Mr Essay Research Paper Buddhism over JainismHinduism

Mr Essay, Research Paper

Buddhism over Jainism

Hinduism offers little hope for salvation. Although salvation is possible in

Hinduism, the margin for error is so small, that it is almost impossible to ever be released

from the wheel and achieve moksha. With that in mind the hunt for a new religion begins.

The two options laid before me are Jainism and Buddhism. Both religions will be

compared and a the better of the two religion will prevail. Although both religions have

many followers, it is necessary when confronting an issue as large and expansive as

religion beliefs to go into grave detail when examining and comparing the available

options. Jainism and Buddhism both have many great aspects that make each religion a

worthy candidate. Although both religions have great aspects, one religion is clearly the

winner in my heart. For many factors that will be discussed later, Buddhism is my new

choice for spiritualism.

Hinduism offers little hope to it.s followers. It is based on a rigid caste

classification system of which people are born into. The caste system offers little to no

upward mobility and an even smaller amount of hope for the people to ascent through the

caste system. Hinduism relies heavily upon it.s traditions and rituals as a means of

worship and salvation. These duties and places in the caste system are described in detail

in the law of Manu. .The Law of Manu is more explicit concerning the duties of the four

varna. It specifies particular occupations for each of the four social groups, which are

seen as being divinely ordained. For the growth of the worlds, (Brahman) created

Brahmanas (Brahmins or priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders) and Shudras

(manual workers) from his face, arms, thighs, and feet respectively.(Hopfe, 84). These

caste assignments are non-negotiable and are engraved in the fabric of Indian culture. If a

person leads an exemplary life in their given section of the caste system, the best that

person has to look forward to is to be re-incarnated into a higher section of the caste

system. That very rarely happens, if ever. With that in mind the search for a new religion

begins.

Both of the religions have great qualities that make up a desirable religion. .Both

Jainism and Buddhism rejected the sacrifice system taught in the Vedas. Both taught that

one achieved release from life not by offering sacrifices to the gods or by any form of

worship but through accomplishments in one.s own life. Both rejected the Vedas as

sacred scripture, and both taught that anyone of any caste who lived properly might find

release..(Hopfe, 87) Both Jainism and Buddhism taught that all forms of life were sacred

and were to be loved and preserved whenever possible (ahisma). This belief contradicted

the ritualistic sacrifices to the gods of Hinduism. The most important aspect in the

transition from Hinduism to either Jainism or Buddhism is the belief that salvation and

release is not achieved from ritualistic practices or other forms of worship, it is achieved

through personal accomplishment and hard work and dedication. Anyone who lived a

good moral life and who was focused and dedicated could achieve moksha, the release

from re-incarnation, regardless of caste position. Jainism and Buddhism offer hope for

members of the lower castes. This is a reason for the increased popularity and the easily

spread word of Buddhism and Jainism. Both religions have great aspects. The

foundations of practice of the two religions are very different.

Jainism is is a religion born out of suffrage. .Jainism taught that one found release

from life through asceticism. The more one denied pleasures and satisfactions to the body,

the more likely that person was to achieve freedom from the endless cycle of birth and

rebirth..(Hopfe, 87) Jainists believe the body is evil and to deny the body to the realm of

pleasure is the primary means for salvation. This is the most important aspect of Jainism

and consequently, the most prominent aspect of Jainism that led me to Buddhism.

The foundation for Jainism is extreme asceticism. To deny the body of all

pleasures is looked upon as a means for salvation. Asceticism for me is not a means for

salvation. It was tried by Siddhartha Gautama and did not yield any benefit. The trials of

Gautama will be discussed later. My own conclusion is asceticism hurts the body without

yielding any spiritual benefits. Without the right frame of mind, it can be seen as just a

way of torturing the body. Asceticism is not a means of salvation. It is a slow and painful

way to die.

The perfect life for a Jain might be to do nothing all day long while depriving the

body of all pleasure. .All living beings owe their present form of existence to their own

Karma; timid, wicked, suffering latent misery, they err about (in the circle of births),

subject to birth, old age and death..(Hopfe, 117) Jaini

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