated 9 times to fulfill his task and in his every
appearance he had a distinct form which is also venerated as Gods. He appeared as
Rama, Krishna, Narsimha, Parsuram, and Buddha, among other characters.
Krishna goes by many names, including Gopal, Kishan, Shyam, and others. He
also has additional titles with meanings like 'Bansuri Wala' which means the flute
musician and 'Makhan Chor' which means the butter stealer. Gods can also assume
different forms; for instance, Parvati can become Kali or Durga.
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From Left to Right: Brahma, Vishnu, From Left to Right: Sarasvati,

and Shiva Lakshmi, and Parvati
There are numerous other Gods and Goddesses in addition to these. To

mention a few, there is Ganesh, who is the son of Shiva and Parvati and has an
elephant's head; Hanuman, who is an ape; Surya, the sun god; Ganga Ma, the
Ganges river goddess; Samundra, the sea god; Indra, the ruler of the gods; Prithvi,
the soil goddess; and Shakti, the goddess of power. Hindus refer to their goddesses
as "Ma," which means mother.
Not all Hindus worship each of these gods. Only Vishnu is revered by
certain Hindus. Some people solely revere Shiva. Some people solely worship the
goddesses, and they refer to all of the goddesses as Shakti, which means strength.
Many of these goddess worshippers revere Parvati as Kali or Durga in her various
forms. Those who worship Shiva or Vishnu also revere figures and representations
of these deities. Vaishnaites, who worship Vishnu, also revere his outward
manifestations. Those who worship Shiva (Shaivites) also venerate images of the
bull Nandi, who served as Shiva's chariot, and a special stone carving associated
with Shiva. Hindus are another group who practice pantheism. Certain gods, like
Rama and Krishna, are venerated throughout all of India, while others, like
Ganesh, are more revered in certain parts of the country than others. Hindus also
offer prayers to the gods in accordance with their own requirements.
Sacred Scriptures
There are two classifications of sacred texts for Hinduism and Buddhism
namely Smriti and Shruti. Shruti is regarded as everlasting, canonical, and consists
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of revelation and undeniable truth. It is also known as "that which has been heard."
Specifically, it alludes to the Vedas themselves. Smriti, which means "that which
has been remembered," is additional and subject to change. Just to the extent that it
complies with Shruti's fundamental principles, it is authoritative. It is important to
note that there is no clear separation between Shruti and Smriti. It is possible to
think of Shruti and Smriti as existing on a continuum, with some texts being more
canonical than others.
Several holy books exist as well, including the Puranas, the Ramayana, and
the Mahabharata. These texts serve as the foundation for the various Gods and
Goddesses found in Hindu mythology. The most widely read Hindu works are the
Ramayana and the Mahabharta.
Puranas. The Puranas are sacred books written in Sanskrit that were
originally transmitted orally for hundreds of years before being recorded beginning
in the second century CE. They are a portion of the Hindu religion's sacred
literature, which also includes the Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, and
famous epics. The four Vedas are the primary works of Hinduism. These are Rig
Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
Rig Veda. One of the most significant writings in Hinduism is the Rig Veda,
the oldest of the four Vedas. It is a large collection of hymns to the gods that are
chanted at different ceremonies. They were written in Vedic, an ancient dialect that
eventually gave rise to classical Sanskrit. The ten volumes, or mandalas, that make
up the Rig Veda's 1028 hymns.
Yajur Veda. Hindu ceremonies and worship use the Yajur Veda, an ancient
compilation of Sanskrit mantras and poems. Yajur Veda is sometimes translated as
"Knowledge of the Sacrifice," and its name is derived from the Sanskrit roots
“yajus”, which means "worship" or "sacrifice," and “veda”, which means
"knowledge." It is primarily intended for Hindu priests because it describes how
religious rituals and sacred ceremonies should be performed. The adhvaryu, who
officiates the technical aspects of a sacrifice, is most frequently heard reciting the
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verses from the Yajur Veda during religious rites like those performed before the
yajna fire.
Sama Veda.Sama Veda, often known as the "Book of Song," "Veda of

Chants," or even "Yoga of Song," is a collection of melodies and chants that
essentially translates as "Rig Veda" put to music. Sama Veda is an ancient Hindu
scripture and one of the four main Vedas of Hinduism. There are over 1,900 verses
in it, nearly all of which are drawn from the "Rig Veda."
Atharva Veda. One of the four Vedas, generally referred to as the fourth
Veda, is the "Atharva Veda," an ancient Hindu text. The term "Veda of Magical
Formulas" is occasionally used, but scholars do not agree with this description. It is
a collection of 20 books that includes hymns, chants, spells, and prayers. It deals
with topics including illness healing, life extension, black magic, and rituals for
curing ailments and easing anxiety.
Brahmanas. The Brahmanas are historic texts from India that have a
connection to yoga. The term "yoga" is first used and defined in these prose
commentaries on the four Vedas, the earliest Hindu sacred books. They are within
the category of Hindu sruti literature. 19 Brahmana writings from ancient India still
remain in their entirety, despite the fact that many have been lost. The Brahmanas
include mythology, folklore, instructions for performing rituals, explanations of
specific Vedic terms that are considered sacred, and some philosophy. A priestly or
Brahman's speech is another example of a brahmana. It is more frequently used to
discuss the definition and significance of a sacred word.
Aranyakas. Because they were written for ascetics, or rishis, who had
retired to the isolation of the forest to advance their contemplative and meditative
practices, the name Aranyaka derives from the Sanskrit root word "aranya," which
means "forest." A group of books known as the Aranyakas are a component of the
Vedas, a body of ancient Indian and yogic intellectual literature. The Aranyakas
describe the Vedic ritual sacrifice portions' philosophical foundations.
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Upanishads. The Sanskrit word Upanishad, which may be divided into three
pieces and translated as "upa" meaning close, "ni" as down, and "shad" as to sit, is
commonly translated as "sitting down by." The intention of these writings to
directly transmit knowledge and truth from instructor to pupil is thus indicated by
the word's definition. It is believed that the Upanishads, a group of Sanskrit books,
include the direct teachings that the ancient Indian sages or Rishis gave to their
disciples.
Vedangas. The six disciplines connected with studying the ancient Indian
spiritual books, the Vedas, are referred to as the "limbs of the Vedas" in the phrase
"the Vedanga." These texts served as the cornerstone for both Hinduism and yoga.
Together, these six "limbs" can help with Vedic study, preservation, and
interpretation. They were created in ancient India with the intention of giving
Vedic scholars a comprehensive and integrated grasp of the texts.
Mahabharata. One of the two Sanskrit epic poems of ancient India is the
Mahabharata, which translates as "Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty" in Sanskrit.
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic where the main story revolves around
two branches of a family - the Pandavas and Kauravas - who, in the Kurukshetra
War, battle for the throne of Hastinapura. The Mahabharata is an important source
of information on the development of Hinduism between 400 BCE and 200 CE and
is regarded by Hindus as both a text about dharma and a history.
Ramayana. The Ramayana is an old Sanskrit epic that chronicles Prince

Rama's journey to save his beloved wife Sita from Ravana's grasp with the aid of a
monkey army. It is typically dated to between 500 BCE and 100 BCE and given
the authorship to the sage Valmiki. The epic, which has 24,000 words and is
divided into seven cantos, contains the wisdom of extremely old Hindu gurus. One
of the most significant literary works of ancient India, it has had a significant
impact on art and culture in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, with early
versions of the story also found in Buddhist literature. Some of India's best writers
have often recreated the tale of Rama in lyrical and dramatic form, as well as in
narrative sculptures on temple walls. It is frequently performed in dance-dramas,
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village theater, shadow-puppet theater, and the yearly Ram-lila. It is one of the
mainstays of later theatrical traditions (Rama-play).
Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that

presents a narrative synthesis of various important philosophical ideas from
Hinduism and yoga. One of India's most well-known epic poems is the
Mahabharata, and this is its sixth book. The text emphasizes the value of
selflessness while providing a variety of paths to freedom from suffering,
self-realization, and connection with the Divine. It is advised that meditation,
self-study, devotion, and other spiritual practices be carried out with complete
focus and awareness. The term Bhagavad Gita, which refers to Lord Krishna, one
of the story's main characters, means "Song of the Lord." The story is set at the
Battle of Kurukshetra, where the Pandavas, Arjuna's family, and allies, battled the
Duryodhanas, a prince and his family which is the Kauravas.
Beliefs and Doctrines
Samsara. In the Hindu concept of samsara, the physical body may die, but
the atman or soul is eternal. Depending on the person's behavior during life, the
atman will be reborn into a form that is better, worse, or equivalent to the form it
took in the prior life. Once the atman has reached a state of enlightenment, it will
not be reborn again. Samsara in Hinduism is often called reincarnation in the West,
but the concept involves more than just continual death and rebirth. In
reincarnation in Hinduism, the cycle of samsara can be thought of as a series of
opportunities for the atman to attain enlightenment; when that is achieved through
life experience, the atman escapes samsara.
Atman. Atman is a Hindu word that means ‘soul or spirit’. Essentially, it

refers to the real person inside an individual. It is made of part of the spirit of
Brahman, who Hindus believe is the one true ultimate God. Therefore, it is not
something that can be seen or touched, but it is eternal and everlasting.
Nirvana. Nirvana, also known as moksha in Hinduism, is the union with

Brahman, the all-encompassing divinity or all-pervading soul. According to
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conventional Hinduism, a soul ascends through the caste system over the course of
many lives before arriving in this state.
Karma. Works carried out over the course of a life are referred to as karma.
The atman is liberated from samsara and achieves nirvana once it has amassed
enough good karma. The idea of doing good deeds is not the same as karma in
other religions like Christianity. Instead, events that lead to enlightenment in the
atman are what create karma. Each atman strives to reach a state of
non-attachment, which is defined as a state in which the being is not controlled by
wants for things, people, or experiences. The atman will have evolved to the point
where it has attained non-attachment and enlightenment once it has worked
through enough positive karma. Karma is not a form of retribution that one should
inflict on themselves or other people. The notion that someone could have ill luck
as a result of bad action is mostly a Western belief. Instead, karma is a sequence of
actions that will likely control the atman's subsequent rebirths.
Dharma. Dharma is described as cosmic law or order. The best way to

define dharma is as behavior that preserves fundamental natural principles, which,
when observed by humanity, enable happiness and prevent suffering. Morality and
spiritual discipline work together to provide direction for daily life. In Hinduism,
dharma refers to the rules, qualities, obligations, rights, and righteous conduct.
Dharmachakra. Hinduism most frequently refers to the Dharma Wheel as

the Wheel of Law when referring to the Dharmachakra. Devout Hindu adherents
are required to observe this emblem of discipline and religious regularity. Dharma,
which means "law," is derived from the Sanskrit verb dhr, which also means "to
retain and sustain" and "what is fixed or firm." In many representations of Vishnu,
the god of preservation, the Dharma Wheel can be seen. Vishnu, one of the Hindu
Triumvirate, is the deity in charge of guarding people and establishing and
upholding order in the universe. He is frequently seen with a discus or wheel,
which is said to be a particularly potent weapon that can subdue passions and
cravings.
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Worships and Observances
Mandir. Mandir is the name for a Hindu temple. Hindus revere it as a

sacred location. In the UK, there are hundreds of mandirs. Nearly every village in
India, the country where the majority of Hindus reside, has a temple. Temples
frequently honor the deities whose murtis occupy them with exquisite decoration,
sculpture, and illumination.
Diwali. Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and fortune, is honored during

the festival of lights, which takes place somewhere in October or November and
lasts for around four to five days. During this time, families frequently go to the
temple and offer gifts to Lakshmi there. They also practice home worship, maybe
even designating a particular spot on their home altar for Lakshmi. The entire
celebration is a time of immense delight, and Hindus flood their homes with light.
Doors are left open to welcome her into the home.
Makar Sankranti. In India, Makar Sankranti is regarded as a very

significant occasion. Everything that we identify as life is movement, hence the
name Sankranti, which means "movement." Have no doubts about this because
fortunately, those who came before us have moved on and those who will follow us
are ready for us to move on. The planet churns up life because it is in motion. It
wouldn't be capable of life if it were still. Every living thing participates in what is
known as movement, yet if movement is required, it must be contained and can
only occur in the presence of stillness. One who does not experience the stillness of
his life, his being, or knows not or has not tasted the stillness both within and
without, will inevitably become lost in the action.
Maha Shivaratri. According to mythology, Lord Shiva performs his

heavenly dance, or "tandav," on the night of Maha Shivaratri, also known as "the
glorious night of Shiva." The Hindu holiday of Maha Shivaratri is observed yearly
in remembrance of Lord Shiva, the God of destruction. According to the Hindu
calendar, Shivaratri is observed in each of the luni-solar months, but once a year,
Maha Shivaratri is observed in late winter to mark the impending summer.
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According to mythology, Lord Shiva performs his heavenly dance, or "tandav," on

the night of Maha Shivaratri, also known as "the glorious night of Shiva."
Holi. Holi is widely and enthusiastically celebrated throughout India. It

heralds the arrival of spring and is primarily observed by sprinkling colorful paste
and water on everybody who is out and about. It is also observed across a number
of days.
Ram Navami. Ram Navami commemorates the birth of the Hindu god
Rama, who is revered as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the supreme
divinity of Vaishnavism, and represents courage and virtue. The festival takes place
in either March or April during the spring. Participants in devotional worship
(puja) take part in group meals, humanitarian activities, and readings of Rama
legends including the Ramayana and Mahabharata. During Ram Navami, some
Hindus observe fasts and spend time considering their morals.
Raksha Bandhan. Siblings all over the world are preparing to celebrate the
upcoming Rakhi holiday with much excitement. Hindus celebrate Raksha Bandhan
to recognize the unique kinship that siblings share. Every region of India, but
mainly the North and West, celebrates it with fervor. It occurs on the Purnima, or
full moon day, of the Shravan or Sawan month. The sisters wish their brothers a
long, prosperous, and happy life when they tie rakhi on their wrists on this day. The
brothers agree to safeguard their sisters for the rest of their lives in exchange. On
this day, siblings also exchange unique gifts, with the brother spoiling the sister
with her favorite things.
Krishna Janmashtami. Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami,

Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami, or Srijayanti, is a Hindu festival that commemorates
the birth of Krishna, the eighth manifestation of Vishnu. The two cities where
Krishna is thought to have been born and raised, Mathura and Vrindavan,
respectively, host the biggest celebrations of this festival.
Navaratri. A celebration of the Divine Feminine, Navaratri is most

frequently linked to Durga Ma and Goddess Parvati. Nine days and nights are
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dedicated to this event, during which time different manifestations of the Devi are
worshiped. The festival of Navaratri honors Her many incarnations and triumphs
over evil spirits. One such holy victory was a conflict with the formidable demon
Mahishasura, who could not be slain by either man or God. On the tenth day,
Durga Ma triumphed. Rama, the seventh manifestation of Vishnu, is thought to
have received the advice to worship the Goddess in order to defeat his adversary
Ravana. Rama worshiped a different manifestation of the Goddess on each of the
nine days of this conflict. On Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra, the day following
Navaratri, he ultimately triumphed. An equivalent of this festival honoring the
Goddess is celebrated in Nepal for 15 days under the name Dashain, with Vijaya or
Bijaya Dashami celebrated on the tenth day.
Subdivisions
Shaivism. Shaivism has no beginning, making it really ageless and old. It is

the forerunner of the complex religion presently known as Hinduism. Shiva
worship may be traced back more than 8,000 years to the sophisticated Indus
Valley culture, according to scholars. Yet, sacred books assert that Shaivism has
always been. Shiva Siddhanta, Pashupatism, Kashmir Shaivism, Vira Shaivism,
Siddha Siddhanta, and Shiva Advaita are the six major schools that have been
documented in modern history. A practical culture, an enlightened perspective on
man's place in the universe, and a profound system of temple mysticism and siddha
yoga are where Shaivism's grandeur and beauty can be found. It offers
understanding of how man has progressed away from God and back toward God,
as well as the soul's development and awakening as guided by wise people. Similar
to all sects, the majority of its members are devout families led by hundreds of
orders of swamis and sadhus who pursue the arduous, renunciation of the world
path to moksha.
Shaktism. Shaktism honors the Divine Mother, Shakti or Devi, in all of Her
varied manifestations, both benevolent and ferocious. Shaktas invoke cosmic
energies and awaken the kundalini strength via mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga, and
puja. About the fifth century, an organized sect of Hinduism called Shakta emerged
in India. Nowadays, it has four different manifestations, including religious,
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folk-shamanic, yogic, and universalist, all of which invoke the ferocious might of
Kali or Durga or the kind grace of Parvati or Ambika. Shakta devotees seek closer
ties to the Goddess through puja rituals, particularly those performed on the Shri
Chakra yantra. For healing, fertility, prophecy, and power, shamanic shaktism uses
magic, trance mediumship, firewalking, and animal sacrifice. The goal of Shakta
yogis is to awaken the dormant Goddess Kundalini and bring Shiva and her
together at the crown chakra. Shakta universalists adhere to the reformed Vedantic
tradition, which Sri Ramakrishna served as an example of.
Vaishnavism. Vishnu, whose name means "pervader," has been worshiped

since the Vedic era. Prior to 300 bce, the Pancharatra and Bhagavata sects were
well-known. The five Vaishnava institutions that exist today were established in the
middle centuries by Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha, and Chaitanya.
Prapatti, or complete surrender to Vishnu or one of His ten or more incarnations,
known as avatars, is emphasized in Vaishnavism. Japa and kirtana, or enthusiastic
chanting and dancing, are important elements of devotional sadhana. Festivals and
temple worship are both carefully observed.
Smartism. A devotee of classical smriti, particularly the Dharma Shastras,

Puranas, and Itihasas, is referred to as a smarta. The Vedas are revered, and the
Agamas are respected. Adi Shankara, the monk-philosopher known as shanmata
sthapanacharya, the "father of the six-sect system," promoted the unification of the
Hindu faiths of his time under the name of Advaita Vedanta, and his teachings have
come to be associated with this faith. He made the old Smarta five-god altar
Ganapati, Surya, Vishnu, Siva, and Shakti famous and added Kumara to unite the
worship. Devotees might select their "favorite god," or Ishta Devata, from these.
Each deity is merely an image of the singular Saguna Brahman.
Selected Issues
Polygamy. The practice of polygamy is against the law. both in accordance

with Indian Law and the Hindu Marriage Act. A Hindu cannot currently have two
spouses at the same time or marry more than one person. Legally, a Hindu is only
permitted to wed one person at a time. He or she is not permitted to maintain many
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spouses concurrently. A person is not permitted to marry someone else while they
are already married to them. The second marriage will be regarded as unlawful if
he or she does this. Also, under the Hindu Marriage Act, the first spouse may bring
a claim against the spouse who is engaging in polygamy. The Hindu Marriage Act
is a written legislation that forbids polygamy among Hindus.
Sati. Some Hindu groups practice sati (also known as suttee), when a
recently widowed lady commits suicide as a result of her husband's passing either
voluntarily or under the threat of force or coercion. The most well-known instance
of sati is when a woman burns to death on her husband's funeral pyre. Sati as a
practice was first recorded in 510 CCE, when a stele commemorating a similar
incident was erected at Eran, a historic city in the modern state of Madhya Pradesh.
Despite the fact that the Brahmins first opposed the practice, the ritual started to
gain favor as indicated by the number of stones erected to commemorate satis,
notably in southern India and among the higher castes of Indian society (Auboyer
2002).
Poverty. Simple rural living is sometimes seen in the wealthy world as a

sign of social retardation and extreme poverty. Hindus have historically seen it as
honorable to choose a simple lifestyle for spiritual reasons. The West is prone to
rapidly dismissing India's socio-religious rituals as outdated and unimportant
because of divergent perspectives on money, poverty, and prosperity. Yet, poverty
is still a significant issue in many places.
Child Marriage. Child marriage is prohibited in accordance with Vedic

philosophy. A boy must be at least 25 years old to get married, while a girl must be
at least 18 years old. Nonetheless, India has continued to practice child marriage
against the Vedas from the Medieval Ages to the present. There are numerous
reasons to think that this tradition truly dates back to the Middle Ages, when law
and order were still being established nationally and the political atmosphere was
unpredictable. A hierarchy headed by a dictatorial king had a concentration of
arbitrary authority.
Dowry System. In the Indian subcontinent, the practice of dowry has no
historical foundation. Indian women possessed property rights throughout the
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Vedic era, and their assets were not automatically transferred to their husbands
upon marriage. It was illegal to enter even a little portion of a woman's property,
according to the law. The women are brought forward by their fathers in public as
soon as they are ready to be married, to be chosen by the winner in wrestling,
boxing, running, or someone who excels in any other manly activity. They
(Indians) do not give or receive dowries.
ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM

Founder
About 563 BCE, Siddhartha Gautama, the father of Buddhism, was born into
a prosperous household. Gautama rejected a life of luxury in favor of asceticism, or
rigorous self-control. Gautama, also known as the "enlightened one," meditated for
49 days before becoming the Buddha. The Buddha, who also went by the name
Siddhartha Gautama, founded Buddhism in the fifth century B.C.
The "spirit" or "essence" of the Buddha's teachings, also known as dhamma

or dharma, has been used as a model for religious life in every Buddhist tradition,
which has evolved into many different forms over time. Buddhism was founded by
Siddhartha Gautama (the "Buddha") at the end of the sixth century B.C.E.
Life of Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama is said to have lived

between 563 and 483 B.C., but some academics believe he may have lived up to a
century later. The stories that built up around him claim that both his conception
and birth were miraculous. He was born to the Shakya clan's rulers, hence his name
Shakyamuni, which means "sage of the Shakya clan." When a white elephant
entered Maya's right side in a dream, she became pregnant and gave birth to him.
He was born while she was standing and holding onto a tree in a garden. Fully
complete, the infant emerged through Maya's right side and took seven steps. After
returning to the palace, he was shown to an astrologer who gave him the name
Siddhartha ("One who achieves His Goal") and predicted that he would either
become a great king or a famous religious teacher. He was shielded from the harsh
realities of life by his father, who apparently believed that any terrible experience
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may lead Siddhartha to choose a life of renunciation as a religious teacher. He also

did not want to lose his son to such a future.
As a result of Siddhartha's upbringing in a beautiful palace, where he was

surrounded by every comfort, he was unaware of the ravages of poverty, illness,
and even old age. At the age of 29, he took three separate chariot rides outside the
palace grounds during which he encountered a corpse, an elderly person, and a sick
person for the first time. After seeing a travelling holy man on his fourth journey,
Siddhartha was inspired to adopt a similar austere lifestyle in order to find relief
from the anguish brought on by the endless cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation.
Siddhartha sneaked out of the palace in the middle of the night, sending his servant
and horseback with all of his possessions and jewelry since he knew his father
would try to stop him. He gave up his opulent lifestyle entirely and lived as an
ascetic for six years, practicing various yogic practices in an effort to control his
natural cravings for food, sex, and comfort. He eventually accepted a dish of rice
from a young girl while on the verge of death due to his meticulous fasting. Once
he had eaten, he came to the conclusion that physical chastity was not the path to
spiritual liberation. He spent the entire night sitting and meditating under a pipal
tree at a location that is now known as Bodh Gaya, or the "enlightenment site." At
the age of 35, Siddhartha attained enlightenment and transformed into a Buddha
also known as the "enlightened one" after overcoming the forces of the demon
Mara.
After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha continued to sit and meditate, first
standing next to the tree for a few weeks. He was engulfed in torrential rains while
meditating during the fifth or sixth week, but he was shielded by the hood of the
serpent king Muchilinda. He left his spot under the tree seven weeks after his
awakening and made the decision to share what he had learnt with others. He urged
people to take what he dubbed "The Middle Way," which is a path of moderation
rather than radicalism. On the outskirts of the city of Benares, in Sarnath, he
delivered his first sermon in a deer park. His following quickly grew, and for the
next 45 years he spent touring around northeastern India disseminating his beliefs.
Despite the fact that the Buddha solely identified as a teacher and not a deity or a
thing to be worshiped, he is supposed to have worked numerous miracles while on
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earth. According to traditional stories, he consumed a contaminated piece of either

pork or a mushroom before passing away in Kushinagara at the age of 80. His
remnants were divided among his disciples after his body was cremated. Large
hemispherical burial mounds, some of which became significant pilgrimage
destinations, housed these sacred treasures.
By the Pala era, the Buddha's life had been reduced to a sequence of "Eight
Major Events" in India. In chronological order, the following eight events took
place in the life of the Buddha: his birth, his victory over Mara and subsequent
enlightenment, his first sermon at Sarnath, the miracles he worked at Shravasti, his
descent from the Heaven of the Thirty-three Gods, his taming of a wild elephant,
the monkey's gift of honey, and his death.
MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
History
One of the main branches of Buddhism is the Mahayana. The name

"Mahayana" means "Big Vehicle" and is derived from the Sanskrit terms "Maha"
and "Yana," which respectively indicate great or large and vehicle.
Historians believe that Mahayana evolved in the first century AD. Early
Buddhism in India encouraged adherents to commit themselves to the practice of
meditation to become enlightened beings, or "arhats." as a movement among
sincere monks who were looking for ways to reach nirvana faster than through
simple meditation. Celestial bodhisattvas, strong gods who assisted the Buddhas
and watched out for suffering creatures across the cosmos, were also introduced by
Mahayana Buddhism. Practices such as prayer, offerings and chanting the names of
Buddhas and bodhisattvas became popular among devotees who sought their
blessings.
Mahayana Buddhism is best understood as a diverse and open-minded

family of Buddhist traditions rather than as a single school or sect. The Mahayana
school of Buddhism was the one that was most widely embraced outside of India,
having been spread by traders and missionaries through the Silk Road and
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maritime trade routes. It had spread throughout Asia by the fifth century, from
Afghanistan to Japan and from Tibet to Indonesia.
Sacred Scriptures
Sutras. In Buddhism, a sutra ,Sanskrit word for "thread", is a written work

that is thought to accurately preserve key teachings of the respective faiths and lead
a follower on the path from ignorance and entrapment in the endless cycle of
rebirth and death toward spiritual liberation. Thus, a sutra is considered to be a
fundamental part of the text of each of these various faiths. The writings are
referred to as sutras because, like a thread, they connect an earlier oral tradition in
written form. Since the compositions were written on leaves or compressed
bamboo slats that were subsequently bound together with thread, the term was
almost certainly also originally descriptive.
Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is regarded as Mahayana Buddhism's most

significant literature. It brings Shakyamuni's complete system of Indian Buddhism
into clear focus. A society that values peace and the dignity of life will be
established as a result of the Lotus Sutra's unique message, which is to educate all
beings, free them from suffering, and allow them to experience true happiness.
This is the ultimate objective of Buddhism as a whole.
According to the Lotus Sutra, everyone can become a Buddha in this

lifetime in their current state. A person only needs to follow the bodhisattva path,
which entails acting compassionately toward others based on the understanding
that it is impossible to experience true bliss while other people are in need. The
Lotus Sutra is passed down through study and instruction, ensuring that future
generations will experience peace and happiness thanks to the sutra.
Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. The Prajnaparamita Sutra, also known as the

