Compare & Contrast Hinduism and Buddhism in Ancient India - Essay Example

This paper will look at the similarities and differences between these two religions in ancient India. Both of these religions which flourished in India recognize the need of man to "escape from the wheel of life." Buddhism and Hinduism teach that man is in a quest to achieve a state where he is freed from all the sufferings of this life. In Hinduism, this is through a transcendental union while the goal of Buddhism is to reach nirvana or become enlightened (Buddha). Both of the religions believe in karma or reaping the fruits of one's actions through reincarnation.

These religions teach that a man's life now is the result of what his actions in his past life. Man is not released from the cycle of life unless he attains enlightenment. The basic foundation of a religion is often built on its doctrine of who god is. This is because a religion's god becomes the center of worship. The teachings of Buddhism traces back to the life of Gautama who sought to determine the cause and the cure of human suffering. After enjoying happiness from being the prince in his kingdom, he also exposed himself to sufferings.

His prescription is to that a man should live the a life in the middle of these extremes-the middle path. Buddhism therefore doesn't teach salvation through a powerful being becoming a religion which doesn't worship any god. On the other hand, Hinduism is a polytheistic religion worshipping the trinity of god comprised of Brahman, Vishnu, and Shiva and other 33,000 dieties. Another difference between Buddhism and Hinduism is their beliefs on the placement of man in the society. It should be noted that as Buddhism teaches the middle path as the perfect way a man can live his life, it strongly pushes for equality among the members of the society.

Buddhism teaches that no man should be deprived of the pleasures and life at the same time that no one should be given to sufferings. This ideology pushes for the eradication of the caste society where man is classified according to his social status. In direct contrast, Hinduism adheres to a hierarchical society where some should lead others in order for the society to function efficiently. Thus, the caste system is only just and should be practiced in the whole India. The ends of the two religions are marked by the emergence of a more popular religious belief.

In the case of Buddhism, the wide acceptance of Hinduism marks its downfall. The teachings of this religion become confusing to the people with its division into two factions namely, Theravada and Mahayana. With the rise of a hierarchical society which is lead by the wealthy families during the time, its hold in the Indian society is therefore weakened. On the same way, the end of Hinduism is commenced by the arrival of Islam which also introduced new ideas in the society. Instead of ascribing to the polytheistic nature of Hinduism, Islam introduced the worship of only one god as well as the revives the belief on egalitarianism.