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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Existence of Suffering: To live is to suffer.
Cause of Suffering: Self-centered desires and attachments are the root causes.
Solution: Eliminate desire and attachments.
Path to Salvation: Follow the Eightfold Path to achieve nirvana.

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

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).

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.

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.