"Perfection of Wisdom" sutras, is one of the first sutras in the Mahyna Buddhist
canon. They draw attention to the realization of the emptiness of all occurrences.
The canon of Tibetan Buddhism contains twenty-one volumes of the sutras in
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various formats and sizes. With other versions measuring 25000 and 8000 verses,
the biggest Perfection of Wisdom is 100,000 verses long.
The Perfection of Wisdom Sutra has also been crucial to the religious
practices of lay Buddhists. This has happened either through the commissioning of
priceless copies of the sutra as a way to earn religious merit (for example, for the
benefit of a deceased relative), or through the inviting of monks from a monastery
into a private home for lengthy recitations in order to benefit from the text.
Heart Sutra. Mahayana Buddhism uses the Heart of Great Wisdom Sutra,
also referred to as the "Heart Sutra," for just about everything. It is used for
protection, blessings, exorcism, gratitude, and thanksgiving. It is recited as a
devotion to the Buddha's teaching on sunyata, or emptiness. It truly is the sutra
equivalent of a Swiss army knife since it can be used for anything.
The Heart Sutra, like the Lord's Prayer in Christianity, is well-known

wherever Mahayana Buddhism is practiced. In Tibet, China, Southeast Asia, and
Japan, it is recited before meals, at the conclusion of zazen (sitting meditation), and
at rites of commitment.
Land of Bliss Sutra. Around the second century BCE, India gave rise to the
Buddhist School known as Pure Land Buddhism. At that time, Amitabha had a
huge following in China. As a result, Pure Land Buddhism's teachings swiftly
spread to China and, by the sixth century, to Japan.
The first separate branch of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, Jodo-shu (The
Pure Land School), was started by Honen, a pioneer in religious reform. He
disregarded the intricate theories and advanced meditation practices used by other
schools of Buddhism. In the 12th century, Pure Land Buddhism saw a substantial
increase in popularity as a result of his simplifications. On the basis of Shinran
(1173–1262), a follower of Honenfresh ,'s interpretation of the Pure Land
teachings, the Shin (genuine) sect was established a century later.
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Diamond Sutra. One of the most significant and revered Buddhist

scriptures is the Diamond Sutra. According to the book, it can be viewed as the
"diamond that slices through illusion" and that grasping it will result in "the Most
Perfect Knowledge." It is a collection of sutras known as the Prajnaparamita
(perfection of wisdom) sutras in the Mahayana Buddhist school and was probably
written in Sanskrit as early as the first century BCE. It is also given special
consideration in a number of Zen/Ch'an schools, which are frequently seen as
being a part of the Mahayana heritage. This sutra is presented as a dialogue
between the Buddha and Subhuti, one of his followers.
Trikaya. In Buddhism, the three bodies, or levels of manifestation, are

referred to as trikaya. The phrase, which is frequently translated as "having three
bodies," is derived from the Sanskrit words trika, which means "threefold," and
kaya, which means "body," and also means "buddha," in the sense of an
enlightened one, generally.
The three bodies that make up the trikaya are the physical body
(nirmanakaya), the truth body (dharmakaya), and the bliss body (sambhogakaya).
The levels of buddhahood are explained using the trikaya idea, depending on the
Buddhist tradition.
Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva path serves as the theoretical foundation for

Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhists place more emphasis on releasing
other sentient beings from suffering than on achieving personal liberation. In
Mahayana Buddhism, the term "bodhisattva" is defined in the Ashasrik
Prajnaparamita Sutra as the following: “Because he has enlightenment as his aim, a
bodhisattva-mahāsattva is so called .”
Everyone is encouraged by Mahayana Buddhism to become Bodhisattvas,

achieve Enlightenment, and take Bodhisattva vows. Mahayana Buddhism places a
strong emphasis on the original advice of Buddha to "move forth for the welfare of
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the multitude." Mahayanists believed that compassion and wisdom go hand in

hand.
Nirvana. The Mahayana school of Buddhism holds that the path to Nirvana
can be followed more easily by those who honestly desire liberation and spiritual
awakening than by those who choose to remain ignorant. One can more
successfully set aside their desires if they honestly want to connect more deeply
with everything that is, which frees up space for them to truly feel compassion for
all living things.
Mahayana Buddhists hold that in order to achieve Nirvana, one needs to

emulate the Buddha and make an effort to convert into a bodhisattva, or a being
who is on the path to enlightenment as the Buddha was during his lifetime. This is
significant because, contrary to Theravada Buddhism, which holds that Nirvana is
more easily attained after death, Mahayana Buddhism holds that one can attain the
same level of awareness as the Buddha while still living. As a result, it is possible
to conclude that for Mahayana Buddhists, devotion is a key belief and method for
achieving Nirvana right now. Mahayana Buddhists also hold that progressing
toward Nirvana gets progressively simpler if one is selfless, self-sufficient, and
removed from the constraints of life.
Mahasanghika. During the Second Buddhist Council in 383 BCE, when the
Sthaviravada school, also known as the "Sect of the Elders" or "Teaching of the
Elders," split from the Buddhist community due to doctrinal disagreements, the
Mahasanghika, or "Great Congregation," emerged. The Mahasanghika school of
Buddhism was just one of many various Buddhist sects that resulted from this first
divide.19th-century scholars believed Mahasanghika, which claimed to represent
the majority of Buddhists (as its name suggests), eventually evolved into
Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle," according to modern scholars), but there is
evidence to suggest that Mahayana existed alongside Mahasanghika and was
supported and encouraged by that school. Scholars and Buddhist theologians
continue to disagree about how and why Mahayana Buddhism evolved.
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Four Noble Truths. The Buddha's teachings are summarized in the Four
Noble Truths. The four principles were what the Buddha realized while meditating
beneath the bodhi tree.
1. The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
2. The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya)
3. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)
4. The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)
Dukkha. The truth of suffering. There are numerous ways to suffer. The first
three things the Buddha observed on his first trip outside of his palace were old
age, illness, and death, which correspond to three prominently displayed types of
suffering. The Buddha, however, believed that the issue of suffering was
considerably more complicated. The reality of life is that it frequently falls short of
our expectations. Humans are prone to wants and needs, yet even when we are able
to satiate them, the pleasure is just fleeting. Desire either fades away quickly or, if
it does, becomes boring. Even when we are not experiencing external problems
like disease or loss, we lack fulfillment and satisfaction.
Samudaya. The truth of the origin of suffering. Our everyday problems may
appear to have clear-cut root causes, such as thirst, pain from an accident, or
sorrow over the loss of a loved one. But, the Buddha asserted in the second of his
Noble Truths that he had discovered the origin of all suffering, and that it lay much
deeper than our present concerns.
Nirodha. The truth of the cessation of suffering. The Buddha said that
releasing oneself from attachment is the only way to put an end to desire, which
results in suffering. The potential for emancipation is the third Noble Truth. This is
feasible within a human lifetime, as the Buddha served as a living example. An
enlightened person is freed from the cycle of rebirth after death, but Buddhism
offers no firm explanations for what comes beyond. The Buddha advised his
followers not to ponder nirvana in great detail. He wanted them to focus on what
needed to be done in order to break the cycle of pain. It is like arguing with the
doctor who is trying to save your life when you have questions.
Magga. The Buddha's prescription for the cessation of suffering is the last
Noble Truth. The Eightfold Way is a collection of ethical precepts. The Eightfold
Path is also known as the Middle Way because it stays away from extreme
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asceticism and indulgence, neither of which the Buddha found to be beneficial in

his quest for enlightenment.
Eightfold Path. The fourth part (Magga) of the Four Noble Truths is the
Noble Eightfold Path, also known as the Middle Way or the Threefold Way. It
offers Buddhists a way to put an end to suffering. But rather than being stages,
these eight guiding principles offer a path that can help put an end to suffering and
lead to enlightenment.
Right Understanding - Sammā ditthi. Accepting Buddhist teachings. The
Buddha never intended his followers to believe his teachings blindly, but to
practice them and judge for themselves whether they were true.
Right Intention - Sammā san̄kappa. A commitment to cultivate the right
attitudes.
Right Speech - Sammā vācā. Speaking truthfully, avoiding slander, gossip
and abusive speech.
Right Action - Sammā kammanta. Behaving peacefully and harmoniously;
refraining from stealing, killing and overindulgence in sensual pleasure.
Right Livelihood - Sammā ājīva. Avoiding making a living in ways that
cause harm, such as exploiting people or killing animals, or trading in intoxicants
or weapons.
Right Effort - Sammā vāyāma. Cultivating positive states of mind; freeing
oneself from evil and unwholesome states and preventing them arising in future.
Right Mindfulness - Sammā sati. Developing awareness of the body,
sensations, feelings and states of mind.
Right Concentration - Sammā samādhi. Developing the mental focus
necessary for this awareness.
Threefold Path. The eight steps can be divided into three categories:
Wisdom (right understanding and intention), Meditation (right effort, mindfulness
and concentration), and Ethical Conduct (right speech, action, and livelihood). The
Buddha compared the Eightfold Pathto a raft used to cross a river when describing
it as a route to enlightenment. One can leave the raft behind once they have
reached the other shore if they no longer require it.
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Six Perfections. Buddha identified six crucial mental states that we must
cultivate if we are to achieve any of our worthwhile life objectives. As we too can
achieve liberation and enlightenment by fully perfecting them, as the Buddhas
have, they are typically interpreted as "perfections." It can also be referred to by
their Sanskrit term, paramita, because using them will allow us to cross the vast
expanse of our issues.
1. Generosity (dana)
2. Morality (sila)
3. Patience (ksanti)
4. Energy (virya)
5. Meditation (dhyana/samadhi)
6. Wisdom (prajna)
Bodhisattva Precepts. The Bodhisattva Precepts are a series of ethical

guidelines that Mahayana Buddhists employ to help practitioners progress toward
enlightenment as Bodhisattvas. In the Mahayana school, monks may also follow
the Bodhisattva Precepts in addition to the basic Buddhist precepts known as the
Prtimoka.
1. Not to kill or encourage others to kill. A Buddhist disciple is forbidden
from killing anyone personally, inciting others to kill, carrying out murder
by deceitful ways, celebrating the murder of others, or carrying out murder
by the use of deviant mantras or incantations. He must not willfully kill any
living thing and must not provide the conditions, means, or karma of killing.
He should develop a mind of compassion and filial piety as a disciple of the
Buddha, constantly thinking of practical methods to save and safeguard all
beings. Instead, he commits a Parajika (serious) transgression if he lacks
self-control and mercilessly kills sentient individuals.
2. Not to steal or encourage others to steal. A Buddhist student is not
allowed to steal for themselves or to incite others to steal, use deviant
mantras or incantations to commit theft, or steal by using convenient
methods. He shouldn't instigate the circumstances, procedures, or karma
associated with theft. No valuables or possessions, not even those of ghosts,
spirits, or thieves and robbers, may be taken, not even something as small as
a needle or blade of grass. He should continually be assisting people in
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gaining merits and finding happiness as a disciple of the Buddha, acting with
mercy, compassion, and filial piety. Instead, he commits a Parajika violation
if he steals someone else's property.
3. Not to engage in licentious acts or encourage others to do so. A monk is
expected to abstain from sexual conduct entirely. A follower of the
Buddha must abstain from licentious behavior and must not promote it in
others. He [should] not engage in sexual activity with any female, whether
she be a human, animal, deity, or spirit, nor should he set up the
circumstances, procedures, or karma that would lead to such misconduct. He
must refrain from inappropriate sexual behavior with anyone. A student of
the Buddha should possess a mind of filial piety, saving all sentient beings
and teaching them the Dharma of chastity and purity. A Parajika crime is
instead committed if the person lacks compassion and encourages others to
participate in promiscuous sexual activity, especially with animals and even
their mothers, daughters, sisters, or other close relatives
4. Not to use false words and speech, or encourage others to do so.A
Buddha disciple must not encourage people to lie or employ deceptive
tactics while lying, and they must not engage in such behavior themselves.
He shouldn't get involved in the circumstances, causes, ways, or karma of
lying, pretending to have seen something he hasn't, or vice versa, or lying
subtly by using physical or mental tricks. He should always uphold right
speech and right views as a follower of the Buddha and inspire everyone else
to do the same. A Parajika infraction is instead committed if the offender
influences the improper words, wrong viewpoints, or evil karma of others.
5. Not to trade or sell alcoholic beverages or encourage others to do so. It is
forbidden for a follower of the Buddha to deal in alcoholic beverages or to
urge others to do so. While intoxicants are the causes and circumstances of
all forms of transgressions, he should not establish the causes, conditions,
techniques, or karma of selling any type of intoxicant. He should assist all
sentient beings in achieving clear wisdom as a student of the Buddha.
Instead, he violates the Parajika if he causes them to think invertedly or
upside-down.
6. Not to broadcast the misdeeds or faults of the Buddhist assembly, nor
encourage others to do so. A pupil of the Buddha must not publicly
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denounce the wrongdoings or transgressions of [ordinary] monks and nuns,

Bodhisattva-clerics, Bodhisattva-laypersons, or themselves, nor must they
incite others to do so. He shall refrain from establishing the motives,
circumstances, procedures, or karma for bringing up the offenses of the
assembly. Every time an evil person, an externalist, or a supporter of the
Two Vehicles speaks of actions that are against the Dharma or the precepts
within the Buddhist community, the disciple of the Buddha should instruct
them with a compassionate mind and encourage them to develop wholesome
faith in the Mahayana. Instead, he violates the Parajika if he talks about the
mistakes and wrongdoings that happen within the assembly.
7. Not to praise oneself and speak ill of others, or encourage others to do
so. A Buddha disciple is not allowed to praise oneself, disparage others, or
incite others to do so. He must refrain from establishing the reasons,
circumstances, means, or karma for exalting oneself while demeaning other
people. He should accept blame and let sentient creatures take all the credit
as a disciple of the Buddha, standing in for all sentient beings and enduring
humiliation and slander. Instead, he violates the Parajika if he highlights his
own merits while hiding the positive traits of others, subjecting them to
slander.
8. Not to be stingy, or encourage others to do so. A Buddha disciple must not
practice sternness or encourage others to practice it. He shouldn't set up the
conditions, procedures, or karma for being stingy. Every time a beggar asks
for assistance, a Bodhisattva should provide for that person's necessities.
Instead, he commits a Parajika offense if, out of bitterness and wrath, he
refuses all help—refusing to lend even a penny, a needle, a blade of grass, or
a single poem or phrase of Dharma—instead reprimanding and abusing that
person.
9. Not to harbor anger or encourage others to be angry. A Buddha follower
must neither harbor anger or incite others to anger. He shouldn't instigate the
conditions, means, karma, or causes of wrath. He should be filial and
compassionate as a disciple of the Buddha, assisting all sentient beings in
growing the virtues of non-contention. A Parajika offense is committed by
the disciple if, on the other hand, he verbally insults and abuses sentient
beings, or even transformation beings (such as deities and spirits), striking
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them with his fists or feet, attacking them with a knife or club, or holding
grudges even when the victim repents and humbly begs for forgiveness in a
soft, conciliatory voice.
10.Not to speak ill of the Buddha, the Dharma or the Sangha or encourage
others to do so. A follower of the Buddha is not permitted to disparage the
Triple Gem personally or to incite others to do so. He cannot set up the
prerequisites, conditions, procedures, or karma for defamation. A disciple
feels the pain of three hundred spears piercing his heart if he hears even one
word of slander against the Buddha from externalists or wicked beings. A
disciple commits a Parajika sin if he lacks confidence in and filial devotion
toward the Triple Jewel and even helps bad people or people with erroneous
beliefs to defame the Triple Jewel.
Mandala. Mahayana temples serve as a type of holy place. Another type of

sacred place is represented by mandalas, which are frequently intricate designs
utilized in meditation. Using different meditation techniques, practitioners can
enter the spaces they depict.
Stupa. The stupa is the first Buddhist temple structure. Stupas were simply
earthen and stone mounds used for significant rulers' burials far from the hamlet in
prehistoric times. At the time of Shakyamuni Buddha's passing, 250 years ago,
there was a shift in how stupas were viewed.
The Buddha asked for his remains to be housed in the well-known stupa, but
with a change in emphasis. The stupa was to be put at four corners to serve as a
reminder of the awakened condition of mind, rather than just serving as a place of
honor for the remains or relics of a cremated king. Hence, the stupa changed from
a dirt mound to a king's burial tomb to a sacred structure.
Lunar New Year. One of the most well-known Buddhist holy days is Lunar
New Year. On the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar, the majority
of Mahayana Buddhists observe it during January or February. It is the most
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significant holiday in Chinese societies and is frequently referred to as Chinese

