Hinduism & Buddhism
By: Shana Perez
India has two religions!
In India, the most amazing subcontinent, has two main religions, Hinduism and Buddhism! Well, what is Hinduism? Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, which means Hindus believe in many gods! Also Hinduism has lots of things to believe in. What about Buddhism? Buddhism was created by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism spread all over India! They have some differences, but also have some things in common.
Hinduism
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Many people are starting to believe in it. The caste system divides people into different places depending on birth, wealth, and occupation. Untouchables aren't in the caste and you can not get near them. They're treated badly and have bad jobs. The Varnas were the Sudras, workers and servants, Vaisyas, the farmers, crafts people, and traders, Kshatriyas, rulers and warriors, and the Brahmins are the priests. Hindus believe in reincarnation, which is life of rebirth. If you die, you'll be turned into something else and go to another caste based on your Karma. Good karma will give you good luck and reach a higher caste to make your soul one with Brahama. Bad karma will give you bad luck and put you in a lower caste. Your goal, as a Hindu, is to reach Brahama!
Buddhism
Once there was a prince named Siddhartha Gautama. He believed in Hinduism but he didn't like his life of being a Hindu. He began asking questions about, "What is life?'' At age 30, he left his home to find the answers to his question. He searched all over India to find them. He didn't like the answers he got. One day he meditated under a tree near the Ganges River for 7 weeks. He finally found the answers! He found out people were suffering because of their want of material things. He called his new religion, Buddhism! People called him ''The Buddha,'' which means the enlightened one. Buddhism started to spread all over India after Siddhartha's death. A man named Asoka helped to spread Buddhism as well. The Four Noble Truths and The Eight Fold Path was created. It teaches you about good things to do in life, so you can achieve the Eight Fold Path and reach Nirvana. Now Buddhism is a famous religion and still practiced today!
What do these religions have in common?
Let's see, Buddhism and Hinduism are so different, but what do they have in common? They are both religions formed in India, and deal with nature. For example, they used flowers for meditating. Buddhism and Hinduism both use reincarnation to help their soul reach peace.
Hinduism and Buddhism are cool right?! The way of Indian life seems a very hard way to live. Maybe Buddhism is better than Hinduism. What do you think? They are still famous today, and Indians believe in Hinduism or Buddhism. Religions can be all over the world. What's yours?