Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS 2
Dharmic Religions

Focus Hinduism Theravada Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism

Background and History Background and History Background and History
● Oldest and most complex of ● A result of the division in ● Mahayana Buddhism’s origins
all world religions Buddhist communities within are not fully known. The
Origin
● Most active religions within the 4th century BCE specific time or place of the
Hinduism may have started ● It is one of the oldest and tradition is unknown.
~6th century BCE most orthodox religions However, it is theorized that it
○ MHowever, themes and ● This school of Buddhism developed between multiple
elements of Hinduism have remained closest to the places over time.
been present since 3rd original teachings of Buddha ● It is acknowledged as
century BCE ○ His teachings are seen as a originating from India and
tool to help understand spread across Asia. Now, it is
Etymology truth recognized as the
● Hinduism has no known ● It is the only school of predominant form of
founder pre-Mahayana Indian Buddhism in East Asian
● Hindu = “river” (Persian) Buddhism that has survived Countries
○ used to refer to the people until the present day ● Scholars have theorized that
of the Indus Valley Mahayana Buddhism was
● Hinduism was given in the Etymology initially developed by lay
nineteenth century to ● The name originates from Pali, people who wanted to make
describe the belief systems in and literally translates to “the Buddhism for everybody
India doctrine of elders”
● Originally known as Arya ○ This is referring to the senior Etymology
Dharma or the Aryan Way Buddhist monks ● Mahayana = “Greater
● vada = the doctrine Vehicle” in Sanskrit

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 Geography ● thera = the elders Geography
● Thriving civilizations in India in ● Initially from India, Mahayana
3000 BCE include Punjab and Geography Buddhism spread throughout
Mohenjo-Daro ● It is mostly found in Sri Lanka, Asia and is now found as the
○ very little is known about Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, main form of Buddhism in the
their belief system and Myanmar countries of Tibet and East
● Customs of Hinduism are ● It is also known as Southern Asia.
believed to be originating Buddhism ● However, in modern times,
from the early people of the ● Theravada, itself, has been the West has developed an
Indus Valley influenced by the cultural interest in the practices of
○ Knowledge of pre-Aryan beliefs of the countries it is Mahayana, particularly the
belief can be seen from present in Tibetan practices and Zen.
statues and amulets as well
as images of fertility gods
and goddesses
● Once the Aryans moved to
the Indus Valley, their beliefs
slowly incorporated itself into
the religion of the natives.
Thus, this created Classical
Hinduism.
Sacred Texts Theravada Life To become Self-less
● Passed down via music, ● Followers are expected to ● The morality of Mahayana
recitation, dance, and drama “abstain from all kinds of evil, Buddhists adheres to two
Morality
● Sanskrit = language of the and to accumulat all that is concepts:
earliest writings good to purify their mind.” ○ Prajna (wisdom)
● Divided into two classes, the ● The code of ethics which ○ Karuna (compassion)
shruti and the smriti Theravada Buddhist follow is ● To achieve the goal of
Shruti called Pancasilani, or the Five Bodhisattva, one must realize
● “that which is heard” Principles that no individual has a self.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 ● Verbally passed from the ○ These principles promote ○ They must not set
beginning to the present age and aim to regulate the themselves apart from
until they were written down behavior of the mind others. Thus, they
● Vedas ● The Five Principles are as acknowledge that their
○ Veda = knowledge or follows: liberation is not distinct from
sacred lore ○ Abstaining from murder others.
○ oldest scripture of Hinduism ○ Abstaining from theft ○ They are “self-less”, helping
○ Four basic books ○ Abstinence from wrong them realize the essence of
■ Samhitas sexual behavior all things so that they may
■ Brahmanas ○ Abstaining from the wrong treat all beings without
■ Upanishads speech discrimination
■ Sutras ○ Abstinence from addictive
Smriti substances such as alcohol
● “that which has been and drugs
remembered” ● These observance of these is
● Smriti reiinforces the Shruti based on the principles of
with interpretations from non-harm, non-violence, and
sages and scholars non-cruelty, which the
○ Most of these texts are Buddha advocates for.
considered of lesser ● Karma plays an important
importance role in Theravada Buddhist
● It contains the three great morality, as it is seen as a
epics higher rule in Buddhist ethics.
○ Ramayana ○ Karmic consequences
■ Story of Rama’s Journey served as foundation of the
○ Mahabharata Five Principles
■ world’s longest poem ● Intent is vital in observing the
○ Bhagavad Gita Five Principles. Thus to be
■ The Lord’s Song punished for a violation, one
■ one of the holiest books

