(Tutor’s Name)
Indian philosophy is unique for its valuable interpretation of life, soul and rebirth. Doctrines of Bhagavad Gita to a great extent reflect the spiritual insight of Indian philosophy. Gita is also known as Gitopanisad, which is one of the several books of Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. The setting of the Bhagavad Gita is that when Kurukshetra begins (the great battle between Pandavas and Kauravas), the great Pandava warrior Arjuna gets confused with the ethic of fighting against his cousins and relatives. Lord Krishna, his friend and charioteer, clarifies this point to him. Notable one among many interpretations is that work itself is more enjoyable than its result. Result should not be the sole purpose of one’s actions. Journey is more pleasurable than the destination. This concept is of great significance in our daily life, for this advice will help one carry out responsibilities enthusiastically.
Indian philosophy or Hinduism proposes rebirth. In order to understand this concept, one should know the meaning of ‘atman’ and ‘Brahma’. According to this view, soul goes through unending cycle of rebirth. The individual soul is ‘Atman’, and realizing it is the initial step for attaining ultimate freedom. Atman is the individual self whereas Brahma/God is the supreme universal self. Attaining Brahman is the sole aim of the human life. This actualization or salvation is termed as Moksha. However, one cannot easily attain moksha because the law of cause and effect that is Karma determines it. We gather knowledge through our senses, which are highly prone to illusions. We are like in a mirror house, and what we experience here is only an illusion of objectivity. This illusion according to Gita is ‘Maya’. In order for attaining the ultimate goal, one has to escape the bondage of rebirth by practicing Karma (duty) or Yoga (meditation). Goal in Christianity slightly varies from it. Christianity refers to a Heaven where the Father, the God almighty dwells. It is through believing in the Son (Jesus) one is entitled to occupy heaven. And the Holy Spirit, third person in the Trinity drives one in his pursuit to heaven. Like the concept of Gita, Christianity also maintains that nothing in this world is real and permanent, and therefore, performing good deeds is important to achieve the real, permanent happiness. Christianity does not believe in rebirth, instead it believes in the resurrection of the body and soul and life after death.
The word Yoga, according to Gita refers to ‘the system’ that enables interaction between human soul and the Godhead (Easwaran 134). Krsna, the yogesvara is the master of yoga. Yogi means the person who practices Yoga. Bhakthi yoga represents people’s behavior of following very spiritual path in order to join their heart with Brahman to through devotion and to get grace.
“Brahman is the supreme reality; Brahman is neither masculine nor feminine” (Easwaran 268). However, Gods do not refers to supreme almighty. Nrahman is formless (nirguNa Brahman) whereas ‘God’ refers to human perceived forms of God (saguNa Brahman). Krishna and Rama are two examples having god attributes. Monotheism and polytheism co-exists in Hinduism. For instance, when Brahman is referred, it reflects the Hindu form of monotheism whereas when it comes to deities, they jointly work as the part of wheel centered in Brahman. Monism with regard to Hinduism is ‘Yogavasistha ‘that reconciled many competing doctrines like Buddhism and Vedanta. However, if Polytheistic Monism is of any relation to Hinduism is unsure.
The most interesting and thoughtful concept of Hinduism with regard to nature of reality is that what we experience with our senses does not necessarily constitute the objective world. This can only be a mirror view. And, soul is never slain; soul takes and leaves body during its long course of rebirth. The interesting thing about the goal of life is to be one with the Brahman, and this occurs once the soul completes its Karma through rebirths.
Hinduism is a set of religious beliefs and practices of high complexities whereas Buddhism is relatively an organized religion built on a carefully designed doctrine. The origin of Buddhism is highly attributed to the caste system prevailed in India during the Vedic period.
The silence of Buddha has been a topic for wide discussion. Buddha did not respond to many questions those which would not lead to true knowledge. Buddha did not have any God. He said that the idea of God originates from fear. Buddha did not believe that this world is created and maintained by a God. To him, religion meant understanding the true nature of the world and thus escaping from suffering through enlightenment. Dharmakaya, the Sambhoga-kaya, and the Nirmana-kaya are the three bodies of the Buddha. They are collectively known as ‘Trikaya’.
Theravada Buddhism proposes rather ‘rational view of universe’ while the Mahayana discipline presents ‘a metaphysical vision’ (Maguire 45). Theravada admits only the historical Buddha and the past Buddhas whereas Mahayana accepts even contemporary Buddhas. Also, Theravada focuses on self liberation whereas Mahaya also emphasis helping others.
Pure land Buddhism is for those who are unable to practice meditation. It aims at attaining enlightenment through rebirth in the Pure Land (a ‘paradisal form of Nirvana’); and they do not believe in meditation; instead, simply wish to be reborn in the Pure Land by the grace of Amitabha Buddha (Maguire 55). The main aim of Zen Buddhism is to understand the meaning of life. According to this version, everyone is Buddha, and therefore one has to find out the meaning of life. This group gives higher emphasis to mediation and self discipline. Among these two, the latter (Zen Buddhism) seems more appealing to me.
The most significant aspect Buddhism I found insightful to my own spiritual development is its view on the strong association between desire and suffering. I am convinced that desire is the basic cause of all sufferings. Buddhism has the potential to trigger human efforts to escape from the hold of worldly pleasure and suffering.
Works Cited
Easwaran, Eknath. The Bhagavad Gita: : (Classics of Indian Spirituality). India: Nilgiri Press, 2007. Print.
Maguire, Jack. Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices. US: Simon and Schuster, 2013. Print.
