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Buddism vs Hinduism
- Thread starter Starlight
- Start date
Both are very dear to my heart. So I cannot choose. I prefer the positive description of Brahman than the negative description of sunya. But that may be more about taste.
syo
Well-Known Member
Hinduism by far.
syo
Well-Known Member
It has gods.
A religion is a religion is a religion...
Although Buddhism can be seen as a way of life as opposed to a died in the wool religion so i guess you are comparing apples with pears, both are fruit but are different
Secret Chief
Vetted Member
Hinduism. Keep the riff-raff out.
DharmaCatLamp
Member
syo
Well-Known Member
I see. But I like Shiva and Vishnu very much.
DharmaCatLamp
Member
Me being me I have a long answer for this.
The answer depends on what you are looking for on top of which version you are talking about. During the Buddha's day the religion he was mostly dealing with was Brahmanism and other Sramana movements. This includes things like Jainism and various other smaller groups.
The Buddhism taught by the Buddha, at least according to the Pali cannon and other early Buddhist sources is in many ways a reply to the questions surrounding the Buddha at the time.
Modern Buddhism is a combination of early teachings as well as stuff that at least in my opinion has very little to do with what the Buddha taught. The Buddha did not teach the tantric teachings of Vajrayana, nor did he teach the strict doctrine that there is no self. I think a lot of Mahayana can’t really be traced to the Buddha in the form it is practiced now. I think Theravada has the same problem.
SuttaCentral
Just to be clear I don’t get to decide who is and isn’t a Buddhist. That is something people need to decide for themselves. I just must be honest in saying that as far as I can tell a lot of what we call Buddhism was not taught by the Buddha in any way we can really trace back to the Buddha.
It’s a bit more complicated than I think it would first seem. You can get a lot of good out of Buddhism and the various teachings of the dharma. I would also go so far as to say that even the teachings that came later and are not associated directly with the Buddha can be beneficial.
The big thing I think Hinduism has over Buddhism is it is not traced to any single source. If you disagree with the Buddha on something, then one might argue you are not really a Buddhist in the strictest sense. If you disagree with some ancient Hindu sage well Hinduism is so broad that it will include both the sage and the people who disagreed with him or her.
Hinduism is to me a buffet. For people like me who have found a good deal of spiritual insight in multiple traditions Hinduism fits a bit better. I can draw from numerous sources, hold a variety of beliefs, and find my own ways to practice. I can dedicate myself to a single tradition or experiment.
Buddhism ultimately has one major figure you must believe in and follow to at least some degree. That being the Buddha obviously. So, let’s say I find even a single thing that the Buddha and myself disagree on. Am I really a Buddhist if I think the Buddha was wrong about something?
Traditionally you couldn’t disagree with the Buddha and still be considered a Buddhist. Enlightenment meant that the Buddha had discovered ultimate truth one way or another. You might say he had magical powers; you might say he knew everything but ultimately you had to agree he had discovered the truth.
In modern times secular Buddhism has become a thing which allows a bit more wiggle room.
For me personally I think Hinduism as a tradition is stronger and fits better. Heck if I really wanted to, I could even claim that Buddha was an avatar of Vishnu and now include his teachings into my Hindu practice. I might argue it’s kind of weird to call the Buddha an avatar when he himself did not appear to make that claim but hey what are you going to do?
Secret Chief
Vetted Member
Good post. I think the Buddha had a drunken one night stand and the baby was Mahayana.
RestlessSoul
Well-Known Member
stvdv
Veteran Member
Buddha meditating for many years and not having been tempted by celestial damsels and gods, would be a big miracle
Both are great religions, and I'm probably as close to Buddhism as a Hindu can get, but given my knowledge of Self as Brahman, Hinduism is clearly a better fit for me.
Gargovic Malkav
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't want to compare two great religions against each other... I'd rather just enjoy them both for what they are.
I vote 'Hinduism'.
Hinduism has a more complete understanding of metaphysical issues where Buddhism is more concerned with practical things. Enquiring minds like mine like metaphysics.
Buddha is a historical figure thus frozen in time. Hinduism has unlimited teachers espousing new ideas. Like Advaita Vedanta took its current shape centuries after the Buddha.
Hinduism is much about finding your own path given your personal proclivities.
Hinduism has a more complete understanding of metaphysical issues where Buddhism is more concerned with practical things. Enquiring minds like mine like metaphysics.
Buddha is a historical figure thus frozen in time. Hinduism has unlimited teachers espousing new ideas. Like Advaita Vedanta took its current shape centuries after the Buddha.
Hinduism is much about finding your own path given your personal proclivities.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I go for boots on the ground so Buddhism has more practicality imc.
I cannot disparage one and extoll another. That would be Adharmic in my eyes. I prefer Hinduism, just because that’s what I grew up in. But Buddhism has many admirable qualities. And I dare not disrespect the Buddha.
DharmaCatLamp
Member
You know I have seen this idea in a lot of places and I think your post just inspired me to make a post. So thanks for that :3