Buddism vs Hinduism

[IndigoChild5559]

Buddism vs Hinduism.

Which religion is the best according to you?

Look at the societies they have given birth to. Hinduism produced a horrible caste driven society, where people are trapped in the class they are born into, blamed for it even. I can't take Hinduism very seriously because of this.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Look at the societies they have given birth to. Hinduism produced a horrible caste driven society, where people are trapped in the class they are born into, blamed for it even. I can't take Hinduism very seriously because of this.

I think this is a bit of a reversal. Societies don't tend to get born from religion.. Spirituality is something that evolves along with the societies they come from. Lets not forget that Buddhism coexisted while the caste system was a thing. The Buddha did not condemn the caste system but would take bhikkus from every caste.

However at no point did the Buddha ever say the caste system was wrong at the time. The other thing that is interesting to take note of is that as power was consolidated more and more by the Brahmin caste we eventually got more rules for lower castes and eventually made it so that those others castes had to pay them more reverence. It's not so simplistic and is evolving all the time.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Buddism vs Hinduism.

Which religion is the best according to you?

Mahayana Buddhism, as its ultimate goal - to become a Bodhisattva - is very Christ-like.

 

[firedragon]

Buddism vs Hinduism.

Which religion is the best according to you?

Buddhism is Hinduism.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Buddhism is Hinduism.

I don't think Buddhists would agree with that.

 

[Secret Chief]

I don't think Buddhists would agree with that.

I suspect you're right.

 

[firedragon]

I don't think Buddhists would agree with that.

You are right. Because most Buddhists predominantly live outside India, and their heritage is pretty much local, they will not agree.

But the definition Hinduism is Hindu or regional. And Buddhism was born there, and was always considered a part of Hinduism in India. I am sure you are aware of the huge variance in philosophy within Hinduism, and Buddhism is one.

Yet, if you go to another country like China, Japan or Sri Lanka and tell anyone that Buddhism is Hinduism they might choke you out.

 

[crossfire]

I think this is a bit of a reversal. Societies don't tend to get born from religion.. Spirituality is something that evolves along with the societies they come from. Lets not forget that Buddhism coexisted while the caste system was a thing. The Buddha did not condemn the caste system but would take bhikkus from every caste.

However at no point did the Buddha ever say the caste system was wrong at the time. The other thing that is interesting to take note of is that as power was consolidated more and more by the Brahmin caste we eventually got more rules for lower castes and eventually made it so that those others castes had to pay them more reverence. It's not so simplistic and is evolving all the time.

To support what you said, here is a sutta of Buddha refuting the argument (made by Brahmins at that time) that the Brahmin caste is superior:
Assalayana Sutta: With Assalayana

 

[crossfire]

I like Buddhism because its principles can be employed with any given culture--it is not tied to any one specific culture. (One goal being liberated from cultural maras-- not having your individual mind being overcome by the cultural nomos.)

 

[Nakosis]

Buddism vs Hinduism.

Which religion is the best according to you?

IMO, Buddhism because why worry about Gods?

 

[RestlessSoul]

IMO, Buddhism because why worry about Gods?

That faith in God should be a cause of worry, rather than strength and support, is imo a sad misapprehension, albeit one many religious people make.

 

[Nakosis]

That faith in God should be a cause of worry, rather than strength and support, is imo a sad misapprehension, albeit one many religious people make.

I don't really see what Gods do for you other than provide a relationship that some feel they lack.

 

[crossfire]

I don't really see what Gods do for you other than provide a relationship that some feel they lack.

If gods are sentient beings, they can learn the dharma. If gods are Jungian complexes within your psyche (which behave like their own agents,) then it would behoove you to teach them the dharma.

 

[Nakosis]

If gods are sentient beings, they can learn the dharma. If gods are Jungian complexes within your psyche (which behave like their own agents,) then it would behoove you to teach them the dharma.

If the Gods are sentient, then they can worry about their own enlightenment.
For Jungian complexes, I find Buddhism a practical way to exorcize them.

 

[RestlessSoul]

I don't really see what Gods do for you other than provide a relationship that some feel they lack.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say you don’t see what a God can do for you - which is fair enough. For some of us, having a loving God in our lives is as essential to us as is the breath in our lungs. We all have different needs, and different perspectives.

 

[Nakosis]

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say you don’t see what a God can do for you - which is fair enough. For some of us, having a loving God in our lives is as essential to us as is the breath in our lungs. We all have different needs, and different perspectives.

Fair enough.
As I think I initially said, some need such a relationship.
Buddhism can cover both.

 

[sayak83]

Look at the societies they have given birth to. Hinduism produced a horrible caste driven society, where people are trapped in the class they are born into, blamed for it even. I can't take Hinduism very seriously because of this.

There were always two Hinduisms. One was a identity and ritual centric legalistic religion with hierarchies and the other an egalitarian movement based in spiritual practice and revelation. They both exist still. I am with the latter, not the former.

 

[soulsurvivor]

Buddism vs Hinduism.

Which religion is the best according to you?

Buddhism has less superstition and more clarity while Hinduism has more devotion and passion.

I think Hinduism is best for people who are already born Hindus (like me) otherwise they have to buy into a lot of Indian culture as well as the religion.

Buddhism is easier to adopt for people who are not born into the religion and can do so without any new cultural trappings..

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Buddhism has less superstition and more clarity while Hinduism has more devotion and passion.

I think Hinduism is best for people who are already born Hindus (like me) otherwise they have to buy into a lot of Indian culture as well as the religion.

Buddhism is easier to adopt for people who are not born into the religion and can do so without any new cultural trappings..

I don't think I would say Buddhism has less superstition. I mean you are talking about a religion founded by a guy who claimed to talk to gods , supposedly had magical powers etc. Add this to the long list of beliefs that come with later developments in Buddhism. Tantric Buddhism is full of stories regarding people having mystical powers, spooky gods and a variety of other strange beliefs.

I do think Hinduism has a much stronger Indian and Southern Asian influence but it's not actually that hard to shake off. It's one of those things where finding communities of like minded individuals within a western context is more difficult. Getting to the core of Hindu teachings is sometimes obscured by a thick layer of culture. It's there though and if one is willing to take the time required to get to it they can get to a core of teachings that is far less cultural and much more universal. I think what makes it easier for people to do that with Buddhism is that it's already been done in the west with things like secular Buddhism.

 

[ajay0]

Buddism vs Hinduism.

Which religion is the best according to you?

Swami Vivekananda stated that Buddhism is the 'logical development of the religion of the Hindus.'

Buddhism and buddhist literature helped me to understand the nature of the mind. This helped me understand Hinduism and Jnana yoga better.