A comparison of Buddism and Hinduism. 6pages, 1614 words

Essay by smurfette594University, Bachelor'sA+, April 2004

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Buddhism and Hinduism have many things in common and if you look at them closely you even might think they are the same but they are not the same. By not even looking at their similarities there are two things of Buddhism that differentiate it from Hinduism. The Buddha himself never addressed any of these issues or topics with the Buddhism as a religion gives off the ideas of eternal self (Atman) and eternity in nature (Brahman), this distinguishes it from Hinduism. The major aspects of Hinduism are Maya, karma and dharma. The concepts also play major roles in Buddhism. Maya is the belief that everything, which one sees in this world is illusion, a product of the individual's own failed interpretation and self-delusion. It is one of the foundations of the Hindu faith. It cannot be said, however, that Buddhist doctrine (as a whole) either supports or denies Maya.

The Buddhist belief that all beings perceive differently can be used to argue both for and against the concept. That no one perceives a given thing in the same way could be said to mean that is has no objective reality, only a subjective one existing solely in the mind of the perceiver. But it could also be said that because all things perceive that object differently implies it cannot be an illusion. It could be argued that if an object was illusory, it would be so for all and it would not take on a different form for different viewers. The fact that a Buddhist could conceivably remove from himself all delusion (in the obtainment of Nirvana), yet still perceive an object, would also indicate that the object is not illusory. Buddhism, unlike Hinduism, is unclear on the nature of Maya. Although all Hindus believe in it, not all...