Similarity between Hinduism & Buddhism
1. Karma
Adherence of both in Hinduism and Buddhism believes in Karma. Karma is what determines fate of an individual during the next life. It is believed that every soul will evolve through the circle of births and rebirth – Samsara – until karmas are resolved. In Buddhist philosophy, the main problem is how Karma is possible as there is no self to be reborn.
Islamic perspective: People will be punished in the Hell fire due to the evil deeds which they have committed in this life and people will be rewarded in Paradise as a consequence of the righteous deeds in this life. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise).” (An-Najm 53: 31)
2. Samsara
Continuous cycle of birth and rebirth is called Samsara. The reason behind Samsara is avidya (ignorance and wrong knowledge about reality). Both the Hindus and Buddhists believe in Samsara. Only way to get ridge and liberate from Samsara as per Buddhism is Buddhist path. In Hinduism Moksha (liberation from Samsara) is possible achieved by following ascetic practices.
Islamic perspective: There are many Quranic verses and Saheeh Hadith which talks about the life after death, but the continuous cycle of birth and death is against the Islamic teaching. Soul of His slaves will be restored by Allah and they will not die after this new creation. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat, and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment.” (Ibrahim 14:17)
3. Moksha and Nirvana
Nirvana or removing desires by following eight fold path is the ultimate goal of the life as per Buddhist believes. Literal meaning of Nirvana is “blowing out” or “extinction”. Extinguishing fire that cause suffering is called Nirvana. Nirvana is what leads to Moksha. Ultimate goal of human life in Hinduism is Moksha, that is liberation from the Samsara. So the concepts Moksha and Nirvana are similar philosophical concepts in Hinduism and Buddhism which free oneself from Samsara and saves from sufferings of this life.
Islamic perspective: Moksha and/or Nirvana is irrelevant to Muslims as there is no such thing as Samsara.
Differences between Hinduism & Buddhism
1. Incarnation
Hindus believes in Avatars. They consider Buddha as the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, but Buddhists don’t believe in incarnation and they don't consider Buddha to be a God.
Islamic perspective: Islam completely rejects the idea of incarnation of God Almighty and it is considered as Shirk. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." ” (Al Maida 5:72)
2. Concept of God
Buddhism does not have a concept of God and hence it is more like a philosophy rather than a religion. They even don't have a creational story, hence they are not considered as a universal religion. On other hand Hindus believes in Gods and they worship several idols.
Islamic perspective: “Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists” (Al Baqarah 2:255)
3. Revealed scriptures
Hinduism has a long history of literate tradition. They have two types of texts, namely Shruti and Smriti. Shruti are considered as divinely revealed sacred scriptures while Smriti scriptures being human origin are seen as that which is learned, remembered and written down in order to explain Shruti. However Buddhism does not have a divine scripture and the sayings of Buddah – the Sutras – were passed down orally for first four hundred years.
Islamic perspective: Vedas and Sutras are not the word of God, but we believe in the last and final message sent by Almighty Allah. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “That (this) is indeed an honourable recital (the Noble Quran). In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz). Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels). A Revelation (this Quran) from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”. (Al-Waqi'a 77-80)
4. Cast system
Hindus believe in cast system and also they believe one being in high cast or lower cast in this life is because of the deeds he/she committed in the life before. They would not want to help people of other cast (specially Shudras, the untouchables), as according to Hindu belief, one becomes a Shudra due to accumulation of bad deeds. It is mentioned in Rigveda book 10 hymn 90 verse 12 & Manu Smriti chapter 1 verse 31; “So that the world would prosper, Brahma created Brahmana from his mouth, Kshatriya from his arm, Vaishya from his thighs and Shudra from his feet”. Also it is mentioned in Manu Smriti Chapter 8 verse 413; "The Shudra has been created by Brahma to serve the Brahmin. Even if master frees the Shudra, he is not free since Shudra is slave by birth“. Manu Smriti chapter 8 verse 281 says "If a Shudra tries to sit down on the same seat as of Brahmin, he should be branded on the hip or his buttocks should be cut off”. On other hand, Buddhism does not have the concept of cast system. It is reported that the Buddha said: By birth one is not an outcaste, By birth one is not a Brahmin; By deeds alone one is an outcaste, By deeds alone one is a Brahmin.
Islamic perspective: Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious - see V. 2:2). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Al-Hujrat 49:13)
Reference
Thasneem & Bibi (2003): Comparitive Religion – Aqueeda 301 Module 12 to 21 Notes, baisnotes [Online]. Available at https://baisnotes.wordpress.com/. Accessed on 22nd December 2014, 22:05
Al-Hilali,M. & Khan,M. (1404 A.H.) Translation of the meaning of the noble Qur'an in the English language. King Fahd Complex for the printing of the holy Qur'an, Madinah, K.S.A
Buddha Dharma Education Association & BuddhaNet (2008) Life of the Buddha (Part Two) 24. The Buddha on the Caste System [Online]. Available at http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/2_24lbud.htm. Accessed on 24th December 2014, 14:10
No comments:
Post a Comment