The society of Hinduism is strictly divided. The different levels, castes, do not mingle. The division is largely due to the practices of dharma and karma. Both practices express the idea that if someone is born into a specific lifestyle, they must stay there. It would be bad karma to attempt to leave that lifestyle. Within the caste system, there are four levels along with two groups that are apart from the castes. Every caste comes from Brahma, with the highest level being the Brahmin. This level is the priestly caste, but also included teachers and keepers or the religion. The next level, the Kshatriyas, were the kings and soldiers. The third level is the Vaisyas. They occupy the jobs of merchants, artisans, and farmers. The fourth and final caste is Sudras. These people are the manual workers, represented by Brahma's feet. It is considered a sin to associate with people of a lower caste than you. So each caste is made up of a different level of the society.
There are also two groups outside the caste system. One group is for foreigners. They might be a nonbeliever or anyone who receives special treatment from the Hindu society. The second outcaste group is known as the Untouchables; these people are considered nonhuman and cannot participate in any Hindu practices. They do the work no one wants to do and do no associate with anyone that is of a higher caste.
Siddartha Gautama founded Buddhism and became the Buddha. His intentions were not to form a new religion, only to modify an older one. Brahmanism, or Hinduism, had become very mainstream. Siddartha was a minor king of northern India. He ventured outside the palace walls one day and saw how life really was. Inspired, Siddartha left his home, and family to discover the meaning of life. For years he listened to and studied with the Indian wise men; he then turned to meditation. Discouraged by not finding the answer he desired, he sat under a fig tree for 49 days. When the answer finally came to him, he became Buddha. Therefore, Buddhism was founded.
Buddhism is a reformed version of Hinduism. Buddha discovered the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation for all forms of Buddhist philosophy. There is suffering, suffering is caused, eliminating the causes of suffering can extinguish suffering and the way to extinguish the causes of suffering is to follow the Middle Way stated in the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path also comes from Buddha; it teaches to practice moderation. If followed, one may achieve true enlightenment, or nirvana. Nirvana is reaching Brahma in one lifetime. Buddha believed that you could live a perfect life and not have to continue in the samsara. The basic way to this is the Eightfold Path, which says to practice moderation by having the right mind set, actively wanting to eliminate suffering, not lying, insulting or causing suffering with words. Also, to have the right conduct, means of livelihood, endeavors, mindfulness and meditation. Buddhists believe that if you follow this you will be enlightened.
Many Buddhist beliefs are almost the same as a Hindu's. Buddhists do not practice the caste system. One of the only ways to achieve nirvana in one lifetime is to be a monk or a nun. If you break an area in the Eightfold Path, then you cannot achieve nirvana. Also, in order to follow the 4th part of The Eightfold Path, all Buddhists are vegetarians. Killing of an animal is seen as causing suffering. Like the Hindus, an animal has a soul.
Despite all the talk about suffering, Buddhism is really about the absence of suffering. Buddhism is a way to develop the ability to love the entire universe, simply because it is. By understanding that the universe exits inside a blade of grass, just as the blade of grass resides within the universe. All things are inter-connected.
Both Hinduism and Buddhism accept and believe that there is one creator spirit. Each of them recognizes Brahma or a version of Brahma as the creator spirit. Though they also recognize other gods, Brahma is the ultimate god. All praise goes to him, no matter which god you are praising. This is a significant similarity between the two religions.
The two religions of Hinduism and Buddhism believe in the process of reincarnation. Reincarnation is being reborn again with one soul. Inside this belief, they also believe that your deeds, or activities, during your life will determine where you will end up. If you have lived a good life, you will be rewarded by another good life, or you might be allowed finally to rejoin with Brahma. If you've led a bad life, you will remain on earth longer, and most likely have a bad life when you are reborn.
In the religion of Hinduism there are castes, or social classes. They decide what your lifestyle will be like in that lifetime. If you are born a slave, you must stay a slave your whole life. Or, if you are born a wealthy man or woman that is what you must be all of your life. To the Hindus, it is a sin to try to change what caste you belong to, as well as to associate with a person from a caste that is lower than yours.
On the other hand, the teachings of the Buddha did away with the caste system. A person is allowed to change their social class. If they follow the Eightfold Path, then this is permissible. It is an honor to be a monk or a nun, for they are the ones who can achieve nirvana. Buddhists also will mingle with those of less importance then themselves.
Hinduism teaches that you must go through samsara in order to finally reach moksha. They do not believe that a soul can totally cleanse itself of all impurities in just one life. It is a gradual process involving dharma, balancing one's life, and karma, weighing the deeds of a lifetime. Meanwhile, the Buddha again went and brought question to samsara. He found that it is possible to cleanse oneself in one lifetime and return to Brahma; he called it nirvana. In order to achieve nirvana, a Buddhist must follow and accept The Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path serves as an instructional guide as how to keep oneself on the right path to nirvana.
Hinduism and Buddhism also have several smaller differences. The area of greatest concentration for Hinduism is India. India is where Buddhism originated, but Hinduism eventually was a more appealing religion and became dominant. Buddhism is found mostly in East Asia, inside China and Mongolia. These areas prefer having small gods, as opposed to the Hindus only having three major ones and then smaller, less important gods. Buddhism was founded by Suddartha Gautama, or the Buddha. Hinduism was started gradually; no one knows for sure who founded it; most likely, it was many people. Both practice meditation, but
they practice it in different forms. A Hindu will meditate obtaining inner peace through the charkras of the body. Once all of the charkras have been balanced, a white light is said to be above the person's head, and they are enlightened. Buddhists meditate similarity, but have different variations of how it is preformed; their main goal is to end suffering.
The two religions of Buddhism and Hinduism are very alike, and yet very different. To accept their way of thinking, one must put aside their own religion. They strive for an inner peace, and finally to reach heaven through either moksha or nirvana. I being a Christian, have found in some ways it hard to understand the process of reincarnation, and Brahma. Though, I can see how that for people of another culture, these religions are very supportive, and soothing. Culture plays a big part in determining your beliefs. Obviously, they are very deep-rooted for surviving longer than Christianity. I admire their strong faith and their desire to become pure and unblemished. Hinduism and Buddhism are two major religions, firmly planted in their cultures, and I am sure that they will remain for a long time to come.
