Hinduism: Reason is of limited if the physical is illusion. One seeks truth through meditation and experience. Contradiction, paradox, and mystical rejection of as illusion” “reason is a common theme. Buddhism: One cannot but one can be though ultimately, since ceasing to “know” “enlightened” exist is the ultimate reward, to not know is to know nothing can be, in the Western sense, – Contradiction, paradox, and mystical rejection of as illusion” is a common “known.” “reason theme. Though Hindus have some creation myths, 5. How do we explain the world being here at all? both Hindus and Buddhists ultimately believe the cosmos has always been. Both Hindus and Buddhists strive to escape the wheel of 6. What’s the purpose of life? reincarnation; to accumulate enough karma to avoid suffering in the next life. 7. What is good? Hinduism: doing the duty of ones caste. Ethics vary depending on the person and Dharma situation: is a relative science. What is good for one man may not be good for another man. “Ethics What is good at one time and at one place may not be good at another time and at another place.” Buddhism: In Buddhism, there is much talk of a skilled mind. A mind that is skilful avoids actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse. Buddhism places a great emphasis on 'mind' and it is mental anguish such as remorse, anxiety, or guilt. 8. Why is the world broken…and is there hope to change that condition? Hinduism: Hinduism is a cultural faith, not a missionary faith, so universal salvation is not a great concern. The wheel of life and rebirth will continue in a never ending cycle. Buddhism: Buddhism a missionary faith ultimately suffering ends when identity and is – individual desire end; individual desire ends when a soul ceases to exist having been enlightened and no longer being trapped in the wheel of reincarnation and returning to with the “merge” universal consciousness. Ironically, Buddhism did not gain many followers in India, but it spread most successfully to Southeast Asia, Japan, and China. It did not dominate China, but became a very influential religion in a vast land with its own ancient belief in ancestors, with many other faiths, and with a long tradition of blending diverse worldviews. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path
Hinduism: Reason is of limited if the physical is illusion. One seeks truth through meditation and experience. Contradiction, paradox, and mystical rejection of “reason as illusion” is a common theme. Buddhism: One cannot “know” but one can be “enlightened” though ultimately, since ceasing to exist is the ultimate reward, to not know is to know – nothing can be, in the Western sense, “known.” Contradiction, paradox, and mystical rejection of “reason as illusion” is a common theme. 5. How do we explain the world being here at all? Though Hindus have some creation myths, both Hindus and Buddhists ultimately believe the cosmos has always been. 6. What’s the purpose of life? Both Hindus and Buddhists strive to escape the wheel of reincarnation; to accumulate enough karma to avoid suffering in the next life. 7. What is good? Hinduism: Dharma doing the duty of ones caste. Ethics vary depending on the person and situation: “Ethics is a relative science. What is good for one man may not be good for another man. What is good at one time and at one place may not be good at another time and at another place.” Buddhism: In Buddhism, there is much talk of a skilled mind. A mind that is skilful avoids actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse. Buddhism places a great emphasis on 'mind' and it is mental anguish such as remorse, anxiety, or guilt. 8. Why is the world broken…and is there hope to change that condition? Hinduism: Hinduism is a cultural faith, not a missionary faith, so universal salvation is not a great concern. The wheel of life and rebirth will continue in a never ending cycle. Buddhism: Buddhism is a missionary faith – ultimately suffering ends when identity and individual desire end; individual desire ends when a soul ceases to exist having been enlightened and no longer being trapped in the wheel of reincarnation and returning to “merge” with the universal consciousness. Ironically, Buddhism did not gain many followers in India, but it spread most successfully to Southeast Asia, Japan, and China. It did not dominate China, but became a very influential religion in a vast land with its own ancient belief in ancestors, with many other faiths, and with a long tradition of blending diverse worldviews. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path