World Religons; Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and most earthly religions are all very similar, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. I think that all of these religions are so similar because they all focus around the same thing, that after life is a paradise, but if you don’t reach it you can try again. I believe that all of these religions were created by man, as a reason for giving themselves hope and motivation to make it through another day, and that many people wanted this so badly, that they started to believe what they knew was a lie.

                Though Hinduism and Buddhism are very similar there are some minute differences. The greatest of differences between both religions is that Hinduism believes in gods, such as Brahman and Shiva, where as Buddhism does not believe in any gods. Another of their differences is that Hinduism practiced the Caste system, a social hierarchy, and Buddhists think all people are equal. The smallest of the differences is that Buddhists do not perform animal sacrifices, and Hinduism believes they need to sacrifice animals for their gods. The differences between these beliefs are so small, and the similarities are enormous, these religions are practically identical.

                Hinduism and Buddhism both share many similarities that are mainly focused around the belief of life after death. Both religions are focused on reaching a higher plane of existence after life, referred to as being with Brahman or in Nirvana. They both believe that until they reach Nirvana or Brahman, they will continue to be reincarnated, and being reborn after death. Also, Hinduism and Buddhism believe that their place in reincarnation will be determined by their Karma, or quantity of good or bad actions.

                On another note, religion to me is a way of conveying hope. Almost all religions offer people a better life and promise that tomorrow is going to be okay, even if they won’t be on earth. I think this is because people create their religions in search of hope, assurance, and knowing that everything will be okay. I think that eventually, people start to want this so badly, that they start to believe what they tell themselves, even if they know it isn’t true. To me religion is just a way for people to calm themselves down, and give them motivation to make it through the day.

Hinduism and Buddhism are the most similar religion we currently know of, but they do have some, few, distinctions. Also I believe religion, including these religions, is just a method, invented by man, to convey hope and motivation through out their lives. I believe that Hinduism and Buddhism are so similar because they were both thought of for the same reasons, to convey that hope and motivation that we all long so much for. The belief in a higher plane, reincarnation, and all the other principles that Hinduism and Buddhism share were created because they gave people hope.