The Founding And Spread Of Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, And Hinduism

Buddhism began in India; it was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a prince, born in Nepal. Siddhartha Gautama wandered around for awhile acting like a beggar to figure out why it was that

While the Western World is largely familiar with elements surrounding the spread of Christianity, these people are inclined to ignore that Buddhism came to experience a similar progression in the East. Beginning approximately five centuries before Christianity, Buddhism emerged as an ideology contrasting harsher Hindu laws and made it possible for people to understand that it was actually necessary for them to follow a Middle Path in order to achieve Enlightenment. In spite of the fact that the religion spread rapidly through its land of birth, it generally came to receive lesser appreciation in India while more and more countries to the East began to express interest in the concepts that it put across.

In Kevin Riley’s article “From Tribal to Universal”, him and several other historians argue that religious traditions emerge within and through traditions and beliefs that already exist. These new religions borrow from, adapt, and reject older traditions. Their ideas along with beliefs, can often be traced back and connected to multiple existing systems of belief. The documents collected in “Tribal to Universal Religion” help us understand and analyze the relationships between various religions, some of which did not originate in the same place, and their common ideas. Kevin Riley is surely right about religions borrowing from, adapting, and rejecting older traditions. This idea is clearly seen through the creation of Buddhism and Christianity.

Those who are raised within one religious tradition may find it difficult to understand the traditions of another religion. It is not until one is educated in the basics of the other major world religions, that it is possible to see the many similarities between them. Just as there are many similarities between the countries culturally, the major religions share more things than they are different. In viewing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism with an open mind, it is easy to see the differences, similarities and ideals that make these religions as widespread as they are.

Buddhism began with a man, his name was Siddhartha Gautama. They say that Siddhartha was barely man, he was not a god or supernatural being, but as they say he was an exceptional man who underwent an extraordinary experience. In a nut shell he opened his eyes or “woke up” and saw human life in it full condition, and to the meaning of transcending it. From here on forward he got the name “Buddha”.

A Yiddish Proverb states, ?Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough, but not baked in the same oven? and could easily be used to describe three religions of this world. The third, fourth, and eighth largest religions when ranked by membership numbers are Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism and their individual beliefs are different which will be explored; however, these same three religions rank one, two, and three in the nontheistic religions that do not focus on belief in gods?the one area that all three are the same.

Buddhism is a very intricate religion that originated in east India over 2400 years ago by the original Buddha Siddhartha Gautama. His teachings were embraced and spread almost instantly because of its promise of enlightenment and Nirvana.

The man who started Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama. He was a very wealthy man who was discontent with the amount of materialism influenced his life at the time(The

Buddhism originated in a particular place at a particular time, and its roots are in forms and beliefs that were part of the environment in which it advanced. Queen Maya begins the story when she dreams about a white elephant and how she will have a son that will either be a great king or a great religious leader. Many books describe this sense a little different. Kinnard explains how Siddhartha Gautama was born and got up and walked towards the way of a great religious leader. A few weeks later his mother had died and his father wanted to make sure that Siddhartha Gautama would be the next great king and made him believe that there was only on life and that was the palace life. When Siddhartha Gautama grew up and told his driver to take him to the park. He made four trips and saw different things in each trip. The first trip he saw old age and ask if that would happen to him. The next trip he saw sickness and again asked if that would happen to him. Then on his next trip he saw a corpse and again asked if that would happen to him. His driver answered yes to all of these and explained how it would happen to everyone. The last and final trip he saw a man with a shaved head and an orange rob, Siddhartha ask why that man looked different from everyone else. The driver explained how he has gone forth which means going through religious life.

Karma affects the self, or soul, in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism religions and these religions have similar beliefs but each has their own interpretation of how karma affects the self of someone. Humans’ relationship with nature plays a significant role in Indigenous, Daoism, and Shinto religions. The Confucian virtues of Ren, Five Great Relationships, Li, Tian, and Yin and Yang all explain certain beliefs of Confucianism in different ways of life.

Of the five major world religions, the two birthed from the loins of Southern Asia thousands of years ago couldn’t be of a greater dissimilarity. Many believe a religion must focus on a deity and committed worship of that figure, like Hinduism. However, some consider it as more of a spiritual path to self-realization than simply focusing on a certain ethereal being, like Buddhism. Through such practices we are able to gain a greater understanding of each religion.

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world. It was founded in India over two hundred thousand years ago by Siddhartha Gautama (later known as the Buddha). Siddhartha, a prince, was born in a place called Lumino in Northern India. According to the story, as a child Siddhartha “was raised in the lap of luxury, with fine clothes, white umbrellas for shade, perfumes, cosmetics, a mansion for each season, the company of female musicians and a harem of dancing girls” (Living Religions, Pg. 138), however with a life of ease, he was not convinced of its value. “Channa, for countless ages I have enjoyed sensual objects of sight, sound, color, flavor, and touch, in all their varieties; But they have not made me happy…Realizing this, I will embark on the raft of dharma, which is steadfast, endowed with the range of austerities, good conduct, equanimity, effort, strength, and generosity” (The Life of The Buddha, Pg. 89). Siddhartha then decided to follow this spiritual path away from his lavish lifestyle. From there, Siddartha rose to become the “Awakened One,” or better known today as “Buddha.” Another quote that speaks volumes of

Buddhism originated 2,500 years ago in India and today – is the prevailing world religion in the East. There are more than 360 million followers of Buddhism, including one million American followers. Buddhism has branched into a diverse selection of forms throughout its long history, however, all methods of Buddhism share an admiration for the teachings of Buddha with the ultimate focus on ending suffering (Religionfacts.com, 2015). In the 6th century BC, Siddhartha or Gautama Buddha was born in a royal family in the hills of the Himalayas. Prince Siddhartha was constantly in search of the origin of all sufferings and the path to end these sufferings. Practicing powerful meditation and freeing his mind from disturbing thoughts –

The rise and spread of Buddhism brought about many radical changes throughout Asia. This included many new styles and inspirations for Asian art. The influence of Buddhism affected many art forms, particularly sculptures and architecture. For those who adopted Buddhism, it became a way a life, it changed the way they wanted to live. This in turn, influenced the artistic aspect of life in Asia. This can be easily shown in several art pieces, such as the Lion Capital, the Bull Capital, as well as architectural designs in the building of the Great Stupa.

Hinduism and Buddhism are both main religions in Ancient India, both share similar beliefs, but have many differences as well. The relationship between both religion is similar to those of Christianity and Judaism. Buddha was born into the Hindu tradition, similar to how Jesus was born into the Jewish faith. Both religions have goals of teaching happiness and have similar backgrounds and beliefs. Some argue that Buddhism is just another type of Hinduism, but others argue that Buddhism became large in India because of those trying to seek happiness in a society in a caste system. In all, Buddhism and Hinduism are both very two religions despite their commonalities.