New Year. Nonetheless, it is also observed by the Korean, Vietnamese, Laotian,
and other Asian cultures.
The customs of the holiday have their roots in astrology and ancient Chinese
religion. The Chinese zodiac, which is based on 12 animals significant to Chinese
culture, is one of the more well-known examples. Families hang red lanterns and
decorations and offer children red envelopes filled with cash. Paying respects to
home gods and ancestors as well as partaking in a feast are other significant
traditions. Traditional lion dances are performed in communities to bring luck.
Parinirvana.Nehan-e is another name for Parinirvanna. On February 15, the

Mahayana Buddhists commemorate the Buddha's passing on the day of
Parinirvana. The Buddha lived for 40 years as a teacher before passing away at the
age of 80. He had attained Nirvana, a state of tranquility and liberation from the
cycle of death, rebirth, and sorrow, at the time of his death while meditating. His
passing is celebrated by believers because, after attaining enlightenment, he was
liberated from the material world and its suffering. Meditation, pilgrimages to
temples or monasteries, and contemplation on mortality all fall under the category
of observances. For recently departed family members and friends, believers
provide meditations to help them adjust to their new lives.
Losar. The first day of the first month of the Tibetan Calendar marks Losar,
or the Tibetan New Year. Although it can start a day or month later, it frequently
starts on the same day as the Lunar New Year. When Buddhism arrived in Tibet,
Tibetans practiced the Bon religion, which is when Losar first appeared. In order to
appease the gods, worshippers held a ceremony each winter where they offered
incense and other offerings. The ritual became a harvest celebration once the area
converted to Buddhism. It then evolved into the New Year festival with the advent
of the lunar calendar.
Families begin preparing for the three-day celebration one month in advance
because it is one of the major festivals of the year. The eight auspicious symbols
are painted on the walls, the house is cleaned, and new garments are made.
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Tibetans visit temples on Losar, give sacrifices, hang prayer flags, participate in
rites and dances, and feast with loved ones. They host celebrations and
get-togethers for the following 15 days, which culminate in Chunga Choepa (the
Butter Lamp Festival) on the full moon.
Higan or Higan-e. Mahayana Buddhists celebrate Higan-e or Higan for a

whole week during the spring and fall equinoxes. To reach the other shore is to
"higan," which is short for "to-higan" (of Nirvana or Enlightenment). Giving,
precepts, perseverance, diligence, zazen (meditation), and wisdom are the six
lessons it imparts. By putting these into practice, devotees hope to transcend the
realm of illusion and enter Nirvana. Offering rice cakes and sweets to the family
altar is customary. In temples, believers offer sacrifices to the Buddha, while in
cemeteries, they show reverence to their ancestors.
Hana Matsuri. The Gregorian calendar was adopted by Japan in 1873. On

April 8, Buddhists in that nation observe Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival). Temples
include statues of an infant Buddha pointing one index finger to heaven and one to
earth in accordance with the followers' belief that upon his birth, Buddha remarked,
"Heaven, earth and I are all one person."
Jizo Bon. Jizo Bon, also known as the Festival of Jizo (Ksitigarbha)
Bodhisattva, is a holiday observed by Mahayana Buddhists in Japan and North
America in August. This day is dedicated to the god who guards children, animals,
travelers, and those who are in hell. One of the most beloved gods in Japan is Jizo.
His veneration as the protector of "water children," or the souls of stillborn,
miscarried, or aborted babies, dates back to the conclusion of World War II. The
souls of children who pass away before their parents are said to be unable to access
the afterlife. This is because they haven't yet shown kindness to others or expressed
sorrow for their parents. Jizo shields these kids from the demons by wrapping them
in the sleeves of his cloak.
Subdivisions
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Zen Buddhism. The essential element of Zen Buddhism is found in its

name, for it means ‘meditation’. Zen teaches that enlightenment is achieved
through the profound realization that one is already an enlightened being. Its
origins came from India, but it was formalized in China. Zen Buddhism is a school
of Mahayana Buddhism that is known for its focus on practice and direct
experience over scholarship or the study of doctrine, although this does play a role.
It originated in China and was strongly influenced by Taoism. It shares roots with
yoga; and like yoga, it emphasizes a meditative practice as a means of seeking the
truth.
Pure Land Buddhism. This subdivision offers a way to enlightenment for

people who can't handle the subtleties of meditation, endure long rituals, or just
live especially good lives. The essential practice in Pure Land Buddhism is the
chanting of the name of Amitabha Buddha with total concentration, trusting that
one will be reborn in the Pure Land, a place where it is much easier for a being to
work towards enlightenment. Pure Land Buddhism is particularly popular in China
and Japan, and is a school of Buddhist thinking that began in India around the
second century BCE. It spread to China by the end of the century CE, and then
spread to Japan around the sixth century CE.
Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is a form of the eastern religion of

Buddhism as developed and practiced in the Himalayan region of Tibet. It is
varied, interesting, and rich in traditions. It has many deep philosophies and
teachings. Most of these teachings come from highly enlightened monks of Tibetan
Buddhism. This subdivision created the Four Noble Truth and the Noble Eight Path
which are: The Right View, being the knowledge and acceptance of the Four Noble
Truths. Next, is The Right Thought, and it is the notion of having good-will,
renunciation, and non-violence. This is followed by The Right Speech, which
practices the refraining from false, or malicious, or idle, or rough speech.
Remaining Paths are: Right Action, the prevention from killing living beings,
stealing, and sexual misconduct; Right Livelihood, the avoidance from engaging in
livelihoods which harm oneself or others; Right Endeavour, consisting of people
who make efforts to improve their mind or action when an unwholesome thought
arises or action is done; Right Mindfulness, the contemplation of the nature of the
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body, mind, feelings, and other phenomena; and lastly, The Right Concentration,
which is a practice of concentrating the mind on meditative states, and on the
practice to end suffering.
SELECTED ISSUES
Mahayana Buddhism has no central authority or someone who controls them

thus there aren’t many restrictions on their parts on issues such as gender
inequality, abortion, homosexuality, or marriage. Those issues are seen as secular
and not related to their religion as Buddhism only entails the idea of achieving
Samsara. These issues are accordingly dealt with alongside the society’s standards
or perception.
Abortion. On things such as abortion, for example, in Japan where in

abortion is widespread, it is said that Mahayana Buddhism has developed a ritual
that guides the mind of the aborted fetus into a better rebirth and the healing of the
trauma that the parents may have experienced.
Gender Inequality. Patriarchal issues are at play. In Asian countries that

practice Mahayana Buddhism, women are secondary to men and have played no
significant role in the hierarchy of the religion or in its decision-making process. It
is tradition in the Buddhism religion that women aren’t allowed to fully participate
in the practices they do just simply because they are women. The reason behind
this is, according to the Buddhist tradition, women cannot be reborn or become a
Buddha because the female body is the one that gives life to the souls that will be
reborn. That is their connection to samsara or the cycle of life. A passage in a
popular 5th-century Buddhist text has explained and reasoned out the need for
women to transform their sex in order to ascend to the status of being a Buddha;
“As for a woman who is born inside the imperial palace, she necessarily belongs to
another person. Throughout her life, she is like a maidservant who must serve and
follow a great family, also like a disciple who must venerate and serve his master.
She is beaten by different kinds of swords and staves, rocks and tiles, and is defiled
by every evil word. These kind of sufferings deprive her of self-sovereignty. This is
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why a woman must give rise to the thought of abhorring and getting rid of her
female body.”
To become a buddha, a woman needs to be a man and it can be done by

dying and being reborn as a man. It is however said that an advanced Buddhist
“might miraculously change her form, in this life, at her own will.” This idea that
the next Buddha needs to be a man has changed through the years but still, Tibetan
Buddhist nuns don’t think or could not picture the idea of the next Dalai Lama, the
spiritual head of Buddhism, being reborn as a woman.
Suffering. Another issue is the idea of suffering which has been talked about
a lot when tackling Buddhism. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism have different
perceptions of the cycle of samsara. Whereas Theravada Buddhists strive to be
arhats, Mahayana Buddhists strive to be bodhisattvas. In Theravada Buddhism,
once a person is enlightened, they are free of the cycle of samsara and they will no
longer be reborn through samsara. Mahayana Buddhism believes they can achieve
enlightenment by using the teachings of the Buddha as a guide. The goal of a
Mahayana Buddhist is to become a Bodhisattva, a person that chooses to stay in
the cycle of samsara to help others achieve enlightenment. Even though they are
free to go to nirvana, they choose not to because they want to help people first and
save them from suffering.
Marriage and Family. Buddhism does not regard marriage as a religious

act, duty, or obligation. Instead, marriage is viewed as a civic or secular matter.
Therefore, wedding ceremonies are not considered religious events, and Buddhist
monks do not officiate during the service. Monks may, however, attend weddings,
and they often pronounce blessings and recite protective rites for the couple.
Depending upon cultural traditions, marriages are either arranged between two
families, as in many Eastern cultures, or decided upon and entered into between
two consenting adults, as in the West. While monogamy is the principle form of
marriage, Buddhism does not prohibit other forms, such as polygamy, polyandry,
and group marriages. In fact, although not common, marriages of each of these
types have existed within Asian cultures. Again, it is important to remember that
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the mode of marriage depends not upon a particular Buddhist ideal or teaching but
upon pre-existing and prevailing cultural attitudes.
Celibacy. A person who wants to become a monk or nun must go through a

specific process. In the initial ordination ceremony, the precepts are accepted. As a
condition for this acceptance of the precepts, one must first express one’s resolve to
leave one’s home which forms a root of attachment. Furthermore, one must be
more than 20 years of age, and it is absolutely required that one’s parents approve
one’s leaving home. Thus a monk or nun is, as a member of the sangha, a person
who has left his or her home’ and is either celibate from the outset or becomes
celibate upon entering monastic life. This is also a practical expression of one’s
faith in the three treasures
THERAVADA BUDDHISM
History
Theravada is reportedly the oldest form of Buddhism still in existence and

one of the major branches of Buddhism. Actually, compared to other Buddhist
civilizations, it is more similar to early Buddhism. The term, which translates to
"Teaching of Elders," comes from one of the first Buddhist schools, Sthaviriya.
The aim of the religion is to turn followers into arhats, or saints who have attained
nirvana and are thus free from rebirth.
Theravada Buddhism is more rigid, intellectual, and world-renouncing than

any other branch of Buddhism. It is also known as southern Buddhism or Hinayana
Buddhism and is practiced in a number of countries in SouthEast Asia, including
Laos, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Cambodia.
To leave samsara and enter nirvana is the Theravada's ultimate objective.

Achieving the rank of an arhat, a flawless saint who has broken free from the cycle
of samsara and will never experience another birth, allows one to do this. Although
the Theravada is commonly thought of as a strict monastic tradition, laypeople also
actively practice the faith by supporting the monks financially (which generates
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good karma, or merit), meditating, and adhering to the fundamental ethical

precepts of the Buddha's teachings.
Sacred Scriptures
Tripitaka.Traditional usage of the term "Tipitaka" (Three Baskets) to

describe Buddhist sacred texts. It is also frequently referred to as the "Pali canon"
in the Thervada tradition. The Tripitaka is divided into three collections:
philosophical teachings (Abhidhamma Pitaka), Buddha-related discourses (Sutta
Pitaka), and rules pertaining to monastic discipline (Vinaya Pitaka). There are
hundreds of texts in each collection. Also, almost all of them include commentary
writings that further clarify and enrich the contents. The Tripitaka is the most
revered and illustrious body of literature in Theravada Buddhism. The Tripitaka is
regarded as being "closed," or not open to additions, in the Theravadan tradition.
Sutta Pitaka. The Sutta Pitaka is a compendium of speeches, tales, and

illustrations that are mostly attributed to the Buddha and depict his teachings,
understanding of reality, and way to enlightenment.
Abhidhamma Pitaka. The collection of teachings known as the

Abhidhamma Pitaka, or "beyond the Dhamma," focuses on Buddhism's philosophy
and metaphysics. This collection of teachings came into being centuries after the
earlier ones.
Vinaya Pitaka. The Vinaya Pitaka is a compilation of regulations governing

monastic behavior. It largely consists of rules for monks' social and ethical conduct
as well as institutional rules for the Sangha.
Arhat. A "good one" or "perfected one" is an arhat. According to Theravada