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 ● Gita = 700 verse narrative must be aware and has the
between Prince Arjuna and intent to violate.
Krishna ● Overall, these principles are
○ instructs any person that used to define a person as a
one may reach god person in body and mind.
through devotion Thus, we must avoid harming
○ Humans must do their duty ourselves and others.
or dharma
Worship and Devotion Nirvana and Arhat Bodhisattva
● devas or 330 million gods of ● Theravada Buddhism ● Mahayana ideology
Hindu scripture emphasizes attaining surrounds itself around the
Purpose
● Worship = puja self-liberation through one’s concept of Bodhisattva, or
○ murtis (images) own efforts one who seeks to become
○ mantras (prayers) ○ Through practices, such as Buddha.
○ yantras (diagrams of the Meditation, followers are ○ This contrasts itself from
universe) expected to accumulate other Buddhist philosophies
all that is good and purify because it opens the
Purusharthas the mind. possibility for lay people to
● Purushatha = “For the ○ Once this liberation is become Buddha.
purpose of the Self” reached, the follower is ● Attaining the title of
● four suggested goals now called Arhat or Arahat, Bodhisattva means attaining
○ Dharma = truth, the ethical which translates to “worthy a state of enlightenment for
basis on which you live your person” the benefit of all sentient
life ● Meditation comes in two beings.
○ Artha = security and forms: ● Due to the nature of
contentment, pursuit for joy ○ Samatha = calming selflessnes in Mahayana
within the necessary ■ Earliest form of meditation tradition, they do not aim for
○ Kama = presence, to be ■ NOT unique to Buddhism the liberation of self.
present in all experiences ■ Used to take a person to ○ Rather, they aim for the
higher jhanic states liberation of all. Thus, they

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 ○ Moksha = release from life’s ○ Vipassana = Insight must help others to achieve
illusion ■ Used to achieve insight enlightenment through the
into the true nature of course of life and
things transmigration.
■ To free oneself from
preconceptions, opinions,
and past experiences
■ To completely change
the way we perceive and
understand the universe
Karma and Reincarnation Nibbana Enlightenment
● A person’s deeds determines ● Theravada Buddhism’s ● Mahayana Buddhists attempt
his fate ultimate goal is to become to become Bodhisattvas,
Destiny
○ good deeds are rewarded Arhat, or a perfect person. which are enlightened beings
= better life ● Those who choose this path ○ They vow to show
○ bad deeds are punished will follow the Noble Eightfold compassion and respect to
= bad life/continuous lives Path all sentient beings
● The goal is to become a ● Arhats have overcome the ● Unlike other Dharmic religions,
good soul and be liberated Three Poisons (greed, hatred, Mahayana Buddhism does
from the cycle of rebirth and ignorance) not aim to be released from
○ Moksha = freedom ○ These people will no longer the samsara. Rather, they
● The soul passes from one be reborn once they die choose to stay as enlightened
body to another after death. ○ They will be freed from the beings to guide others.
This may be either animal, Samsara, the cycle of birth ● Six areas of life
human, demigod, or god, and death. ○ Generosity
depending on the person’s ○ Morality
karma. ○ Patience
○ Energy
○ Meditation
○ Wisdom

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 Scripture/Traditional Historical Equality of ALL Beings
● Manusmriti or “Laws of Manu” ● Both cultural and historical ● Mahayan Buddhism
○ states that women should contexts have influenced the maontaons the idea of
Views on Women
be Honored in Hindu Theravada Buddhists’ view on equality in all beings, and
society women. adhering to
○ However, women have ● There are women in non-discrimination. Thus, the
always been portrayed as Theravada Buddhist scriptures religion itself does not
inferior to men in all aspects have been acknowledged to discriminate against women.
of life have attained enlightenment. ● However, due to the constant
● A woman’s life revolves ○ One of themost notable influence of patriarchal
around the men in her life, figures of women in culture, there have been
from father to husband to Theravada Buddhism is instances of inequalities within
sons. Mahapajapati Gotami, the community.
● Expected to do household Buddha’s foster mother. She ○ This does not reflect the
chores and become loyal to is acknowledged as the first teachings of the religion
their husband Buddhist nun due to the fact that
○ In Matrimony, widows are ● However, the religion itself Mahayana Buddhism
expected to perform sati or has been predominantly led acknowledges that all
suttee, wherein they have by males throughout history. people, whether man or
to jump into the funeral ● Theravada Buddhism’s woman, may achieve
pyre of their husbands to traditional view believes that enlightenment.
prove their loyalty and save women cannot attain the ● The Mahayana Sutras also
the soul of their husband in same level of enlightenment portray women as beings with
the afterlife. as the men. Thus, they usually great spiritual potential, as
■ This has been demolished play a secondary role in the well as wisdom.
by British colonization in religion.
India
Modern Times
Modern Times ● Modern Theravada Buddhist
communities have made

