How Buddhism Differs from Other Religious Views

N. K. K. N. Nugaliyadda A/19/507
Department of Pali and Buddhist
University of Peradeniya
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Content

Content .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 3
What is Buddhism? ..................................................................................................................................... 3
How to Buddhism Differ from Other Religious Views ............................................................................ 4
1. Basic Beliefs and Philosophies ......................................................................................................... 4
2. Practices and Rituals ......................................................................................................................... 5
3. views about the Afterlife ................................................................................................................... 7
4. Ethics and Moral Teachings .............................................................................................................. 8
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 9
Reference ................................................................................................................................................... 10
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Introduction
Religion can be defined as a set of beliefs about the origin, nature, and purpose of the universe,

particularly when viewed as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving

devotional and ritual observances, and frequently containing a moral code governing human

affairs. In most cases, a person's ethical and moral convictions are based on their religious beliefs.

Many believers see religion as a source of great consolation, if not the goal. There are numerous

unique religions throughout the world. According to one popular estimate, there are around 4000-

4300 religions worldwide, but this statistic is hotly debated. Approximately 85% of the global

population claims to be religious.

The demographic study, based on analysis of more than 2,500 censuses, surveys, and population

registers, finds 2.2 billion Christians (32% of the world's population), 1.6 billion Muslims (23%),

1 billion Hindus (15%), nearly 500 million Buddhists (7%), and 14 million Jews (0.2%) around

the world in 2020.

Every religious has its own religious views and philosophy. Accordingly, in this assignment, it is

expected to present information using sub-topics under the title “How Buddhism differs from

other religious views”.

What is Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama—also known as "the Buddha"—founded Buddhism more than 2,500 years

ago in India. Buddhism is both a philosophy and a religion. The core teachings of Gautama

Buddha, a wise thinker who lived between the fourth and sixth centuries BCE, are rooted in

Buddhist traditions and beliefs. Buddhism is considered by scholars to be one of the major world

religions, with an estimated 500 million to one billion followers. Buddhism, as a non-theistic faith

with no god or divinity to worship, is referred to by some researchers as a philosophy or moral

code rather than an organized religion.

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Many of Buddhism's ideas and practices center on the concept of suffering and its causes.

Buddhism was historically most popular in East and Southeast Asia, but its impact is spreading

throughout the West. Many Buddhist concepts and philosophies coincide with those of other faiths.

How to Buddhism Differ from Other Religious Views

When considering how Buddhism differs from other religious views, several aspects can be

focused on. There we can investigate how Buddhism differs from other religions by using several

sub-topics such as basic beliefs and philosophies, practices and rituals, views about the

afterlife, ethics and moral teachings, approach to suffering and happiness.

1. Basic Beliefs and Philosophies

Buddhism is one of the largest religions in the world and its roots can be traced back to India 2500

years ago. Buddhists believe that human life is full of suffering, and that enlightenment or nirvana

can be achieved through meditation, mental and physical exertion, and good conduct. When asking

about basic beliefs and philosophies, attention can be directed to the Four Noble Truths, the

Eightfold Path, the concept of Nirvana, and the non-theistic approach.

The Buddha taught that there are four noble truths. The first truth is titled "Suffering (dukkha),"

and it teaches that everyone in life is suffering in some form. The second truth is "Origin of

Suffering (Samudāya)," which argues that all suffering is caused by desire (tanhā). The third truth

is "Cessation of suffering (nirodha)," which states that it is possible to cease suffering and acquire

enlightenment. The fourth truth, "Path to the cessation of suffering (magga)," discusses the Middle

Way, or the pathways to enlightenment.

The Eightfold Path includes eight practices: right perspective, right resolve, right speech, right

behavior, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi ('meditative
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absorption or union'; alternatively, equanimous meditative awareness). The Noble Eightfold Path,

commonly known as the Threefold Way, encompasses three key parts of Buddhist life: ethics,

meditation, and wisdom.

In Christianity, Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on the life, teachings, death, and

resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God. This spiritual system

started in the first century CE and has since expanded to become the world's greatest religion, with

multiple denominations and traditions. Understanding who God is central to Christianity's main

doctrines. Christians believe in a singular, everlasting, and all-powerful God who created the

universe and everything in it. This God, however, is thought to exist in three persons: the Father,

the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit, a doctrine known as the Trinity.

In Islam, Islam is a monotheistic faith based on the belief in one God (Allah). In this way, it shares

some ideas with Judaism and Christianity, attributing its origins to the patriarch Abraham and,

eventually, to the first prophet, Adam. All of the prophets conveyed the same universal message:

belief in one God and love to all people. Muslims' religious requirements are summarized in the

Five Pillars of Islam, which comprise the profession of faith in God and his Prophet, prayer (ṣalāt),

charity (zakāt), pilgrimage (hajj), and fasting (ṣawm).

2. Practices and Rituals

Buddhism, like other great faiths, has given rise to a variety of popular activities. Two simple

practices are profoundly rooted in the experience of the first Buddhist community and have

remained fundamental to all Buddhist lineages. Buddhist devotion encompasses several practices

and rituals, including ordinary rites. However, there are also rites to commemorate significant life

events and milestones, such as births, deaths, weddings, and so on.

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Meditation - Meditation is an important part of all Buddhist sects and schools. Meditation practice,

like other parts of Buddhism, varies greatly. Nonetheless, all forms of meditation need mental

focus and the use of diverse techniques and instruments to achieve the necessary mental focus and

control. Mantra recitation, chanting, visualization, breathing exercises, and mindfulness can all be

used as methods for meditation.

Worship in Temples - Buddhists may visit temples or monasteries on full moon days or special

occasions to participate in meditation, prayers, dharma teachings, and other events. Temples serve

as communal places of meditation, research, and worship. Buddhist worship and rituals are as

diverse as the various schools of Buddhism.

