Buddhism

[Guest guest]

Hey,

 

I am a westerner who has recently discovered Buddhism. I was just wondering if you guys could outline the main differences between Hinduism and Buddhism!

 

Also is 'God' a think that can be communicated with, or is it an entity that is in all of us?

 

With Metta

[Guest guest]

I am a westerner who has recently discovered Buddhism. I was just wondering if you guys could outline the main differences between Hinduism and Buddhism

--buddhism teachs that the absolute reality is the "non existence"... vedic religion says that absolute exists

 

Also is 'God' a think that can be communicated with, or is it an entity that is in all of us?

--both things... god has all the features and possibilities,he's omnipotent

[maadhav]

it is an off shoot of hinduism,

and is atheistic.

for buddhist there is no god.

they follow the teachings of buddha.

 

Still we recognize buddha as an incarnation of god/krishna.

but we do not follow buddhism.

most of it is already is a part of hinduism.

 

buddha's coming was preidcted,

in the vedic literature, and he came.

 

[Guest guest]

Buddhists do not believe in the Atman. Hindus do. That's the essential difference, I think.

 

There are atheistic forms of Hinduism as well, and mahayana Buddhism closely correlates with advaita Hinduism.

[Guest guest]

the buddha was compassion personified. renouncing great pleasures he found out that the cause for sorrow was rooted in man's desire.

 

he effectively laid out the path to conquer desire and attain nirvana. he never proclaimed himself to be god nor did he believe in any...NOR DID HE CONDEMN ANY GOD OR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN GOD.

 

all he said was 'be a light unto yourselves".

 

hinduism believes in two great modes of thought...dvaita and advaita.

 

dvaita means a relative existence of god and man , where the godhead is worshipped and adored by man in principle and form.

 

advaita means a realisation of unity of god and man and everything else...there is no diversity...only one exists which through the veil of 'maya" (illusion) appears many.

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your replies!!

 

I would love to get to know more about Hinduism and its beliefs, it seams a very loving and warm religion.

 

I personally believe that there might be a physical essence that we are all part of, but I don't think that it is in any form, so therefore there is no point in praying etc! The answer is within!

 

 

[imported_servegod]

the answer is within, but is covered by material energy. In order to break free, we must engage in devotional service to God.

 

One thing is for sure, we cannot become part of God, as in become equal to God, for that would mean that God can be affected by illusion. It is illogical.

 

God does have a formless aspect, but the soul's nature is to be blissful. God is a personality as confirmed by the word bhagavan = possessor of all opulences. The possessor is a personality and we have an eternal relationship with him. That relationship will give us bliss alongside eternity and knowledge.

 

The formless aspect only gives us eternity and knowledge. There is no soul to relate with, therefore we are unable to experience unlimited bliss in the formless stage. This is why the formless aspect is not the ultimate goal.