Buddhism, an Arhat is a person who has attained enlightenment and put an end to
their suffering by adhering to the path outlined by the Buddha. Theravada
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Buddhists hold that an arhat has attained nirvana by "blowing out" the Three
Poisons of greed, hate, and ignorance.
Samsara. Saṃsara is a broad concept that refers to the beginningless and

endless cycle of rebirth that beings undergo until they attain enlightenment.
Individuals are thought to transmigrate from one existence to the next depending
on their karma. Ignorance, which refers to ignorance of reality as represented in the
insights of the Four Noble Truths, is said to be the root cause of rebirth. Ignorance
is co-existent with the three roots of unwholesomeness known as greed, hatred and
delusion. In Buddhist thought, being reborn as a human is a special birth as one has
the ability to break the cycle of rebirth.
Nirvana. Theravada Buddhists believe that by committing to giving up life's

diversions, one might liberate themselves from the excruciating effects of desire
and reach the peace of Nirvana. The Buddha advises that one should discipline
their body and mind in order to do this.
This is due to the fact that developing self-control can help someone surpass
their own limitations and experience the unending joy and contentment that
characterize Nirvana. One should use moderation in all they do in order to stop
various forms of desire and the agony they cause. According to the Buddha, those
who are moderate and do not indulge in excess are closer to Nirvana because they
have a true understanding of the nature of the world since they are not over
connected to it.
Four Noble Truths. The Buddha's teachings are summarized in the Four
Noble Truths. The four principles were what the Buddha realized while meditating
beneath the bodhi tree.
5. The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
6. The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya)
7. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)
8. The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)
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Dukkha. The truth of suffering. There are numerous ways to suffer. The first
three things the Buddha observed on his first trip outside of his palace were old
age, illness, and death, which correspond to three prominently displayed types of
suffering. The Buddha, however, believed that the issue of suffering was
considerably more complicated. The reality of life is that it frequently falls short of
our expectations. Humans are prone to wants and needs, yet even when we are able
to satiate them, the pleasure is just fleeting. Desire either fades away quickly or, if
it does, becomes boring. Even when we are not experiencing external problems
like disease or loss, we lack fulfillment and satisfaction.
Samudaya. The truth of the origin of suffering. Our everyday problems may
appear to have clear-cut root causes, such as thirst, pain from an accident, or
sorrow over the loss of a loved one. But, the Buddha asserted in the second of his
Noble Truths that he had discovered the origin of all suffering, and that it lay much
deeper than our present concerns.
Nirodha. The truth of the cessation of suffering. The Buddha said that
releasing oneself from attachment is the only way to put an end to desire, which
results in suffering. The potential for emancipation is the third Noble Truth. This is
feasible within a human lifetime, as the Buddha served as a living example. An
enlightened person is freed from the cycle of rebirth after death, but Buddhism
offers no firm explanations for what comes beyond. The Buddha advised his
followers not to ponder nirvana in great detail. He wanted them to focus on what
needed to be done in order to break the cycle of pain. It is like arguing with the
doctor who is trying to save your life when you have questions.
Magga. The Buddha's prescription for the cessation of suffering is the last
Noble Truth. The Eightfold Way is a collection of ethical precepts. The Eightfold
Path is also known as the Middle Way because it stays away from extreme
asceticism and indulgence, neither of which the Buddha found to be beneficial in
his quest for enlightenment.
Eightfold Path. The fourth part (Magga) of the Four Noble Truths is the
Noble Eightfold Path, also known as the Middle Way or the Threefold Way. It
offers Buddhists a way to put an end to suffering. But rather than being stages,
these eight guiding principles offer a path that can help put an end to suffering and
lead to enlightenment.
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Right Understanding - Sammā ditthi. Accepting Buddhist teachings. The

Buddha never intended his followers to believe his teachings blindly, but to
practice them and judge for themselves whether they were true.
Right Intention - Sammā san̄kappa. A commitment to cultivate the right
attitudes.
Right Speech - Sammā vācā. Speaking truthfully, avoiding slander, gossip
and abusive speech.
Right Action - Sammā kammanta. Behaving peacefully and harmoniously;
refraining from stealing, killing and overindulgence in sensual pleasure.
Right Livelihood - Sammā ājīva. Avoiding making a living in ways that
cause harm, such as exploiting people or killing animals, or trading in intoxicants
or weapons.
Right Effort - Sammā vāyāma. Cultivating positive states of mind; freeing
oneself from evil and unwholesome states and preventing them arising in future.
Right Mindfulness - Sammā sati. Developing awareness of the body,
sensations, feelings and states of mind.
Right Concentration - Sammā samādhi. Developing the mental focus
necessary for this awareness.
Dependent Origination. The twelve-fold chain of cause and effect that

supports everyday existence is explained in great detail by the idea of dependent
origination. That is said to have been the key realization that signaled the Buddha's
enlightenment. According to the belief, nothing comes into existence only via its
own power or volition, or that of a creator (like a God or a soul), but rather that all
occurrences depend on some other cause or circumstance. To better help beings
comprehend how both physical things and mental/emotional experiences arise and
end, dependent origination is frequently taught.
Magha Puja. Southeast Asian Theravada Buddhists celebrate Magha Puja

on the full moon of the third lunar month (February or March). It commemorates
the occasion when 1,250 of the Buddha's followers congregated nearby to offer
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their respects. These direct spiritual descendants of Buddha heard his explanation
of Buddhist tenets during the conference.
Other names for the holy day include Sangha Day, and Fourfold Assembly
Day. The term "fourfold" alludes to the grouping of the disciples' four facets.
1. Each of the 1,250 people was an Arhat, or enlightened saint.
2. All of them were appointed by the Buddha himself.
3. Without being called, the saints gathered on their own.
4. That was the day of the Magha full moon.
Theravada New Year. In general, in mid-April, Theravada Buddhists

observe the New Year for three days or longer. Many nations and the diaspora use
different dates and lengths. The festival's first day falls on the last day of the
previous year. They tidy up their houses and Buddha statues, making offerings for
the new year's angel, who is said to come down from heaven to guard the planet.
The second day lies in between the first and second of the year but is not a
part of either. Individuals are urged to unwind, spend time with family and friends,
go on vacation, and sprinkle each other with water blessings. They go to a lumvong
or rumvong dancing party in the evening. They feast while dressed in their finest
traditional garb.
The most joyful day of the year begins on day three. People give offerings at
the wat (temple). With gifts and water scented with flowers, they pay visits to their
parents and elders and beg their forgiveness for the previous year. In order to bring
success and prosperity for the New Year, families bind blessing strings around one
another's wrists.
Vesak. Theravada Buddhism, the dominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia,

Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, considers Vesak to be its holiest day. The
occasion, also known as Wesak or Visakah Puja (Buddha Day), celebrates the
Buddha's conception, enlightenment, and demise. In the month of Vaisakha, Vesak
occurs on the day of the full moon (usually May or June).
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On Vesak, devotees visit the temple in the early morning hours. The
Buddhist flag is raised, Buddha statues are bathed, and hymns are chanted as part
of special rites led by monks. According to Buddha, respecting him entails actually
adhering to his precepts. So, on this day, believers hope to cultivate love, peace,
and good deeds.
Asalha Puja (Dharma Day). Dharma Day, also known as Asalha Puja, is a
significant holy day for Theravada Buddhists. On this day, the Buddha gave his
first discourse after achieving nirvana.
Buddhism was founded on Asalha Puja because that day saw the
fundamental teachings of the religion begin to spread. It occurs on the eighth lunar
month's (Asalha) full moon, which often occurs in July. Believers meditate, offer
offerings at temples, and engage in dhamma, or moral behavior. On this day,
monks also start a three-month retreat known as Vassa.
Unduvap Poya (Sanghamitta Day). This significant holiday is observed by

Theravada Buddhists on the day of the full moon in December. On this day, King
Ashoka of India's daughter Sanghamitta Maha Theri arrived in Sri Lanka to teach
Buddhism. The day also recognizes religious women. On this day, worshippers go
to temples to make food and gift offerings to the nuns and monks.
The Dhamma (Buddhist teachings) were brought by Sanghamitta, who also

founded the Bhikkhuni Order in the nation. She also brought a piece of the Bo tree,
the tree of the Buddha. It is thought to be the oldest authenticated tree in the world
today and was planted at Anuradhapura in 245 BC.
Subdivisions
Maha Vihara. The Maha Vihara, also known as the "Big Monastery" in
Pali, was a significant Theravada Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka. In his home
city of Anuradhapura, King Devanampiya Tissa (247–207 BCE), it was
established. The Maha Vihara was where monks like Buddhaghosa developed the
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Maha Vihara doctrine. Mahaviharavasins were the name given to the monks who
resided at the Mahavihara. Mahavihara means "great monastery" in Sanskrit. The
Abhayagiri Vihara and the Jetavana Vihara were founded by monks who broke
away from the Maha Vihara tradition, whereas Maha Vihara was the first tradition
to be created. After sectarian battles with the Theravada Monks of the Abhayagiri
Vihara in the fourth century, the Maha Vihara was completely destroyed. King
Mahasena was driven to destroy the Maha Vihara by these Mahayana Monks. This
led to the Mahayana Monks being banished from Sri Lanka by a later king.
Abhayagiriya Viraha. A renowned monastic complex with a Vihara and a

powerful stupa on the northern edge of Anuradhapura. Now, only the stupa
remains. On the site of the historic Tittharama, King Vattagmani Abhaya
constructed it 217 years, 10 months, and 10 days after the Maha Vihara was
established. According to tradition, the Nigantha Giri, who lived in Titthrma at the
time, made derogatory words about the monarch while he was fleeing from the
Tamils. The monarch promised to erect a vihara there if he were restored to the
throne; he did so, and the vihara's name was a blend of his own name and the
Nigantha's. The Monastery was given in charge of the Mahātissa of Kuppikala and
of two other Monks, Kuppikala having befriended the king in his misfortunes.
Jetavana Vihara. A park close to the city of Sravasti where monastic

structures were built after Anathapindika allegedly purchased it from Prince Jeta;
Sakyamuni's preferred vacation spot. It was one of India's most well-known
Buddhist monasteries. After the Veluvana in Rajagaha, it was the second
monastery donated to Gautama Buddha. Savatthi's historic center is not far from
Jetavana. In Sri Lanka, there was also a significant Jetavana Monastery.
Selected Issues
Gender Inequality. In establishing an order of nuns in the first place, the

Buddha was a revolutionary. Up until then, most women in India were entirely
dependent on the male members of their families and could not make any decisions
without their authorisation. By allowing women to ‘go forth’ either as novice nun
or a fully-professed bhikkhuni when they reached the age of twenty, the Buddha
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was establishing something unprecedented: women living in communities

dedicated to the spiritual teaching (Dhamma) and discipline (Vinaya) that he had
laid down. Women who lived independently from their families as homeless alms
mendicants, relying only on the offerings of lay people, were extremely rare at the
time – and an established order was unheard of.(Sundara, 2019)
War and Violence. These are only a few examples demonstrating that
Buddhism has a long historical and doctrinal connection to violence, despite the
non-violent teachings of its founder. In Buddhism’s case, both praxis and such
doctrines as karma, rebirth, skillful means, compassion, selflessness, and samādhi
power, each a core Buddhist teaching, have long been used as “violence-enabling
mechanisms” to justify violence and warfare.
One would like to think that Buddhists, who believe they are able through
their practice to gain insight into “things as they are,” would be willing, once they
understood the nature of the problem, to dedicate themselves to the difficult task of
cleansing Buddhism of these deeply entrenched violence-enabling mechanisms.
However, until, and unless, Buddhists individually and collectively say “No more!”
Buddhism will, like all of the world’s other major religions, continue to hold
instincts for war, a religion of both peace and violence. (Victoria, 2022)
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Uniqueness of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada

Buddhism
Uniqueness Hinduism Mahayana Theravada

Buddhism Buddhism
Hinduism is a
Belief of God Buddhism is a philosophy and
religion that
moral discipline that has its roots
worships a variety
in India's 6th and 5th centuries
of gods. This is why
BCE. It is a non-theistic religion (it
Hinduism is
does not believe in a creator god).
classified as a
Siddhartha Gautama, also known
polytheistic religion
as the Buddha, is credited with
as there are tons of
founding it. He is said to have
gods that they
been a Hindu prince before
worship. Although
renouncing his position and wealth
some scholars argue
to become a spiritual ascetic and,
that Hinduism is a
ultimately, an enlightened being
henotheistic
who taught others how to break
religion as they
free from samsara, the cycle of
worship the
suffering, rebirth, and death.
supreme creator
also called Since there is no God in Buddhism
Brahman. The earth who is a Creator, Judge, or
is ruled by three Deity-in-Charge, the claim of
Gods, according to non-theism is correct. Buddhist
Hinduism. Shiva is cosmology maintains that the
the destroyer, universe has always just existed
Vishnu is the and that it is constantly evolving
preserver, and and devolving in response to
Brahma is the causes and circumstances. The
creator. The three mechanism does not have a First
Gods that rule the Cause or Prime Mover. Also,
world have consorts according to the karma laws,
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and they are human beings' fate is governed by

goddesses too. The their own deeds. No Divine
goddess of wisdom Intercessor creates a permanent
Sarasvati is the record card for each person that
consort of Brahma. follows them throughout all of
Lakshmi, the their lifetimes.
goddess of wealth
and prosperity, is
Vishnu's consort.
Shiva's consort is
Parvati who is also
known as Kali or
Durga.
Goal In Hinduism, the To gain The Noble

term "purushartha" Buddhahood, a Eightfold Path
refers to the four Buddhist must
1. Right action
supreme purposes achieve both
(behaving in a
of human existence. perfect
skilful way and
Purushartha, which compassion and
not harming
can be interpreted perfect
others)
as "the object of understanding.
human pursuit" or The Six 2. Right speech
"the purpose of Perfections offer (speaking
human beings," is a a clear method truthfully)
phrase that comes of practicing
3. Right
from two Sanskrit these
livelihood
roots: purusha, perfections. The
(earning a
which means Six Perfections
living in a way
"human being," and are:
that doesn’t
artha, which means
1. generosity cause suffering
"purpose" or
2. morality or harm to
"objective."
3. patience others)
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4. energy
The four 4. Right
5. meditation
purushartha are mindfulness
6. wisdom
artha (prosperity (being aware of
and economic yourself and the
values), kama emotions of
(sensual pleasures), others)
dharma
5. Right effort
(righteousness and
(putting effort
morals), and
into meditation
moksha (liberation).
and positive
They are arranged
emotions)
in order of
importance from 6. Right
lowest to greatest concentration
(liberation from the (developing
cycle of focus so that
reincarnation). you are able to
meditate)
All four of these
objectives are 7. Right
regarded as being view/understan
significant, but ding
according to Hindu (remembering
philosophy, dharma that actions
takes precedence have
over artha and consequences)
kama, and moksha
8. Right
is seen as the
intention (being
overarching
clear about
purpose of all
following the
human life.
Buddhist path)
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Spiritual Leader The goal of a In Tibetan A male

