Hinduism and Buddhism

Hindu Caste System

• Four Levels:

  • Brahmins: priests and teachers.

  • Kshatriyas: warriors and rulers.

  • Vaishyas: traders and agriculturists.

  • Shudras: laborers and service providers.

• Peace Definition: In my own words, peace can be understood as a state of tranquility and harmony where there is an absence of conflict and a feeling of contentment.

Buddhism

• Ego: The ego in Buddhism is viewed as an obstacle that never accepts the truth, preventing individuals from achieving enlightenment.

Essence of Buddhism

• Middle Way: Refers to the balanced approach of wisdom and compassion in Buddhist practice.

• Three Jewels of Buddhism:

  • Buddha: The teacher who attained enlightenment.

  • Dharma: The teachings or doctrine of Buddhism.

  • Sangha: The community of practitioners.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

• Background:

  • Born as a prince in NE India (present-day Nepal).

  • At age 29, he rejected his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and understand suffering.

• Ascetic Life:

  • Lived strictly as an ascetic for six years.

  • Ultimately realized that extreme asceticism was not the path to enlightenment.

• Nirvana:

  • Achieved through meditation, becoming known as "The Enlightened One" at age 35.

Fundamental Cause of Suffering

• Desire: The fundamental cause of all suffering in the world is desire.

• Self-Extinction: The teachings suggest one must extinguish self-obsession in order to alleviate suffering.

Four Noble Truths

1. Existence of Suffering: To live is to suffer.

2. Cause of Suffering: Self-centered desires and attachments are the root causes.

3. Solution: Eliminate desire and attachments.

4. Path to Salvation: Follow the Eightfold Path to achieve nirvana.

Eightfold Path

• Nirvana: Represents union with ultimate spiritual reality and escape from the cycle of rebirth.

Types of Buddhism

• Theravada Buddhism:

  • Oldest form, prevalent in southern Asia.

  • Emphasis on wisdom and meditation, aiming for individual enlightenment (Buddhahood).

• Mahayana Buddhism:

  • Developed in northern Asia (China, Japan).

  • Known as Buddhism "for the masses"; focuses on the salvation of all humanity through the self-sacrifice of the enlightened.

• Zen Buddhism:

  • Seeks sudden enlightenment through meditation, aiming for a state of emptiness.

  • Appreciates beauty and art, including gardens and calligraphy.

• Tibetan Buddhism:

  • Originated in Tibet in the 7th century CE.

  • A blend of Theravada and Mahayana practices, including spiritual leaders known as Lamas (e.g., Dalai Lama).

Growth of Buddhism

• Buddhism began in northern India and expanded throughout Asia, influencing cultures in various regions such as:

  • Countries: Tokyo, Beijing, Korea, Japan, Tibet, China, and more.

  • Forms: Theravada Buddhism dominant in Southeast Asia and Mahayana Buddhism prevalent in other regions.

Similarities and Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism

• Shared Beliefs:

  • Reincarnation: Both religions hold a cyclical view of history and a belief in enlightenment (moksha for Hinduism, nirvana for Buddhism).

  • Caste System: Present in Hinduism (not in Buddhism).

  • Middle Way (Eightfold Path) and Four Noble Truths: Unique to Buddhism.