World Religions Short Answer Questions

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1.) Compare and contrast the major tenets of Buddhism with those of Hinduism. When comparing and contrasting the major principles or beliefs of Buddhism with those of Hinduism, it becomes clear that these two “religions” are similar and different in many ways. By breaking down what they believe in and who they believe in, we are able to deduce just what makes these two beliefs so similar, yet so different. Beginning with their similarities, Buddhism and Hinduism have quite a lot in common. Both religions believe in the concept of karma, transmigration of souls, and the cycle of births and souls of each soul. They both emphasize compassion and non violence towards all living things. They both believe in the existence of several heavens and hells or higher and lower worlds. Both parties believe in the existence of gods and or deities on different planes. They support spiritual practices like meditation, concentration, and the cultivation of certain states of mind. They believe in detachment, the renunciation of worldly life as a precondition to enter their spiritual life. They also both consider desire as the chief cause of suffering, and they both evolved on Indian soil. But although Buddhism and Hinduism seem to share a lot in common, there are many differences that divide these two parties. For starters, Hinduism is a religion while Buddhism is a philosophy. Hinduism is not founded by any particular prophet while Buddhism was founded by the Buddha. Hinduism believes in the efficacy and supremacy of the Vedas while Buddhists do not believe in the Vedas or for that matter any Hindu scripture. Buddhism does not believe in the existence of souls or God while Hinduism believes in the existence of Atman, that is the individual soul and Braham, the Supreme Creator. Hinduism accepts the Buddha as an incarnation of Mahavishnu, one of the gods of Hindu trinity
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