swami, also known Buddhism, a Buddhist monk
as a spiritual lama, or "higher with monastic
teacher, guru, or one," is a ordination is
master, is to master spiritual known as a
oneself via figurehead. bhikkhu.
renunciation, which Originally used Buddhists
entails putting aside to translate include both
one's temporal and "guru", the male and
secular goals in phrase is now female
order to pursue a politely used to monastics
life of spiritual refer to any known as "nun"
fulfillment. Swami revered monk or or "bhikkhuni"
means "one who priest. Guru is a in Sanskrit.
knows" in Sanskrit. Sanskrit word Their way of
Highly esteemed that once solely life is molded
spiritual instructors applied to heads to complement
in yoga may be of monasteries their spiritual
given the title of or outstanding practice, which
swami by devotees teachers. entails leading
or other members of a modest,
the community. contemplative
life in order to
reach nirvana.
The name
Origin of Name The Sanskrit term Theravada
"Mahayana"
sindhu, which literally
means "Big
means river, is translates as the
Vehicle" and is
where the word “Doctrine of
derived from the
"Hindu" comes Elders”.
Sanskrit terms
from. The Sanskrit Hinayana
"Maha" and
word sindhu gave Buddhism is a
"Yana," which
rise to the name of common name
respectively
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the Indus River, indicate great or for Theravada

which flows large and Buddhism. This
through northwest vehicle. name has a
India and into number of
Pakistan. By drawbacks.
mispronouncing the Since the word
Sanskrit word "Hinayana"
sindhu, the Persians literally means
labeled the region "the lower or
near the Indus River the inferior
as Hindu. (hina) vehicle,"
it has a negative
connotation
(yana).
Sacred Scriptures Hinduism is based In Buddhism, a Traditional

on the sacred sutra ,Sanskrit usage of the
writings known as word for term "Tipitaka"
the Vedas. In the "thread", is a (Three Baskets)
sense that they are written work that to describe
believed to contain is thought to Buddhist sacred
the fundamental accurately texts. It is also
knowledge relating preserve key frequently
to the underlying teachings of the referred to as
source of, function respective faiths the "Pali canon"
of, and individual and lead a in the Thervada
response to follower on the tradition. The
existence, the name path from Tripitaka is
"veda" means ignorance and divided into
"knowledge." entrapment in three
the endless cycle collections:
They are regarded
of rebirth and philosophical
as one of the
death toward teachings
world's oldest, if
spiritual (Abhidhamma
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not the oldest, liberation. Thus, Pitaka),

religious works. a sutra is Buddha-related
Since they might be considered to be discourses
characterized as a fundamental (Sutta Pitaka),
holy writings part of the text and rules
describing the of each of these pertaining to
nature of the various faiths. monastic
Divine, they are The writings are discipline
frequently referred referred to as (Vinaya
to as "scripture," sutras because, Pitaka). There
which is true. like a thread, are hundreds of
they connect an texts in each
earlier oral collection.
tradition in Also, almost all
written form. of them include
Since the commentary
compositions writings that
were written on further clarify
leaves or and enrich the
compressed contents. The
bamboo slats Tripitaka is the
that were most revered
subsequently and illustrious
bound together body of
with thread, the literature in
term was almost Theravada
certainly also Buddhism. The
originally Tripitaka is
descriptive. regarded as
being "closed,"
or not open to
additions, in the
Theravadan
tradition.
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Table 1. Uniqueness of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism
Similarities of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada

Buddhism
Similarities Hinduism Mahayana Theravada

Buddhism Buddhism
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Dharma Wheel Hinduism most One of the earliest representations of

frequently refers Buddhism is the dharma wheel, or
to the Dharma dharmachakra in Sanskrit. A chariot
Wheel as the wheel with various numbers of
Wheel of Law spokes is a typical example of a
when referring to dharma wheel. Although it can be
the any hue, gold is the most popular
Dharmachakra. choice. Three shapes, such as a
Devout Hindu yin-yang symbol, a second wheel, or
adherents are an empty circle, may be whirling
required to together in the center. The hub, rim,
observe this and spokes are the three basic
emblem of components of a dharma wheel.
discipline and Many teachers and traditions have
religious put forth differing interpretations of
regularity. what these sections imply over the
Dharma, which years. A buck and a doe are
means "law," is sometimes positioned on either side
derived from the of the dharma wheel, which is
Sanskrit verb dhr, sometimes shown as a tableau on a
which also means pedestal made of lotus flowers. This
"to retain and reminds us of the first sermon the
sustain" and historical Buddha delivered
"what is fixed or following his enlightenment. A deer
firm." In many park in what is now Uttar Pradesh,
representations of India, called Sarnath is where the
Vishnu, the god sermon is claimed to have been
of preservation, delivered to five mendicants.
the Dharma
Wheel can be
seen. Vishnu, one
of the Hindu
Triumvirate, is
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Buddhism
the deity in
Buddhist myth holds that a herd of
charge of
ruru deer lived in the park and
guarding people
crowded around to hear the sermon.
and establishing
The dharma wheel's portrayal of a
and upholding
deer serves as a reminder that the
order in the
Buddha emphasized saving all
universe. He is
beings, not just humans. According
frequently seen
to certain versions of this tale, the
with a discus or
deer are buddha heavenly beings.
wheel, which is
said to be a
particularly
potent weapon
that can subdue
passions and
cravings.
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Reincarnation Hinduism The physical and mental components

believes that after of a being are interrelated, according
the death of the to Buddhist doctrine, and all mental
physical body, processes are influenced by the
the soul (atman), objects that are detected by the six
an enduring sense organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue,
conscious being body, and mind). The Pali word for
that exists rebirth, "Punabbhava," literally
independently of translates as "to re-become," but the
the physical term "rebirth" is more commonly
body, will pass used in Buddhist works. Rebirth
on. It will merely entails a continuously
continue to changing stream of awareness
transition influencing a new stream of
between lives in consciousness in the following birth,
various planes of as opposed to reincarnation, where an
existence, enduring entity, the "soul,"
including those transmigrates from one body to
of celestial another after death.
beings, people,
and animals. The
location of a
specific soul's
rebirth is
determined by
the good and evil
deeds (karma)
that it had
accrued over past
lives. Until the
soul eventually
achieves
Moksha—the
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Buddhism
connection with
the divine
Brahma, the
Creator—through
enlightenment
obtained by
conquering
ignorance and
desire, this cycle
of rebirth will
continue.
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Karma Works carried out Karma has consequences for

over the course Buddhists that go beyond this world.
of a life are A person's past lives might have
referred to as negative repercussions that carry
karma. The over into their present life, which
atman is liberated Westerners are more inclined to
from samsara and perceive as "bad luck."
achieves nirvana
once it has
amassed enough Even an Enlightened One might
good karma. The experience the consequences of their
idea of doing past karma. According to one legend,
good deeds is not the Buddha's cousin attempted to
the same as murder him by throwing a boulder on
karma in other him. The Buddha's foot was hurt, but
religions like the endeavor failed. He clarified that
Christianity. this was karmic payback for
Instead, events attempting to murder his step-brother
that lead to in a former life.
enlightenment in
the atman are
what create Karma also impacts where a person
karma. Each will be born again and their position
atman strives to in the afterlife on a greater scale.
reach a state of Being born in one of the heavenly
non-attachment, kingdoms is possible if one has done
which is defined good karma.The effects of bad karma
as a state in can include hell world agony or
which the being reincarnation as an animal.
is not controlled
by wants for
things, people, or
experiences. The
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Buddhism
atman will have

Buddhists strive to develop good
evolved to the
karma and avert negative karma. The
point where it has
goal of Buddhism, however, is to
attained
completely escape the cycle of
non-attachment
reincarnation, not just to accrue good
and
karma and so be born into a more
enlightenment
happy condition. These realms, while
once it has
better than human life, are transient;
worked through
even gods pass away.
enough positive
karma. Karma is
not a form of
retribution that
one should inflict
on themselves or
other people. The
notion that
someone could
have ill luck as a
result of bad
action is mostly a
Western belief.
Instead, karma is
a sequence of
actions that will
likely control the
atman's
subsequent
rebirths.
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Buddhism
Mudra There are usually It is a hand position frequently

many diverse, utilized in Buddhist practice to evoke
intricate, and a certain mental state. Hands folded
frequently in the lap, which represents
esoteric mudras meditation, a palm raised and facing
utilized in outward, which represents the act of
ceremonies and teaching or assuring, or an open palm
dance. Mudras pointing downward, which represents
are rather generosity, are common mudras or
uncommon in images of Buddha. Images are
sculpting and symbolic representations of divinity
other visual arts in Indian sculpture, and religious and
because they spiritual beliefs reflect the deity's
must be beginning and finish.
immovable.
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Buddhism
Practices Hinduism There are several The Buddhist

includes a wide rituals, rites, and tradition has a
range of rituals, ceremonies in the variety of rituals,
rites, and Buddhist rites, and
ceremonies. tradition that ceremonies that
However there vary. Yet, differ from nation
are a few Mahayana to nation and, in
practices that Buddhists can be some
Hindus found practicing circumstances,
everywhere in the a few common even within a
globe. rituals all across single nation.
the world. Yet, Theravada
1. Devotion
Buddhists can be
2. Worship 1. Veneration
found all over the
3. Fire 2. Bowing
world engaging
Sacrifice 3. Chanting
in a few common
4. Mantra 4. Protective
practices.
5. Grace Rites
6. Service 5. Life Cycle 7. Veneration
7. Astrology Rites 8. Bowing
8. Samsara 6. Pilgrimage 9. Chanting
9. Pilgrimage 10.Protective
10.Yoga Rites
11.Pilgrimage
Table 2. Similarities of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism
Provide Evidence that Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada

Buddhism share common roots from India
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Evidences Hinduism Mahayana Theravada

Buddhism Buddhism
Place of Origin India is the place Today, Mahayana Theravada

of origin of Buddhism is Buddhism began
Hinduism. More practiced in the 4th century
specifically, it was throughout the B.C.E. in the
the Northern part world, but it Buddhist
of India where originated in India communities of
Hinduism and was mostly India and became
originated. The practiced in Asia, prominent in Sri
Hindu culture where it spread Lanka and
flourished on the quickly and southeast Asia
banks of the river syncretized with including
Sindhu. That is other religions. Myanmar,
why Hindus got Thailand,
their name from. Cambodia, and
Laos.
Reason of Hinduism The development Theravada schools

Establishment developed over of Buddhism and claim to adhere
many centuries its literature is most accurately to
from a variety of much more the original
sources: cultural complicated than practices and
practices, sacred we have realized. doctrines taught
texts, and In the middle of by Buddha. The
philosophical the 20th century, Theravada claims
movements, as scholars thought to trace their
well as local Mahayana lineage back to the
popular beliefs. Buddhism was the original
The combination developed by lay followers of the
of these factors is people who Buddha, to those
what accounts for wanted to make a who literally heard
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the varied and Buddhism for his sermons. The

diverse nature of everybody. It was Theravada is
Hindu practices compared to the typically
and beliefs. Protestant understood to be a
Hinduism movement in rigorous monastic
developed from Christianity. But tradition; however,
several sources. we now know that laypeople actively
The indigenous this picture is not participate in the
beliefs of the true. religion by
pre-Vedic peoples providing material
of the support to the
subcontinent of The evidence monks (which
India shows that produces positive
encompassed a Mahayana karma, or merit),
variety of local Buddhism was meditating, and
practices based on spearheaded by following the
agrarian fertility the renunciants, basic ethical
cults and local the Buddhist principles of the
nature spirits. monks and nuns. Buddha's
Vedic writings These were the teachings.
refer to the hardcore
worship of practitioners of the
images, tutelary religion, and they
divinities, and the were responsible
phallus. for writing the
Mahayana
scriptures and
promoting these
new ideas. The lay
people were not
the initiators.
(Shashkevich
2018)
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Founder There is no Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of

historical founder Buddhism, was a well-off family man
of Hinduism. who was born in the year 563 BCE.
Instead, a vast Gautama abandoned his luxurious
collection of holy lifestyle in favor of asceticism, or strict
books that contain self-control. Gautama became the
guidelines for Buddha, or "enlightened one," after 49
Hindu ceremonies, days of nonstop meditation. About 528
worship, BCE, when he made this public
pilgrimages, and revelation, he attracted a number of
daily activities followers who went on to become
serve as its Buddhist monks and spread his
foundation. The teachings throughout northern India.
first surviving
Hindu statues and
temples were built
about two
thousand years
after the earliest of
these books,
which may be four
thousand years
old.
Other evidences of More strikingly Buddhism remained mostly in India for

nature than any other three centuries until King Ashoka, who
major religious ruled India from 274-232 B.C.,
community, converted to Buddhism. Ashoka sent
Hindus missionaries throughout the world, and
accept—and Buddhism spread to all of Asia.
indeed
Even before its expansion, two distinct
celebrate—the
branches developed, a conservative and
organic,
a liberal school of thought. The
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multileveled, and conservative school is labeled

sometimes Theravada, and it became the dominant
pluralistic nature form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia.
of their traditions. Thus, it is also called Southern
This Buddhism. Southern Buddhism has
expansiveness is remained closer to the original form of
made possible by Buddhism. This school follows the Pali
the widely shared Canon of scripture, which, although
Hindu view that written centuries after Gautama’s death,
truth or reality contains the most accurate recording of
cannot be his teachings.
encapsulated in
The liberal school is Mahayana
any creedal
Buddhism, which traveled to the north
formulation, a
into China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet,
perspective
and is also called Northern Buddhism.
expressed in the
As it spread north, it adopted and
Hindu prayer
incorporated beliefs and practices from
“May good
the local religions of the land. The two
thoughts come to
branches of Buddhism are so different
us from all sides.”
they appear to be two different
Thus, Hinduism
religions rather than two branches of
maintains that
the same tree. Here are a few
truth must be
differences.
sought in multiple
sources, not Theravada Buddhism sees Buddha as a
dogmatically man. Gautama never claimed to be
proclaimed. deity, but rather a “way shower.”
Mahayana Buddhism, however,
worships Buddha as a manifestation of
the divine Buddha essence. Since
Gautama, many other manifestations or
bodhisattvas have appeared. An
example is Tibetan Buddhism, which
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worships the spiritual leader the Dalai

