Comparison of Hinduism and Buddhism

Of the Eastern religions, Hinduism and Buddhism are the largest. The purposes of this paper will be to describe each of these religions while pointing out their similarities and differences. In addition, some of the modern-day issues surrounding the religions also will be discussed.

Fifteen hundred years before Christ, Hinduism, the oldest of the world's major religions, took root ("Religion, The Different ...." 8). Unlike many other religions, the Hindu faith is not the result of one leader's teachings. It was born and nurtured over thousands of years by the peoples and cultures of India, starting in North India where Caucasian colonizers from Persia and Afghanistan settled in the Indus Valley and became known as Hindus. The term "Hindu" was first applied to these people by the invading Muslims in the 8th century and means "inhabitants of the 'land beyond the Indus River.'" (Hinnells 149). This term was later used to identify their beliefs as well. Today, about three-quarters of India's people, 600 million, are Hindus ("Religion" 8).

The original Hindus, whose language was Sanskrit, found expression in religion through an unconventional form. Through meditation and gathering to talk about the purposes of life and its mysteries, some received great insight and became like prophets of the Old Testament. It was their teachings that were passed down, generation to generation.

Hinduism, also found outside India in countries to which Hindus have migrated such as Ba

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Category: Philosophy - C