Background
The paper focuses on the story of two common religions, Buddhism and Hinduism. The cultures of these religions are of great importance, as many people worldwide identify with them. The centuries-old histories of Buddhism and Hinduism provide a basis for examining the formation and development of these two distinct cultures in detail.
I chose these two cultures because I am drawn to stories that teach morality and provide people with opportunities to develop life skills. Many critics and scholars respect the cultures of Buddhism and Hinduism, as they are the sources of much research and deconstruction of complex concepts and beliefs (Sholihin et al. 3). In this way, the chosen cultures can significantly impact a person’s worldview and their thought process.
Buddhism: Origins and Principles
This work was chosen because it demonstrates the complexity and culture of Buddhism, revealing its significance. People should see this drawing, as it demonstrates the culture of Buddhism and can provide insight into it when studied. Sutras are sacred texts in Buddhism that contain teachings and principles. The cornerstone of Buddhism, as described in the sutras, lies in the Four Noble Truths.
These truths encompass suffering, its causes, the end of suffering, and the path that leads to its cessation (Lopez and Donald). The work does not contain problems, as it conveys all the essential aspects that the author intended. The figure is a crucial Amoghasiddhi in the center of the picture, ruling one of the cardinal directions. This work shows Buddhism’s complexity, which is confirmed by the fact that critics attribute it to one of the most essential sources of Buddhism (Raju 4).
Hinduism: A Tapestry of Beliefs
The choice of this work was influenced by the fact that it shows all ten avatars of the god Vishnu, which is significant for the story. Others should view this work as revealing the identity of Vishnu (as per the Upanishads). I encourage people to study it by talking about the importance of Vishnu in Hinduism. The Bhagavad Gita takes its place within the epic Mahabharata, a sacred Hindu scripture (Vyasa). It showcases an exchange between Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, the main principle of Hinduism is the concept of Dharma, which refers to the duty or righteous path that an individual must follow to achieve spiritual liberation (Easwaran). The key idea in the work is to demonstrate all the guises of Vishnu, which shows the versatility of the culture itself. Critics argue that this painting is relevant and important for studying Hinduism since Vinshu is one of the main gods (Gamalath 2).
Similarities Between the Two Religions
The ancient origins of Hinduism can be traced back to the enigmatic Vedas, written between 1500 and 500 BCE, while the dawn of Buddhism as an independent faith dawned in India during the 5th century BCE (Flood 72). Though Buddhism bears the subtle echoes of Hindu influences, it ventures on a unique path, diverging profoundly in its convictions and rituals.
A notable example is Buddhism’s defiance of the caste system, a cornerstone of Hinduism, and its profound emphasis on individual enlightenment over devotion to deities (Hüsken 99). This dynamic propelled Hinduism to rank as the third-largest religion globally, embracing over 1 billion devoted souls. At the same time, Buddhism holds a majestic place as the fourth-largest religion, with more than 500 million followers (Gellner et al. 34).
References
Easwaran, Eknath. The Bhagavad Gita. Nilgiri Press, 2007.
Flood, Gavin. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Hinduism. John Wiley and Sons, 2022.
Gamalath, Dananjaya. “A study of the god Upulvan and Vishnu.” Global Scientific Journal, vol. 9, no. 9, 2021, pp. 1624-1649. Web.
Gellner, David N., et al. Religion, Secularism, and Ethnicity in Contemporary Nepal. Oxford UP, 2020.
Hüsken, Ute. Laughter, Creativity, and Perseverance: Female Agency in Buddhism and Hinduism. Oxford UP, 2022.
Lopez, and Donald. Buddhist Scriptures. Penguin UK, 2004.
Raju, Gautami. “The portrayal of the Buddhist healing goddess Parnasabari.“ n. d. Web.
Sholihin, Muhammad, et al. “The effect of religiosity on life satisfaction: A meta-analysis.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, vol. 78 no. 4, 2022, pp. 1-10. Web.
The British Library. Vishnu and his ten avatars. n. d. Web.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Buddha Amoghasiddhi with Eight Bodhisattvas. n. d. Web.
The Upanishads. 500 BCE.
Vyasa. The Mahabharata. 1989.