Unit: Comparative religion.

.In groups of two write about the following religious beliefs and practices:

 Hinduism
 Buddhism
 Jainism

The founders, their beliefs, doctrines and compare and contrast themes like ;
God, worship and life and death belief

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, focusing on their founders, core beliefs,

doctrines, and perspectives on God, worship, life, and death.

1. Hinduism

Founders: Unlike many religions, Hinduism doesn't have a single founder. It's
a synthesis of various beliefs and traditions that evolved over thousands of
years in the Indian subcontinent. The Vedas are considered the earliest
scriptures, dating back possibly as far as 3000 BCE or earlier. Important
figures throughout history shaped its philosophical and theological
developments.

Beliefs and Doctrines:

* Brahman: The ultimate reality, the cosmic principle. It is often described as

formless, infinite, and the source of all existence.

* Deities: While Brahman is the ultimate reality, Hinduism recognizes a

multitude of gods and goddesses who are seen as manifestations or aspects
of Brahman. The most prominent include Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the
preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).

* Atman: The individual soul, which is believed to be a part of Brahman.

* Karma: The law of cause and effect, where actions (karma) determine
one's future births.

* Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth until moksha (liberation) is
achieved.

* Moksha: The ultimate goal, which is liberation from the cycle of samsara
and union with Brahman.

* Dharma: One's duty or righteous conduct, which varies based on social

standing, age, and other factors.

Themes:
 * God: Hinduism encompasses a wide range of views on God, from monistic
(all is one Brahman) to polytheistic (many deities). The deities are often seen
as approachable forms of the ultimate, formless reality.

* Worship: Worship (puja) can take many forms, including temple rituals,
home shrines, offerings, prayers, chanting of mantras, and devotion to
specific deities.

* Life: Life is seen as a journey with the ultimate aim of realizing one's true
nature (the Atman being part of Brahman) and achieving moksha. The
concepts of karma and dharma shape how Hindus live their lives.

* Death: Death is not an end but a transition in the cycle of samsara. The
soul is believed to be reborn based on its karma. Funeral rites are important
to help the departed soul in its onward journey.

2. Buddhism

Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563 - c. 483 BCE), who became known as
the Buddha ("the awakened one").

Beliefs and Doctrines:

* The Four Noble Truths:

* Dukkha: Life inevitably involves suffering.

* Samudaya: Suffering arises from attachment and craving.

* Nirodha: Suffering can cease.

* Magga: The way to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

* The Noble Eightfold Path: Right understanding, right thought, right speech,
right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right
concentration.

* Anatta (No-self): The concept that there is no permanent, unchanging self

or soul. What we perceive as "self" is a collection of impermanent physical
and mental components.

* Anicca (Impermanence): Everything in existence is constantly changing.

* Karma: Actions have consequences that influence future experiences.

* Rebirth: Instead of a fixed soul transmigrating, Buddhism speaks of a

continuity of consciousness influenced by karma.
 * Nirvana: The ultimate goal, a state of liberation from suffering and the
cycle of rebirth. It is not annihilation but a transcendence of the limitations of
the ego and the conditioned world.

Themes:

* God: Buddhism, in its early and Theravada forms, does not focus on a
creator God. The emphasis is on self-effort and understanding the nature of
reality to achieve enlightenment. Some later Mahayana traditions may
incorporate celestial Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who are sometimes regarded
with reverence similar to deities.

* Worship: Practices vary across Buddhist traditions. They can include

meditation, mindfulness, chanting, devotional practices towards the Buddha
and Bodhisattvas, and ethical living. The focus is often on cultivating inner
peace and wisdom.

* Life: Life is seen as inherently marked by suffering (dukkha). The goal is to

understand the causes of suffering and follow the path to liberation
(Nirvana). Ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom are central to
Buddhist practice.

* Death: Death is a natural part of the cycle of existence. Rebirth occurs

based on one's karma. The ultimate aim is to break free from this cycle and
attain Nirvana.

3. Jainism

Founders: Jainism traces its lineage through a succession of 24 Tirthankaras

("ford-makers"), who are enlightened beings who teach the Jain path. While
Rishabhanatha is considered the first Tirthankara of the current cosmic age,
Vardhamana Mahavira (c. 599-527 BCE) is generally considered the most
recent Tirthankara and the one who systematized and popularized Jainism in
its current form.

Beliefs and Doctrines:

* Ahimsa (Non-violence): The most fundamental principle, extending to all

living beings, including plants and even microscopic organisms.

* Satya (Truthfulness): Speaking the truth in a harmless way.

* Asteya (Non-stealing): Not taking anything that is not freely given.

* Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): For monks and nuns, complete

celibacy; for laypersons, fidelity to one's spouse.
 * Aparigraha (Non-possession): Limiting one's material possessions and
attachments.

* Anekantavada (Non-absolutism): The doctrine that reality has multiple

aspects and truths, and no single viewpoint is completely absolute.

* Karma: Karma is seen as a subtle matter that clings to the soul, obscuring
its true nature. The goal is to shed accumulated karma through right faith,
right knowledge, and right conduct.

* Jiva and Ajiva: The universe is composed of living beings (jiva) and non-
living substances (ajiva).

* Moksha: Liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death, achieving
its pure, eternal state.

Themes:

* God: Jainism does not believe in a creator God. The Tirthankaras are
revered as enlightened beings who have attained liberation and serve as
guides. The focus is on the potential for every soul to achieve godhood
through its own efforts.

* Worship: Worship in Jainism often involves venerating the Tirthankaras

through prayers, hymns, and offerings. The emphasis is on self-discipline,
ethical living, and striving for spiritual purity.

* Life: Life is to be lived with extreme care and awareness to avoid harming
any living being. The goal is to purify the soul by shedding karma through
strict ascetic practices and ethical conduct.

* Death: Death is a transition in the cycle of rebirth. The aim is to attain

moksha and escape this cycle. Jains often observe rituals and practices that
emphasize detachment and spiritual focus as one approaches death.

Comparison of Themes

| Theme | Hinduism | Buddhism | Jainism |

|---|---|---|---|

| God | Many deities as aspects of one ultimate reality (Brahman), or

monotheistic views. | No creator God in early Buddhism; some later traditions
have celestial beings. | No creator God; Tirthankaras are revered as
enlightened guides. |
| Worship | Diverse forms including puja, rituals, devotion to deities,
meditation. | Meditation, mindfulness, chanting, ethical living, devotion in
some traditions. | Veneration of Tirthankaras, self-discipline, ethical practices.
|

| Life | Journey towards self-realization and moksha, influenced by karma and

dharma. | Marked by suffering; the goal is to end suffering and attain
Nirvana. | Focus on non-violence, self-discipline, and shedding karma to
attain moksha. |

| Death | Part of the cycle of samsara, with rebirth based on karma; aim is
moksha. | Rebirth based on karma/consciousness; aim is to attain Nirvana
and escape rebirth. | Part of the cycle of rebirth; aim is to attain moksha and
liberate the soul. |

In summary, while all three traditions originated in India and share concepts
like karma and rebirth, they differ significantly in their views on God, the
nature of the self, and the specific paths to liberation. Hinduism is a diverse
tradition with a complex pantheon and emphasis on dharma. Buddhism
focuses on overcoming suffering through understanding and the Eightfold
Path, often without a central deity. Jainism emphasizes extreme non-violence
and asceticism as the means to purify the soul and attain liberation.