Lama as a bodhisattva.
Other evidences of Meditation: The different Buddhist

rituals and traditions have their forms of
ancestors meditative practices, but meditation is a
central component of Buddhism.
Lemon and Contrary to popular belief, meditation
chillies to repel does not inherently mean one has to
bad energy wait for the mind to be entirely clear.
Instead, Buddhists and non-Buddhists
In ancient times
alike accept numerous forms of
(and even today),
meditation. Some common forms of
no one would
Buddhist meditation include
want bad energies
concentration (mindfulness),
lingering around
visualization, and guided meditation.
their homes. So,
people would use Offerings: Whether physical or
one lemon and imagined, offerings can be a critical
seven green part of Buddhist practice, including as
chillies, tie them an element of visualization meditation.
together and hang The idea of giving an offering is not to
them outside their worship the Buddha in the way Western
home, preferably religions worship gods; instead, it is a
near the main way of practicing giving and
door. overcoming greed.
Blessings and prayers: In Buddhism,

these are perhaps better referred to as
''intentions.'' It is not uncommon for a
Wearing silver Buddhist practicing a loving-kindness
rings in the feet as meditation to offer love and happiness
married women to those that they do not particularly
care for (either strangers or people who
are actively disliked by the
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practitioner), to aid in releasing

Silver rings worn
attachments (negative feelings), and to
in toes of married
practice a giving mindset. These
women, are
intentions may be from the
considered a sign
practitioner's mind or provided by a
of prosperity and
guided meditation.
it is said, that they
ensure love among
the married
couple.
While the reasons

might sound
bizarre, but the
real scientific truth
behind this
practice suggests
that wearing silver
jewellery in toes,
boosts fertility and
also helps the
women to reduce
period pain to a
great extent.
As per Ayurvedic
practices, the
nerve on the
second toe of the
feet is connected
directly to the
woman’s uterus,
hence a pressure
because of the
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ring, regulates the

menstrual cycle.
Table 3. Roots of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism
Justify that Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism

have largely influenced the world today
Influence
Hinduism Mahayana Theravada
Buddhism Buddhism
Number of Today, with about Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion

followers 900 million in the world, with over 520 million
followers, followers still to this day.
Hinduism is the
third-largest
religion behind
Christianity and
Islam. Roughly 95
percent of the
world’s Hindus
live in India.
Influences on Hinduism has Buddhist beliefs might have focused on

society’s ideology tremendously individual enlightenment, but they had
or impact on impacted society important social consequences.
society and greatly Buddhism challenged the structure of
influenced India's Indian society, where Brahmins had
social structure. A authority and status. It also challenged
profound example the caste system more broadly, because
of Hinduism's enlightenment was not limited to those
effect on society is of upper castes. Buddhism also
the caste system, a welcomed women into monastic life,
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means of providing roles outside of the home.

categorizing These differences made Buddhism
people into social appeal to many in the lower castes of
classes from birth. Indian society.
The caste system The road to enlightenment was
has existed for difficult, and—probably like
over 3,000 years you—most people were unable or
and was codified unwilling to abandon their families and
into Hindu law in possessions for a life of spiritual
the Manusmriti, a devotion. Most people who chose lives
scholarly book of as monks or nuns did so because they
Hindu laws dating could afford it. Laborers and servants,
back to at least for example, could not simply abandon
1000 BCE, a their livelihoods and retreat into
millennia before spiritual contemplation.
the birth of Jesus But Buddhism was flexible. As it
Christ. spread, new versions emerged to meet
the different needs of converts. For
example, Mahayana Buddhism, which
means "the great vehicle," allowed
people to strive toward enlightenment
even if they couldn't become monks.
Mahayana Buddhism grew into the
most widespread form of Buddhism in
the world. Buddhism's rejection of the
caste system and the flexibility of its
"middle path" is what helped it spread
across Asia.
Cultural On Fashion: On Fashion:

Influences Among women, Many of the designers who have
(arts, literature, wearing a head counted Buddhism as an influence are
and traditions) covering outside inspired by trips to Tibet, by the history
the home is a of Buddhism, or have found their own
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common practice inner peace.

among Muslims , The Buddha is a highly respected
Sikhs and Hindus . symbol that is sacred. “The Buddha is
The practice of more of a respected subject that
covering the head provides lessons to the people, rather
outside the home than a deified creator and savior to be
is less widespread worshiped,” said Lee. “Buddhism
among Buddhist involves the definition of teaching
and Christian method by the Shakyamuni Buddha,
women. Nearly and the teaching methods of becoming
two-thirds of Buddha. This means that anyone can
Muslim women in become a Buddha.”
India say they
wear a burqa. A In fashion, the Buddha is presented in a
burqa is a block print, as an icon, and as a way to
covering for the practice mindfulness, like in Yumi
whole body, Sakugawa's recent book, Fashion
including the face Forecasts, and Buddha tattoos are a
and head, but symbol of someone’s faith, and perhaps
interviewers did their own journey to a better self, or
not define the term enlightenment.
for the
respondents,
leaving the exact
definition up to
their own
understanding.
Political Impact A basic tenet of Buddhism has both influenced

Hindu political governments and been identified by
thought was the governments as a source of their
belief that the king authority and legitimacy. Buddhist
must regard monarchs have ruled Buddhist-majority
himself not as the realms across Southeast and East Asia
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creator of the law at various times over the past two

but only as its thousand years, and even today many
guardian. The nations in Asia understand their
Narada-Smrti is an governments to have a duty to rule in a
exception. In this way that is consistent with Buddhist
work the royal values. In many other Asian nations,
decree is regarded Buddhism is an important ethical and
as legitimate in its religious tradition, even if it is not
own right. Perhaps explicitly incorporated into the political
the most system. Despite this long history of a
authoritarian of connection between Buddhism and
Indian writers, politics, Western scholarship in the
Narada demands 20th century went through two
that the king be phases—an early phase, strongly
obeyed whether influenced by Max Weber, which saw
right or wrong in Buddhism as being either apolitical or
his actions. even antipolitical and focused solely on
However, from releasing practitioners from the cycle of
about the third birth, death, and rebirth (samsara); and
century B.C. there a later phase, in which Western
seems to have scholars began to study the political
developed a writings and history of Buddhism more
growing carefully, revealing both the normative
appreciation of the political ideas in the Buddhist tradition
need to relate law and the complex practice of politics by
and tradition to Buddhists and in the name of
changing social Buddhism. Thus, the earlier
conditions. This controversy over whether Buddhism
awareness can be contains any political ideas at all has
seen in the been replaced by more nuanced debates
Dharma Sastra about how to interpret the primary texts
work attributed to that do overtly discuss things like kings
Yajnavalkya. In and laws, about whether those texts
that work and in reflect a normative preference for
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the codes of other monarchy or republicanism, and about

legal authorities it the future direction of Buddhist
is argued that the political thinking.
edict must
harmonize with
customary and
sacred law and
that departures
from the original
rajadharma must
be carefully
controlled.
Economic Impact The level of A large part of Buddhist economic

meticulousness in engagement involves an economy of
the planning of merit. Buddhists have been dependent
Hindu economy is on dāna, a system of donation and
amazing, and sponsorship, that has aided the building
beats present and expansion of Buddhism since the
world time of the Buddha. This merit-based
“strategists”. That economy involves a system of
the system has exchange in which virtuous actions
survived for such as generosity are rewarded with
thousands of years an accumulation of merit (puñña),
and will still exist leading to beneficial circumstances in
probably till the this life or the next life to come. Based
end of humanity on this system of exchange, monks and
speaks volumes nuns receive remuneration from the lay
about the Rishis. community for their services. It is due
Compare the to this merit economy that monks and
above described nuns have been able to pursue a
system with any monastic lifestyle and monasteries have
other major world been built, some of which have become
religion; hardly a economic epicenters for the
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handful of surrounding community.

religious events in
a year, relatively
simple rituals. No
doubt Hinduism is
more than just a
religion.
Sociocultural Hinduism Buddhism exercised great influence in

Impact reinforced a strict shaping the various aspects of Indian
social hierarchy society. Its
called a caste impact in socio-cultural, religious and
system that made political spheres cannot be overlooked.
it nearly Buddhism
impossible for developed a popular religion, without
people to move any complicated, elaborate and
outside of their unintelligible rituals
social station. One requiring necessarily a priestly class.
influential This was one of the reasons for its mass
component of appeal. The ethical
Hinduism code of Buddhism is also relatively
impacting India is simple based on charity, purity,
the large-scale self-sacrifice, truthfulness
caste system, and control over passions. It laid great
known as the stress on love, equality and
‘varna’ system. non-violence. It is an
The varna caste acknowledged fact that the Upanishads,
system too, had illustrated these virtues before
represented the the advent of
Hindu ideal of Buddhism but credit goes to Buddhism
how society ought for raising public morality to those
to be structured. heights never
This form of witnessed before. It became an article
organisation of faith for the followers of Buddhism.
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classified society But more

into four ideal importantly Buddhism laid stress on the
categories: value that man is the architect of his
brahmin, kshatriya own destiny, not
, vaishya and any God or gods. There is a great
shudra . element of individuality in Buddhism
and it sans any elaborate
idea of God.
Table 4: Justification of Existence of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, and

Theravada Buddhism
Conduct a research on the doctrines of each of the religions and compare

them in the aspect of the origin, world news, modern expression and news on
women, morality, and purpose
Hinduism Mahayana Theravada

Buddhism Buddhism
Doctrines In the Hindu In the Mahayana Saṃsara is a

concept of tradition, the broad concept that
samsara, the emphasis is less refers to the
physical body may on nirvana and beginningless and
die, but the atman more on endless cycle of
or soul is eternal. knowledge or rebirth that beings
Depending on the wisdom, the undergo until they
person's behavior mastery of which attain
during life, the constitutes enlightenment.
atman will be awakening. Individuals are
reborn into a form Moreover, because thought to
that is better, the fact of transmigrate from
worse, or emptiness implies one existence to
equivalent to the that all dualities, the next depending
form it took in the such as good and on their karma.
prior life. Once the evil or existence Ignorance, which
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atman has reached and nonexistence, refers to ignorance

a state of are ultimately of reality as
enlightenment, it false, even basic represented in the
will not be reborn distinctions such insights of the
again. Samsara in as that between Four Noble
Hinduism is often samsara and Truths, is said to
called nirvana cannot be be the root cause
reincarnation in sustained. of rebirth.
the West, but the Ignorance is
concept involves co-existent with
more than just the three roots of
continual death unwholesomeness
and rebirth. In known as greed,
reincarnation in hatred and
Hinduism, the delusion. In
cycle of samsara Buddhist thought,
can be thought of being reborn as a
as a series of human is a special
opportunities for birth as one has
the atman to attain the ability to break
enlightenment; the cycle of
when that is rebirth.
achieved through
life experience,
the atman escapes
samsara.
World Views Hinduism is a Buddhism is a philosophy and moral

religion that discipline that has its roots in India's
worships a variety 6th and 5th centuries BCE. It is a
of gods. This is non-theistic religion (it does not believe
why Hinduism is in a creator god). Siddhartha Gautama,
classified as a also known as the Buddha, is credited
polytheistic with founding it. He is said to have
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religion as there been a Hindu prince before renouncing

are tons of gods his position and wealth to become a
that they worship. spiritual ascetic and, ultimately, an
Although some enlightened being who taught others
scholars argue that how to break free from samsara, the
Hinduism is a cycle of suffering, rebirth, and death.
henotheistic Since there is no God in Buddhism who
religion as they is a Creator, Judge, or Deity-in-Charge,
worship the the claim of non-theism is correct.
supreme creator Buddhist cosmology maintains that the
also called universe has always just existed and
Brahman. The that it is constantly evolving and
earth is ruled by devolving in response to causes and
three Gods, circumstances. The mechanism does
according to not have a First Cause or Prime Mover.
Hinduism. Shiva Also, according to the karma laws,
is the destroyer, human beings' fate is governed by their
Vishnu is the own deeds. No Divine Intercessor
preserver, and creates a permanent record card for
Brahma is the each person that follows them
creator. The three throughout all of their lifetimes.
Gods that rule the
world have
consorts and they
are goddesses too.
The goddess of
wisdom Sarasvati
is the consort of
Brahma. Lakshmi,
the goddess of
wealth and
prosperity, is
Vishnu's consort.
Shiva's consort is
M. Takeda 72
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Parvati who is also

known as Kali or
Durga.
Origins The earliest The origins of Theravada

literary source for Mahayana Buddhism
the history of Buddhism remain originated in India
Hinduism is the obscure; the date and was one of the
Rig Veda, and location of the first types of
consisting of tradition’s Buddhism created
hymns that were emergence are after the death of
composed chiefly unknown, and the the Buddha. In the
during the last two movement most grand council of
or three centuries likely took shape Buddhist monks
of the 2nd over time and in and scholars after
millennium BCE. multiple places. his death, known
The religious life The proper as the Second
reflected in this appraisal of the Buddhist Council,
text is not that of early Mahayana is which took place
contemporary even further in 383 B.C.E., a
Hinduism but of complicated by the schism was
an earlier fact that most formed between
sacrificial reconstructions Theravada
religious system, have been heavily Buddhism and
referred to by influenced by the Mahayana
scholars as agendas of modern Buddhism. The
Brahmanism or sectarian main teachings of
Vedism, which movements and Theravada were
developed in India that the scriptures written down in
among most valued by Sri Lanka and
Indo-European-sp later groups are spread from there
eaking peoples. not necessarily the and India to all of
Scholars from the texts that best Southeast India,
period of British represent the including
M. Takeda 73
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colonial rule movement in its Cambodia,

postulated that this formative period. Thailand, and
branch of a related The earliest Vietnam. There
group of nomadic sources for the are also significant
and semi-nomadic tradition are the bodies of
tribal peoples, Mahayana sutras, Theravada
originally scriptures that Buddhists in the
inhabiting the were first United States.
steppe country of compiled some
southern Russia four centuries after
and Central Asia, the Buddha’s
brought with them death. As in earlier
the horse and canonical
chariot and the Buddhist
Sanskrit language. literature, these
These scholars scriptures, almost
further averred certainly written
that other branches by monks, present
of these peoples the movement’s
penetrated into innovative ideas in
Europe, bringing the form of
with them the sermons said to
Indo-European have been
languages that delivered by the
developed into the Buddha
chief language Shakyamuni, as
groups now Siddhartha
spoken there. Gautama is
These theories known.
have been
disputed, however,
and the historical
homeland of the
Indo-Europeans
M. Takeda 74
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continues to be a
matter of
academic and
political
controversy.
Modern The modernity of Faces of During the early

