[occalmnab]

As Buddhism has roots in Hinduism I woder if some alignment still exists?

Did Buddha and his monks re vamp fully.............is some Hindu ideas still held?

Is Bgagavad Gita O.K. for Buddhists

Is Buddhism a philosophy more or a moral pathway?

Thank U.

Peace always.....................................

[Zoxeeoy]

Hi Twinkie,

In teaching the path of liberation, the Buddha re-defined many Hindu ideas, taking existing terms and concepts and giving them a more practical meaning relevant to understanding the origin and cessation of suffering.

Over the course of the past two and a half millenia, some Hindu ideas seem to have found their way back into certain forms of Buddhism, at least as perceived by people whose understanding of those forms of Buddhism is not well-developed. For instance, rebirth is a deeply misunderstood subject. The Buddha's notion of rebirth differs substantially from the theory of reincarnation proposed by Hinduism. As should be evident from any reading of the core teachings of the Buddha, no where did the Buddha support the existence of a permanent self that persists from life to life, like a soul. He discouraged needless speculation on the matter, deeming it unnecessary to ending suffering. Hinduism, on the other hand, revolves around the notion of the immortal Self which is eternally reincarnated in various forms. This is a rather large discrepancy between the two.

Kamma/karma is another idea with different meanings in Buddhism and Hinduism. According to Hinduism, a being is destined to be forever born into the same tier of the social hierarchy due to karma. This fate is inescapable and unalterable. Karma from the standpoint of Hinduism served to justify the Hindu caste system. The Buddha, however, proclaimed that it is not by birth that one attains a certain rank. It is by volitional actions in this very life that one is able to influence and change one's so-called destiny. Kamma/karma from the perspective of Buddhism is not fatalistic or deterministic. Only Hindu karma is.

These are just two of countless differences that exist between Buddhism and Hinduism. As this is the Buddhism for Beginners subforum, I've tried to keep the above as simple as possible.

This recent thread on the Bhagavad Gita might be of interest to you: http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...-Bhagavad-Gita

In terms of your final question, my answer is both. In my life practice, Buddhism is both a philosophy and a moral pathway. The Buddha emphasized the cultivation of wisdom, virtue, and meditative concentration. The way I practice Buddhism, all are given equal weight.

Hope that helps a little.

Abhaya

[Zvssxstw]

Just a point of clarification Hinduism as we know it today didn't exist at the time of the Buddha. Modern Hinduism evolved from a variety of philosophies (including Buddhism), but I guess Brahmanism is the main one.

The main philosophies at the time that the Buddha interacted with where Brahmanism and Jainism, he incorporated some ideas, rejected others, and redefined many.

I recommend this series of talks Buddhism Before the Theravada from John Peacock http://www.audiodharma.org/series/207/talk/2602/

As Abhaya pointed out as Buddhism evolved some ideas we think of as Hindu slowly became re-incorporated, in the above talks this is referred to as creeping Brahanism.

[SingleMan]

Abhaya raised an issue I never knew about. In Hinduism you are destined to be reborn in the same social class endlessly until you achieve Moksha? I always assumed a good lower caste person might be able to be reborn into a higher caste. Dang, the caste system just gets worse the more I learn about it.

This thread does raise a question of me own. What is the major difference from Moksha and Nirvana?

[Wsjltrhe]

hi Twinkie

it is a common misconception Buddhism has roots in Hinduism (Brahmanism). ultimately, Buddhism was the opposite of Hinduism. if Buddhism had roots in Hinduism then Buddha would not be 'Buddha' (self-enlightened) and his title would have no basis or credibility.

in his first sermon, buddha said:

in regard to things unheard before, there arose in me vision, knowledge, wisdom, true knowledge & light

SN 56.11 as for being a moral pathway, Buddhism certainly has a very strong moral pathway but, at it core, Buddhism offers a diagnosis & cure for suffering, which includes the kinds of sufferings morality cannot address

kind regards

[AnimeThat]

As Buddhism has roots in Hinduism I woder if some alignment still exists?

Did Buddha and his monks re vamp fully.............is some Hindu ideas still held?

Is Bgagavad Gita O.K. for Buddhists

Hi Twinkie,

The approach I can offer you is this:

I am not an expert in religions but Buddhism with the suffix "-ism" is a melting pot as a result of the incorporation of the believes and rites of other religions and cultural manners along the countries and geographical settings where it was taken.

From the core teachings of the Nikayas we can taste that Gotama Buddhas's teachings were against Hinduism, Brahmanism, and the ides of a self or Atman. Atman is a frequent figure in the Bagavadgita.

A long time ago I was caught by the poetry of the Bagavadgita and other texts, but that stage of exploring that literature ended. There you can found beautiful poetical allegories but I doubt they will take you to where Gotama Buddha arrived.

But, IMO, the best place to know about what Buddha taught, is from the Nikayas, and from there, to discern which are the central teachings that can lead us to quench Dukkha in this present life because that is the only purpose of what Gotama Buddha taught.

Is Buddhism a philosophy more or a moral pathway? It has a moral ingredient but it is from discernment of what brings us a peaceful state of mind. It is not of behavioural nature but of cognitive orientation. It compels us to know that killing do not lead to a peaceful mind/living as Lying do not, stealing do not, cheating do not, harming others or yourself do not; intoxicating your mind, do not.

IMO, the teachings of Gotama Buddha are not intended to be a philosophical endeavour nor a moral doctrine but a handbook of instructions and a toolkit to be followed and used carefully so to quench dukkha.

Maybe you can find ontological glimpses, mostly as a background to understand human nature and ultimate nature of things, but not as a philosophical elaboration, nor as an intellectual challenging but as a tool to work with in your life so to verify this ultimate nature of things.

Most philosophies are mental entanglements. Gotama Buddha's teachings warn us to be caught into that by the practice of letting go.

Thank U.

Peace always..................................... You are welcome!

[nerkvcbtre]

Thank you Element and Esho I like the instructional aspect and don't like to get too bogged down with philosophy..................

[cjOTw7ov]

In short, the view of Buddhism and that of Hinduism contradict one another. Whereas I think it is good to see some commonalities between religions, we should also understand how and why they don't compliment each other.

As one studying, practicing and ultimately trying to understand the essence of the Buddha's teachings, examining these things can actually be beneficial too!

Terma