Comments on Hinduism and Buddhism

Paula Pancorbo
Mini-Paper II
World Religion - Online


Would Hinduism be adoptable by my peers?

Hinduism, unlike practically every other religion, is not prophet-centric. Rather, Hinduism is a God-centric religion. The Hindu concept is that each soul is moving ever closer to God over many lives and that when a soul reaches sufficient spiritual maturity, it awakens a conscious desire to know God as its inmost essence, to experience Truth personally.

Continuously striving to attain the soul’s release from the body (and, thereby, breaking the endless cycle of reincarnation) is a central tenant for all Hindus, though few Hindus actively seek this ideal.

Central to Hindu teachings is the universal desire to satisfy the human striving for peace of mind (Shanti).

So, assuming Hinduism is appealing, would Hinduism accept me or my friends? Hindu scriptures are essentially silent on the issue of religious conversion. The many Hindus that view Hinduism primarily as a philosophy or a way of life would likely be accepting of one desirous of conversion. A person presumably can convert simply by incorporating Hindu beliefs and by considering oneself a Hindu. Interestingly, most Hindu sects do not recruit converts. Rather, most Hindus believe that the goals of spiritual life can be attained through any religion, so long as it is practiced in earnest.

Buddhism, like most religions, is prophet-centric, based upon the teachings of, strangely enough, a Hindu, Siddhartha Gautama (aka Buddha). Generally, Buddhists believe that individuals are composed of five “bundles.” Many Buddhists believe that any individual can attempt to reach the stage of perfect enlightenment (“Nirvana”). Unfortunately, only monks can attain Nirvana.

So, assuming one of my friends became interested in Buddhism, could that person become one? Well, it depends. It depends on just how far you are interested in taking it. Buddhism, yes, feel free to walk right in but to reach Nirvana, one must be a monk. Not a monk? Do not despair, through many reincarnations, the most average of Buddhist can be reborn as a monk (unless, unfortunately, you friend is female).

Between the two, personally Hinduism is more appealing. As a kind of meta-religion, Hinduism is a nice overlay on most any religion in that it compliments rather than conflicts and, in that respect, should be a central focus of any idealistic thought of a universal religion. Buddhism, although an offshoot of sorts of the older Hindu religion is, comparatively conservative and loses significant credibility with its views towards women.