Expressions the type of Compassion centuries
Hinduism that introduces us to following the
began in the early enlightened death of the
nineteenth century, beings, the Buddha, the
with the coming of bodhisattvas of community broke
the printing press, Buddhist lore. up into several
can be considered They’re not sects that, in the
in at least two otherworldly gods beginning,
ways. On the one with superhuman differed little from
hand, the term qualities but one another, as far
“modern” in the shining examples as is known (see
couplet modern of our own highest eighteen schools).
Hinduism refers to potential. The first
all of those Archetypes of separation
thinkers, wisdom and occurred in the 4th
institutions, ideas, compassion, the century BCE at
behaviors, and bodhisattvas of the time of the
practices that Buddhism are second council,
manifested after powerful and when a group
1800. On the other compelling images broke away from
hand, the term can of awakening. the Sthaviravada
be used Scholar and Zen and became
adjectivally to teacher Taigen known as the
refer, not simply Dan Leighton Mahasanghika. A
to the recent past engagingly second major
(implied by such explores the schism occurred
phrases as imagery and lore when the
M. Takeda 75
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“modern times”) of the seven most Sarvastivadins

but rather to a important of these (who hold that “all
particular way of archetypal figures, is real '') separated
engaging and bringing them from the
experiencing the alive as Vibhajyavadins
world. This psychological and (adherents of the
historically spiritual Doctrine of
peculiar manner of wellsprings. Distinctions),
experiencing and presumably the
engaging was Emphasizing the Sthaviravadins.
characterized in universality of Those
India (as spiritual ideas, Vibhajyavadins
elsewhere) by the Leighton finds that were
self-conscious aspects of distributed
deployment of bodhisattvas geographically in
European expressed in a southern India and
Enlightenment—r variety of familiar Sri Lanka became
eason and modern known as the
rationality—to personages—from Theravadins (the
rethink, reshape, Muhammad Ali to Pali form of
reform, and Mahatma Gandhi, Sthaviravadins).
revitalize from Bob Dylan to During the reign
time-honored Henry Thoreau, of the emperor
traditions and and from Gertrude Ashoka (3rd
institutions in Stein to Mother century BCE), the
India. Teresa. This Theravada school
edition contains a traveled to Sri
The printing press revised and Lanka, where it
was the expanded divided into three
technological introduction that subgroups, known
innovation that frames the book as after their
propelled the a exciting and monastic centers
modernizing broad-scoped view as the Mahavihara,
Hindu movements of Mahayana the Abhayagiriya,
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during this period. Buddhism. and the Jetavana.

The important The Theravada
Serampore press form of Buddhism
of Bengal was run gradually spread
by Baptist eastward,
missionaries. becoming
William Carey, dominant in
Joshua Marshman, Myanmar in the
and William Ward late 11th century
printed works in and in Cambodia
English and and Laos by the
vernacular 13th and 14th
languages. The centuries.
initial impetus for
printing was to
promote the habit
of reading among
Hindus and
Muslims in India
so that they might
one day be led to
embrace the Bible
and Western
civilization.
However, the
missionaries could
not have predicted
the side effects
that would emerge
as a result of the
incipient print
culture that they
initiated.
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Morality In Hinduism, there Mahāyāna The morality of

are different Buddhism codifies Theravada
understandings ethical behavior in Buddhism shows
and approaches to the form of the core value and
ethics. On the one precepts. There is the mission of
hand, there is a no single set of Buddhism. This is
context-sensitive precepts; some the salvation,
approach related Buddhists may attaining Nirvana,
to the principle of voluntarily and honor
duty (dharma). undertake five, “Buddha–Dharma
This approach is while others may and Sangha”. In
one’s personal follow extensive order to achieve
duty (svadharma) lists. The this great goal, the
and refers to the underlying Buddhists should
idea that an principle is that an make self-effort to
individual’s moral individual seeks to cultivate
behavior depends let go of their themselves on the
on one’s age, life sense of ego and Buddha teachings.
station, gender and attachment to the
caste. The smṛti self. It is believed
(remembered) that by letting go
texts are often of one’s ego and
seen as examples sense of self, an
of how to follow individual can act
one's personal from a
duty and the compassionate
possible karmic (karuṇā) and wise
consequences in (prajñā) state of
the cases where mind.
one does not. On
the other hand,
there is a universal
or ‘common to all'
ethical approach
M. Takeda 78
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known as
sādhāraṇa dharma.
This universal
system presents
ethical principles
that one should
follow regardless
of their context.
Such principles
include
non-violence
(ahiṃsā) and
truthfulness
(satya).
Purpose The purpose of The bodhisattvas The ideal of

life for Hindus is seek to understand Theravada
to achieve four this reality through Buddhism is the
aims, called wisdom (prajna) arhat (Pali:
Purusharthas. and to actualize it arahant), or
These are dharma, through perfected saint,
kama, artha and compassion who attains
moksha. These (karuna). They enlightenment as a
provide Hindus realize that since result of his own
with opportunities no individual has a efforts. The role of
to act morally and “self,” there can the layman and
ethically and lead be no real monk are clearly
a good life. difference differentiated by
Throughout their between the Theravadins,
lives, Hindus themselves and who do not
attempt to end the others, and consider it
cycle of samsara therefore their possible to attain
and behave in a own liberation is enlightenment
way that provides not distinct from while one is living
M. Takeda 79
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good karma in this the liberation of the life of a

life and the next. all beings. They layman.
are thus Theravadins
“self-less,” both profoundly revere
philosophically, in the historical
the sense of Buddha as a
understanding the perfected master
absence of self or but do not pay
essence in all homage to the
things and numerous buddhas
persons, and and bodhisattvas
ethically, since that are worshiped
they act for all in the Mahayana.
beings without
discrimination.
Views on women The Vedas refer to Buddhist doctrine The Buddha

women as dharma does not warmly
Patni and place differentiate responded, saying
great value on between males and that both men and
them (one who women. Both are women are
promotes and vulnerable to capable of
preserves the aging, disease, attaining the
rightful conduct of demise, yearning, highest states of
life). In Hinduism, and misery. The enlightenment.
traditionally, a capacity for The bhikkhuni
woman's position women to develop order emerged
has been viewed the knowledge, from this.
as supporting understanding, and Mahpjapati
family life and compassion eventually
having a required for received
significant role in enlightenment is permission from
the family's equal to that of the Buddha to
religious activities. males. Women become the first
M. Takeda 80
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However, due to a who have gained bhikkhuni and the

variety of causes, enlightenment are leader of the Order
such as mentioned in both of Bhikkhunis.
globalization and the Mahayana and But in order to do
the influence of Theravada so, she had to
Western cultures, traditions. agree to a set of
the role of a Hindu Khandro fundamental
woman in the Rinpoche, a guidelines known
household has female Tibetan as the
altered lama (spiritual garudhammas,
significantly over teacher), contends which included
time. Men and that women have conventions that
women are viewed always put the bhikkhunis
as having equal participated in the in a dependent and
value in many Sangha and subordinate
contemporary adhered to the position to the
Hindu societies. Dhamma. They monks. This
So, a Hindu are not a recent complied with the
woman may phenomenon. requirements of
decide to pursue a According to the that era's Indian
career and become author of society. This status
the household's Blossoms of the quo mostly
highest earner. Dharma: Life as a endures in the
Significantly, Buddhist Nun, modern era due to
Hinduism has contemporary the conservative
always held women in the nature of the
mothers in the Sangha are monastic tradition
highest regard and reviving old and its
valued them customs. commitment to
much. Despite upholding the
this, each woman standards that the
has a unique duty Buddha utilized.
due to her
varnashrama
M. Takeda 81
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dharma, or
obligations based
on the stage of life
she is in.
Table 5: Research on the Doctrines
Reflection on Hinduism
Understanding customs, beliefs and principles of Hinduism is timely,

especially from a grade 11 student like me who lives in a modern and digital era.
Hinduism taught me to become a better person, to cultivate spiritual values and
morale among fellow human beings.
Hinduism is considered as the oldest and world’s third largest religion it embraces
many religious ideas, norms, beliefs and traditions.Hinduists believe in 330 Gods
but they believe that their God is Brahman and these 330 Gods are the
representation of Brahman in different ways. Hindus believe in doctrines of
samsara which discuss the continuous cycle of life, death and reincarnation,
meaning that after one dies they are reborn and karma which discusses the
universal law of cause and effect. Performing meditation is said to believe to calm
your body and soul. The main thought of Hinduism was “Atman '' or the belief in
soul which explains that all living creatures have a soul and all souls are eternal.
Hinduism explains that there is no beginning and ending of the universe, thus the
concept of birth or rebirth exists .
Reflection on Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the importance of compassion in achieving

enlightenment and emphasizes the idea of the bodhisattva which is devoted to
helping all the beings reach enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhism also emphasizes
the importance of the individual in the path to enlightenment and encourages its
followers to engage in social activism in order to help others to reach their
M. Takeda 82
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enlightenment Also, it is characterized by its inclusion of many different texts,

range of practices and emphasis on social engagement. Mahayana means “to
awaken” and performing meditation used to achieve this knowledge. Mahayana
Buddhism teaches us that the universe has no beginning nor endings and infinite
worlds are all part of true reality, the realization that dualities such as good and
evil, there is an infinite number of buddhas. The concept of karma is important in
mahayana buddhism because it refers to an individual's actions that might
influence his future. And also karma affects believer’s acquisition and wisdom and
enlightenment which means that the more good karma/ merit you created from
your actions and thoughts, the more likely you will achieve enlightenment.
Reflection on Theravada Buddhism
As a student living in this modern era, reflecting and understanding is very

important to understand the basic concepts of Buddhism. One of these was
Theravada Buddhism. I’ve learned that Theravada means “School of elders”. This
refers to the Theravada beliefs that its teachings are taken directly from the Buddha
himself. The main facets of Theravada Buddhism includes chanting or repeating
mantras, meditation, and the offering of sacrifices in special temples. The two
fundamental concepts of Theravada Buddhism are Nirvana which is said to be the
perfect place that is free from all sufferings and Arhat by means of individuals who
dwell in Nirvana or referred as “perfect being / perfectly enlightened being”. There
are many Theravada Buddhism traditions and each of these performed in the hope
that the individual will be further enlightened and progress on the path towards
nirvana.
M. Takeda 83
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The beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism include a wide variety of beliefs.

ALL ABOUT HINDUISM

Hinduism is a significant worldwide religion that originated in India and

The term "Hinduism" became well-known as a designation of religious

Hinduism is a religion that worships a variety of gods. This is why Hinduism

From Left to Right: Brahma, Vishnu, From Left to Right: Sarasvati,

There are numerous other Gods and Goddesses in addition to these. To

Sama Veda.Sama Veda, often known as the "Book of Song," "Veda of

Ramayana. The Ramayana is an old Sanskrit epic that chronicles Prince

Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that

Beliefs and Doctrines

Atman. Atman is a Hindu word that means ‘soul or spirit’. Essentially, it

Nirvana. Nirvana, also known as moksha in Hinduism, is the union with

Dharma. Dharma is described as cosmic law or order. The best way to

Dharmachakra. Hinduism most frequently refers to the Dharma Wheel as

Worships and Observances

Mandir. Mandir is the name for a Hindu temple. Hindus revere it as a

Diwali. Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and fortune, is honored during

Makar Sankranti. In India, Makar Sankranti is regarded as a very

Maha Shivaratri. According to mythology, Lord Shiva performs his

According to mythology, Lord Shiva performs his heavenly dance, or "tandav," on

Holi. Holi is widely and enthusiastically celebrated throughout India. It

Krishna Janmashtami. Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami,

Navaratri. A celebration of the Divine Feminine, Navaratri is most

Shaivism. Shaivism has no beginning, making it really ageless and old. It is

Vaishnavism. Vishnu, whose name means "pervader," has been worshiped

Smartism. A devotee of classical smriti, particularly the Dharma Shastras,

Polygamy. The practice of polygamy is against the law. both in accordance

Poverty. Simple rural living is sometimes seen in the wealthy world as a

Child Marriage. Child marriage is prohibited in accordance with Vedic

ALL ABOUT BUDDHISM

The "spirit" or "essence" of the Buddha's teachings, also known as dhamma

Life of Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama is said to have lived

may lead Siddhartha to choose a life of renunciation as a religious teacher. He also

As a result of Siddhartha's upbringing in a beautiful palace, where he was

earth. According to traditional stories, he consumed a contaminated piece of either

One of the main branches of Buddhism is the Mahayana. The name

Mahayana Buddhism is best understood as a diverse and open-minded

Sutras. In Buddhism, a sutra ,Sanskrit word for "thread", is a written work

Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is regarded as Mahayana Buddhism's most

According to the Lotus Sutra, everyone can become a Buddha in this

Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. The Prajnaparamita Sutra, also known as the

The Heart Sutra, like the Lord's Prayer in Christianity, is well-known

Diamond Sutra. One of the most significant and revered Buddhist

Beliefs and Doctrines

Trikaya. In Buddhism, the three bodies, or levels of manifestation, are

Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva path serves as the theoretical foundation for

Everyone is encouraged by Mahayana Buddhism to become Bodhisattvas,

the multitude." Mahayanists believed that compassion and wisdom go hand in

Mahayana Buddhists hold that in order to achieve Nirvana, one needs to

asceticism and indulgence, neither of which the Buddha found to be beneficial in

Bodhisattva Precepts. The Bodhisattva Precepts are a series of ethical

denounce the wrongdoings or transgressions of [ordinary] monks and nuns,

Worships and Observances

Mandala. Mahayana temples serve as a type of holy place. Another type of

significant holiday in Chinese societies and is frequently referred to as Chinese

Parinirvana.Nehan-e is another name for Parinirvanna. On February 15, the

Higan or Higan-e. Mahayana Buddhists celebrate Higan-e or Higan for a

Hana Matsuri. The Gregorian calendar was adopted by Japan in 1873. On

Zen Buddhism. The essential element of Zen Buddhism is found in its

Pure Land Buddhism. This subdivision offers a way to enlightenment for