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 ● Many modern Hindu efforts in bringing back the
communities have accepted tradition of ordaining women.
that men and women have ● However, limitations are still
equal worth apparent depending on the
● Thus, Hindu women are cultural and societal contexts
allowed to pursue careers in which the religion is in.
that would put them at the
top of the household
hierarchy.
○ This is determined by their
varnashrama dharma =
duties depending on the
stage of life
Views on LGBTQ+ Scripture/Literature Societal and Cultural Context Acceptance
● Hindu texts portray ● LGBTQ+ discrimination or ● Mahayana Buddhists remain
homosexuality in a positive support vary depending on true to their teachings of
light and see it as joyful and where and what culture acceptance when it comes
natural Theravada Buddhism is to the LGBTQ+ community.
● The Kamasutra, or the present. Cultural and societal ○ The religion itself explicitly
principles of love, contexts deeply affect the promotes equality and
acknowledges and affirms community’s view on these non-discrimination in order
homosexual relationships people. to attain enlightenment.
● Historically, numerous temples ● A number of followers have ○ Thus, acceptance and
portray same-sex used Theravada scriptures compassion comes
relationships with carvings and teachings to justify naturally to those that
● Many deities are considered discrimination against the practice it.
gender-fluid or falling into the LGBTQ+ community. ● However, societal prejudice
LGBTQ+ spectrum Furthermore, this outside of the religion still
● However, some texts have discrimination is more persists. Thus, some
grouped homosexuality directed at individuals who Mahayana Buddhist

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 within offenses (alongside identify as transgender or organizations have
heterosexuality) non-binary. established support groups for
○ The Vinaya is one of the LGBTQ+ members. These
Modern Times texts which Theravada support groups provide
● Sexual orientation is barely Buddhists reference in spiritual assistance and a safe
discussed in depth by having rules about gender space for the constituents.
modern Hinduism due to and sexuality. People have
colonial influences by the used interpretations to
British exclude the LGBTQ+
○ During the time of British community.
colonization, homosexual ● However, in modern times,
acts, and relationships were there has been a growing
considered illegal effort to embrace
acceptance of the
community alongside all
beings.
Presence in the Historical Presence ● The Theravada Buddhist ● The Mahayana Buddhist
● 9th Century CE Laguna population in the Philippines is community only has a small
Philippines:
Copperplate Inscription extremely scarce presence in the Philippines.
○ Found in 1989 ○ This is because the tradition However, it has been growing
○ Deciphered in 1992 to be is mainly confined in the in the modern times due to
Kawi Script with Sanskrit countries: Sri Lanka, Ethnic Filipino-Chinese
words Thailand, Myanmar, Buddhists that have settled in
● 9th-10th Century CE Golden Cambodia, and Laos. the country.
Agusan Statue ● Despite the small community, ● Mahayana Buddhist temples
○ Discovered in 1917 it still has some presence in and organizations are present
○ Proposed to be a goddess the country. in the Philippines, particularly
or deity of Hinduism ○ Groups such as the in urban areas.
Philippine Theravada ○ These establishments are
Buddhist Fellowship often run by people of

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022
 ● Literature and Folktales have conduct practices of the Chinese Buddhist descent,
been linked to Hindu religion, particularly or by other foreign monks
influences. meditation and the study of and nuns.
○ Common Themes within early Buddhism. ○ Moreover, these
Philippine folktales have ■ organizations would often
also been found in the ○ Organizations and host activities and
Mahabharata and communities of the tradition gatherings related to
Ramayana are mainly found in urban Mahayana Buddhist
areas such as Metro Manila, teachings, open to all.
Modern Times Cebu, and Davao. ● Interest in the religion has
● There has been a growth in ■ Consequently, temples grown within the country,
the Hindu community in the and meditation centers leading to it gaining more
Modern Times for the practice are also visibility and followers.
● Most practitioners of the found in these areas. ○ Currently, it is still relatively
religion are native to India or small due to the immense
are expatriates population of Monotheistic
● The country does cater to the religions.
community and have
available temples for them
● Cultural influences such as
yoga and meditation has
made it into the country’s
mainstream practices due to
its popularity

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Introduction to World Religions & Belief Systems
Ms Mia B. Eballo
Term 2, AY 2021-2022