Death and mourning - Buddhists believe in the cycle of samsara. As a result, their ideas regarding

death revolve around the concept of rebirth. Until a Buddhist experiences nibbana, they will remain

trapped in the cycle of samsara. Death, according to Buddhists, is not the end of the world; rather,

it is part of a larger cycle. Death ceremonies offer solace and help mourners accept death as a

natural part of life, aligning with the concept of anicca (impermanence). The death ceremony

promotes karma by encouraging mourners to be charitable and generous during the time of loss.

In Christianity, The Seven Sacraments play an important role in many Catholic traditions. All

sacraments are viewed as avenues via which God's gift can be received. The Sacraments are

divided into three categories: Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation),

Sacraments of Healing (reconciliation and sick anointing), and Sacraments of Vocational

Consecration (marriage and ordination). Each sacrament has both a visible rite and an invisible,

spiritual component that binds the recipient to God. Some sacraments are only administered once,

while others involve active and continuing participation.

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The key practices of Islam among Sunni Muslims are referred to as "The Five Pillars" and include:

shahadah (statement of faith), salat (prayer five times a day), zakat (giving a portion of one's

possession, usually 2.5% of annual wealth, through local mosques or organizations), sawm (fasting

from sunrise to sunset in the month of Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to the Ka'bah in Mecca

during the month of Dhu'l-Hijjah).

3. views about the Afterlife

Buddhists believe in a cycle of death and rebirth known as samsara. Buddhists believe that karma

and eventual enlightenment will allow them to escape samsara and achieve nirvana, an end to

suffering. According to Buddhist scripture, we are reborn because of the same clinging and desire

that produces our suffering. The ego's motor is so powerful that even after the body dies, the mind

continues to cling and search. According to Buddhism, it creates a bridge to another body and

reincarnates.

The Buddha taught that our collected karma determines where, when, and how we will be reborn.

That is, our activities in this and prior lifetimes influence the outcome of the next one. Even at the

moment of death and beyond, we can make decisions that will affect our next existence, either

positively or negatively. Buddhists think that the mental attitude at death is highly important.

Christians make a clear contrast between heaven and hell. Christians depict heaven as a paradise

in which souls who have accepted Jesus Christ can live forever with God. In sharp contrast, hell

serves as a warning tale. It is designated for souls who have strayed from the path of righteousness

and have not sought forgiveness. Within Christianity, a soul's last resting place is determined by

faith.

Islamic beliefs, too, give a dualistic image of the afterlife: heaven (Jannah) and hell (Jahannam).

Those who followed the Quran, believed in Allah, and did good deeds find comfort in Jannah, a
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realm of calm and beauty. Jahannam, on the other hand, awaits those who oppose God's

instructions in a punishing environment.

Hinduism introduced a new concept, This is known as "samsara," a never-ending cycle of birth,

death, and reincarnation. In the present incarnation, one's acts, or karma, influence the conditions

and status of the next existence. The goal is to achieve moksha, which represents a soul's liberation

from this recurrent cycle and entry into eternal peace.

4. Ethics and Moral Teachings

Living ethically is a fundamental principle of Buddhism. Buddhist ethics are integral to mind

training and the liberation from suffering. The Buddha advises us to continually assess whether

what we think, do, and say is harmful to ourselves or others. By avoiding harmful activities, we

can make significant progress toward awakening. However, if we continue to engage in them, we

will continue to suffer while also causing others to suffer.

That is why the eightfold way, or the Buddha's path of practice, contains numerous principles

and solutions for ethical behavior. The five precepts are a basic set of guidelines that many

novice practitioners adhere to. When we recite the precepts, we commit to abstain from:

killing other living beings, stealing or taking what is not given, engaging in illicit sex, lying or

gossiping, taking intoxicants.

In Hinduism, the concept of dharma provides a moral framework that is intimately related to

religious teachings. Dharma refers to an individual's duties and responsibilities based on their life

stage and social rank. Adherence to dharma is regarded as vital for spiritual development and the

attainment of moksha, or escape from the cycle of rebirth.

Religion has played a significant impact in defining moral standards and behavior throughout

history. However, it is also important to acknowledge that morality can exist outside of religious

belief and that ethical action can be based on reason and human experience.
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The Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity provide an illustration of the tight

relationship between morality and religion. These commandments establish a set of moral

standards that are held sacred and are supposed to govern believers' behavior.

Another example is the Five Pillars of Islam, which provide a rule of conduct for Muslims. These

pillars include acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting, but also acts of charity and social

responsibility.

Conclusion
As a wrap off exploration of how Buddhism differs from other religions, it's vital to highlight

certain significant characteristics that distinguish Buddhism. While each religion has its own set

of characteristics and teachings, understanding these variances allows us to appreciate the variety

of spiritual pathways available to humans.

In contrast to many other major religions, Buddhism is basically non-theistic. Buddhism, unlike

other religions, does not center on the worship of a single deity or deities. The Buddha is regarded

as an enlightened teacher rather than a divinity. Utilitarianism is based on the principles of non-

harm and compassion. The five precepts for lay Buddhists focus on avoiding actions that harm

oneself and others. While other religions also teach ethical and moral principles, Buddhism

emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of compassion as a path to

enlightenment. As well as Buddhism focuses on practical and experiential methods rather than

beliefs. The core practices of mindfulness, meditation and ethical living are aimed at transforming

the mind and behavior of the practitioner.

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Reference

(Dammananda, 1994)
Harvey, P. (2013). An introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, history, and practices. Cambridge
University Press.
Keeney, B. (2009). Buddhism and the comparative approach. Routledge.
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