Even though Humanity does not depend upon religion but religion being the most important resort in life, has to teach humanity though its prayers or mythology. Both, Hinduism and Buddhism are full of such soul uplifting messages and teachings. Here we will see how these religions are guiding human life towards humanity.
Humanity cannot be defined in single definition. Different cultures, different religions even different individuals have different understanding of Humanity. For some feeding a destitute is an act of humanity, for others enabling that destitute to feed himself or his family is act of humanity. The simplest definition of humanity could be the quality of being human. Different religions across the world say same thing. They would ask followers to search for God inside them and not outside. Some say God is everywhere.
Humanity according to Hinduism and Buddhism
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world today. Its roots describes that initial religious scriptures of Hinduism were not written but bestowed by God to the human. Scriptures, such as Vedas and Upanishads, on which basic morals and living of followers of Hinduism are founded. Hinduism has been guiding light to other religions also. You can easily find traces of Hinduism and the language of God ‘Sanskrit’ in other religions and culture also. Although the concept of God is very complex according to Hinduism and also its beliefs span from monotheism, polytheism, monism, pantheism to say the few. Sometimes Hinduism is considered henotheistic also, which means belief in one God along with consideration towards existence of other God also. This shows openness of Hinduism as a religion.
Buddhism on the other hand is arrived out of Hinduism only. Gautama Buddha, the enlightened one, who was a prince, desired and achieved renunciation to enlighten the self in his search of the ultimate truth of life. After him only the religion ‘Buddhism’ took form. Learning’s of Buddhism is not very different from Hinduism. Both share similar concepts related to birth, performance of work (Karma) and abiding by the morals (dharma).
Although there are similar interpretation and concept of Humanity in both Hinduism and Buddhism, but somewhere they differ also. According to Hinduism, human is the highest being of the creation, soul never dies or take birth, it just changes body like an individual changes clothes. As said by god himself in one of the greatest Hindu scripture ‘Bhagwat Geeta’. According to the scripture, a man must abide by morals set for the life, when a man do not follow the morals, he become a threat to entire mankind and thus either be punished or eliminated. As according to Hinduism, these morals as based on Humanity only and must be followed for a good life. Similarly, Buddhism also emphasizes on following these sacred morals or dharma set for life by Gods and asks followers to abide by these humane morals. These morals of Buddhism are not totally different from Hinduism but are simple derivation of them only. Based on these morals both Hinduism and Buddhism asks follower to perform regular functions of life called as karma.
Performance of life according to dharma, (dharma in Buddhism) or moral rules, men adheres to humanity. Hence in both Hinduism and Buddhism both Dharma and Karma has been given great importance to stay on the path of humanity.
The sacred scripture tells us that in order to keep human abide by these humane morals, God himself takes birth to restore humanity many a times. God punishes those who are not following these morals and establish those who abide by them on the ruler ship. Hinduism has accepted violence as a resort to teach humane morals to evils, on the other hand there is no story in history of Buddhism that hints use of violence. Gautama Buddha himself turned evils to the path of morals by using his will and belief in humanity. On the other hand Hinduism is full of war stories and violent narratives though which God incarnations have destroyed evils or immoral.
Another concept that is widely accepted by followers of these both religions is the simple ‘law of karma’. This law states that whatever a person sows, so shall he reap. This simple law of karma has great teachings of humanity endowed within. It makes follower belief that they have to abide by morals of humanity and observe humanity all their life, and then only they will receive goods in life. Their good and humane deeds will make their life the way they ever wanted. Bad deeds or inhumane deeds will just destroy their life.
Conclusion
Every religion whether it is Christianity, Judaism, Islam or others, they emphasize on following humanity only. But Hinduism and Buddhism have their roots in Humanity. The laws and morals of both of these religions are based on humane foundations and they teach followers to lead a life of humanity through their moral and uplifting mythology. Being one of the oldest religions, Hinduism has been the foundation of humanity in the world. Buddha went out on the expedition of enlightenment only after encountering inhumane deeds and later spread his message of love and compassion through Buddhism.
References
1. International Gita Society (2010). Science and Sprituality. Retrieved from web. http://www.gita-society.com/
2.
Buddhist studies (2011). Introduction to Buddhism. Retrieved from web. http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/intro_bud.htm
