Compare & Contrast Paper: Similarities and Differences in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism PDF

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Essay regarding the similarities and differences in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism...

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Similarities and Differences in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism Religion is a very important aspect in the lives of millions of people across the world today. Most of the religions in the eastern portion of the world started from the remnants of another. For example, Jainism began as a reform movement of Hinduism, eventually developing into its own distinct religion. Likewise, Buddhism began as an alternative to Hinduism. With these religions building their foundations in opposition to another, there are undoubtedly going to be distinct differences between the three, yet there are a few prevalent similarities. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism are very unique religions in their own aspects, however, there are many similarities and differences between the religions that ultimately center around their principles of gods, goals, souls, and rituals in death. One of the most essential and fundamental aspects of many religions is the idea of a divine being, such as gods, goddesses, both, or in some cases the lack thereof. In Hinduism, there are thousands, perhaps millions of Gods, which is in sharp contrast with Jainism and Buddhism. In Jainism, there is no god, no founder, no leader; it can even be considered an atheistic or nontheistic religion (101). Similar to Jainism, Buddhism has no main deity, however, there is a founder, known as the Buddha. In most religions, imaging of god and/or gods is very important; Buddhism and Hinduism are no different. In the Hinduism, all gods are represented by images, or Murti, that can be statues, pictures, or even posters. In Buddhism, all forms of imaging of gods are acceptable. However, statues of the Buddha are favored over paintings or pictures, as these are not considered to be as inspiring as statues (131). Though these religions have branched off from one another, it is very evident that each of them have their own unparalleled theories when it comes to gods or the lack thereof. Every religion has goals or objectives that the followers spend their lives trying to reach.

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The ultimate goal of Hinduism is to merge one’s atman with Brahman. There are also four goals of Hindu life which are dharma, artha, karma, and moksha (77-82). The central teaching in Jainism is moksha, which doubles as the ultimate goal of the religion: liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is the complete liberation from the mortality of life. The fundamental objective of a Buddhist is to find enlightenment before death, thus bringing an end to the cycle of reincarnation. There are clear similarities between these religions, as all of them seem to have the same tangible goal, liberation from reincarnation. However, the path of ending the cycle of reincarnation is where the religions tend to differ. While moksha is a central principle in Hinduism and Buddhism, enlightenment is essential in Buddhism. It is evident that though there is much contrast within these religions, one uniting aspect can be found between them all: that of the ultimate goal of finding liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. In regards to Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, there is specific mention of souls and the cycle of reincarnation. In Hinduism, the individual personal soul that collects karma is called the Jiva. Similarly, in Jainism the soul is also known as the jiva. Buddhism is a bit different from Hinduism and Jainism; as Buddhists believe in the concept of Anatta, or the idea that there is no permanent self or soul (128). All three of the religions emphasize karma. In Hinduism, karma is referred to as deeds or acts that influence reincarnation. Jains also believe that karma is deeds, as well as the negative result of those deeds. Buddhists tend to think that karma is not so much a deed, but the cause and effect result of specific actions being conducted. Jainism and Buddhism are similar in the aspect that this karma is a result of things being done. Hinduism and Buddhism have a similar concept known as samsara, which in both religions is simply the cycle of reincarnation or the wandering through endless reincarnations. Hinduism and Jainism both mention the concept of moksha, or the liberation or release from reincarnation. There are many

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differences between Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, but they all seem to hold similar values when it comes to karma and the cycles of reincarnation. Though all of these religions are imminent on emphasizing the importance of liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, each has specific death rituals. In the Hinduism, the deceased are cremated on a wood fire and the remaining ashes and bone are put into a source of flowing water and left there (88). When a member of Jain society passes, the body is put into a casket during the ceremony and is then taken to be cremated on a wood fire at a crematorium. After the Jain body has been cremated, a hole is dug in the ground and the remains are placed there (108). The funeral process for Buddhism is very similar to that of Jainism and Hinduism, in that Buddhists are also cremated. After cremation, a Buddhist’s remains are buried in a cemetery. In Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, cremation is the main process of burial. However, Hindus and Buddhists have been known to be buried whole in poorer classes, places where wood for cremation is scarce, or if whole body burial is the norm in a specific geographical region. Though religious burial rituals seem very similar in all of these religions, there are a few distinct differences that distinguish them from each other, making burial processes unique from religion to religion. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism are practiced all over the world today. They are not only religions, but ways of life for millions across the globe. They are all very similar, yet very different in more ways than one. Within the concepts of gods, goals, souls, and rituals in death, each religion has its own extraordinary beliefs and practices, a few of which are shared between one or more of the religions. All in all there is one thing that is undeniable: the followers of these religions are dedicated to living their lives to serve their religion and meet their ultimate goals.

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Works Cited Van Voorst, Robert E. RELG: World. 3rd ed., Cengage Learning, 2017.

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