In Buddhism, Karma denotes those actions that are deliberately done and would result in future consequences (Kessler, Gary, 20). The action has to be intentional and if forged through the body, mind and speech of an individual. Karma in Buddhism is completely defined by intention and lives in an individual’s subconscious mind for a long time until the consequences are manifested. Buddhists believe that rebirth is the cycle of life and death. It is fostered by things such as hatred, lack of knowledge and human desires. Karma is what determines the state and cycle of rebirth of a person. Karma in Hinduism is different because it does not put emphasis on the aspect of intention. It is an action that proportionately causes a reaction, which has a direct relationship with the subconscious part of a person. They also believe it to be fate. In addition, Hindus believe in group Karma that can affect individuals of the same race and other communal affiliations. Rebirth to them is something that is looked at from a positive angle. Buddhists consider it as something that will happen so that one can feel the consequences of their actions again, while Hindus see rebirth as an opportunity for the followers to become better humans. It is a chance for a Hindu to learn and become a worthy being.
Hinduism can be classified as being monotheistic. The religion has many gods, for sure, but the gods are ranked and worshiped in different meanings. They believe that all the Gods are centered on one that has a higher authority that all the rest. They believe in the highest Bhagavan. They do not worship all their gods equally as is the case with polytheism.
The cosmological argument seeks to explain the existence of all things through the argument that all things have a cause for their existence. God has, therefore, been linked to the existence of things. It is centered on the principle of sufficient reason that stipulates that everything needs an explanation (Molloy, Michael, 5). An ontological argument is premised on reason. The difference is that it reasons that a great God existing is more possible than him not being there. In this sense, what is greater, naturally, ought to exist as opposed to not existing. It does not concentrate on why things exist, but how God, being the perfect being, must exist.
Legalism in the Islam context is what helps to shape the religion. It is definitive of the religious codes by which Muslims are implored to abide. The Islamic laws put in place contribute to the definition of how people behave, and the virtues that Muslims possess at the end of the day. It reinforces the teaching in the Quran and gives meaning to the life that a Muslim is supposed to lead. It is similar to Sacramentalism in the Catholic Church in that manner. Sacramentalism defines how Catholics behave and is viewed as the Holy part of their beings that is supposed to influence or dictate their behavior. The difference in the two is that legalism is devoid of the aspect of spiritualism. It only stipulates what is good and bad. Sacraments in Catholics are symbolic of the spiritual lives that people are expected to live.
Moksha and Nirvana are the same in the sense that they both believe in the cycle of life and death, which can be broken. They are both believe in the freedom that is achieved when an individual breaks free from samsara. They also believe that the freedom can be found through practice and meditation. The difference comes in with the aspect of Atman. Moksha is mostly associated with Atman in which Nirvana enthusiasts do not believe. Also, Moksha is attained when an individual has the wealth, which is not the case with Nirvana. Furthermore, Nirvana does not embrace consciousness or the self. Moksha encompasses knowledge liberation and individuals’ acceptance of the self.
Yoga serves the purpose of harmonizing a person with the self so as to create wholeness. It blocks out all the activities of the mind and brings unity with aspects of nature and the spirit to help an individual become whole. Yoga exists in different forms because it seeks to provide healing and other different spiritual functions. People need healing and wholeness in various needs. For instance, Ananda Yoga controls breathing and fuels the brain with the energy required for meditation. The meditation is what will help in the togetherness of the self and spirit. Bikram Yoga is more concentrated on fitness, strength in muscles and weight so as to provide balance.
The meditation done in Theravada is calm and involves speaking with the inner self while the one in Mahayana is more of chanting. Another difference is that in Theravada, Bodhisattvas must be spiritually enlightened before freeing individuals that are stuck in the samsara, but Mahayana gives them absolute power. Also, Theravada emphasizes that while Mahayana is concentrated on Bodhisattva and its prominent role.
One of the practices of Sufis is the recital of poems. They also practice recital of hymns and special literature that has a history with them. Moreover, they practice body rituals, more profoundly known as the Whirling Dervishes. Meditation is also among their dailies. They believe in the union between the individual and God. Such union is achieved through the practice of meditation. They also believe that individuals can control their self in a psychological process and through the nourishment from things such as poetry writing and recital. Sufis believe in celibacy because it keeps the body pure, which is essential for the unit with God.
Sunnis believe that the Imams in the Islam religion are practically sinless in nature. They, therefore, have to be exalted above all else. They believe Imams are designated with authority that is directly from God. As a result, they perform rituals on the tombs of Imams and build shrines on them. Shias, in opposition, believe that Muslim spiritual leaders should not be placed into categories and venerated based on that. They, therefore, practice routine worship that is centered on God as and do not consider Imams worthy of that kind of worship. Also, Shias practice temporary marriages where individuals are allowed to have sex outside marriage. Sunnis, or in the very least degree a majority of them, have high regard for marriage and believe it to be the only, if not, most imperative basis for sexual encounters. The political difference of the belief in the lineage of Mohammed being suitable for leadership has been identified as a significant difference in the two.
One characteristic of religion is the emphasis on the character of individuals. All religions have stressed the importance of behavior and how one is to carry themselves. The behavior is defined by good and evil deeds. There is always some form of incentive or reward for those who do goods and consequences for the latter. Also, albeit with varying degrees and differences, all religions believe in the concept of the afterlife. There is something that has to happen when a person dies. In one way or another, the afterlife concept is definitive of what a religion entails. Besides that, there is a being (s) that is or are beyond human comprehension and power. A religion must have such for it to be complete. There has to be a symbol of reverence. Furthermore, religion incorporates rituals, practices and things that make it identifiable and unique. There is also a point of reference, for instance, the bible in Christianity, in religion.
Works cited
Kessler, Gary E. Studying Religion: An Introduction Through Cases. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2008. Print.
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change / Michael Molloy. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2013. Print.
