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Buddhism And Nirvana Similarities

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Buddhism and Hinduism share many similarities. One such similarity is Samsara, the perpetual cycle of rebirth, which is often characterized by suffering and sorrow. In both religions, this unending rotation is seen as dangerous, and, although many people attempt to gain good karma in order to achieve wealth or social prosperity in the next life, there are others who try to escape this cycle by reaching enlightenment. Although labelled differently, one of the main goals associated with both Buddhist nirvana and Hindu moksha involves freeing oneself from the cycle reincarnation and moving on to attain salvation. This paper will examine Hindu moksha and Buddhist nirvana by comparing the similarities and contrasting the differences of attaining …show more content…

“…through nirvana the Buddha entered the state of bliss, marking his freedom from suffering and rebirth” (Yusuf, 2009, 378). This ‘bliss’ is said to be attained through knowledge. The original Buddha claimed to have discovered the fundamental problem with the human condition: that nothing is everlasting. He also stated that this ‘awakening’ is what led to freedom from samsara. Others attempt to follow the example of the Buddha, using his story and written testaments, or sutras, as spiritual guides to redemption, that is, nirvana. “Nirvana literally means being above all worldly desires’” (Kaewthep, 2007, 226). In most religions the concept of sacrifice is essential to attaining salvation; this is true for reaching nirvana also. One must forsake all worldly pleasures and live a humble life in order to gain the understanding of the impermanence of the world in order to reap the benefits of …show more content…

Although both have a ‘this world’ orientation whereby individuals focus on the betterment of themselves in this life because they need to achieve salvation on earth, the process of this achievement seems to differ between religions. “To achieve moksha, the individual must avoid the accumulation of any karma, good or bad, because it is karma that affects the transmigration of the soul.” (Hodge, 2004, 30). Karma is a product of an individual’s deeds while trapped in samsara; the type of karma one acquires in their life is said to affect what kingdom they will be born into in the next life: the heavens, the human realm, the animal realm or the underworlds. One cannot acquire any karma because they do not want to be reborn in any of these worlds, but the uncreated world of the creator. As stated previously, The Paths of Devotion, Works and Knowledge are the routes to achieving

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