Education in Values and Spirituality :: Perspectives of the Major Religions

Module 3 Unit 1- Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism

This unit explored the basic beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Hinduism is both theistic and non-theistic; Buddhism and Jainism are non-theistic. Hinduism is a system of beliefs and social customs, especially influential in India. It embraces polytheism (belief in many gods and goddesses), monotheism (belief in one Supreme God) and monism (belief that everything is one all pervasive omnipresent God). The universe is perceived through the key concepts of dharma, the eternal law underlying the whole of existence; karma, the law of action by which each cause has its effect in an endless chain reaching from one life to the next; and moksha, liberation from this chain of birth, death and rebirth.

In Hinduism karma refers to thoughts or actions, their consequences and the sum of all consequences which determine one’s conditioning and disposition in life. In Hinduism the soul continues to be reborn in a variety of forms according to its actions in past lives, until release, moksha, is achieved. Buddhism rejects the existence of the soul but recognises a spiritual link between successive lives.

Indian folklore gives special importance to the goddesses. The image of goddess Durga contains many symbols whose interpretation reveals the function of spirituality and its power to destroy the many forms of evil, sorrow and suffering that plague the world as we know it. Hinduism has such breadth of inclusivity that almost all possible concepts can be found within it somewhere and there is great scope for interpretation of the scriptures, myths and practices. There is every opportunity to select those elements which suit the individual.

Jainism is a non-theistic religion founded in India in the 6th century BC by Vardhamana Mahavira as a reaction against the teachings and sacrificial rites of orthodox Brahmanism. Its central doctrine is non-injury to living creatures. Salvation is attained by perfection of the soul through successive lives. There are two major sects: the white clothed Swetambaras and the naked Digambaras.

According to Jainism the world was not created, maintained or destroyed by any personal deity, but functions through the interaction of living souls (jivas) and five categories of non-living entities which are ether, the means or condition of movement; the means or condition of rest; time and matter. The seventh category or tattva of Jainism is liberation. The universe is eternal, consisting of an infinite number of cycles, each identical.

The soul is naturally bright, all-knowing and blissful. There are an infinite number of souls all fundamentally equal, but differing owing to the amount of adherence of invisible subtle matter which is karma. The soul becomes dulled by karmic matter and acquires first a spiritual and then a material body. Every activity induces karma of some kind, but cruel or selfish deeds induce more than others. The karma already acquired leads to further karma, and the cycle of transmigration continues indefinitely.

The five vows of a Jain monk are: the renunciation of killing, lying, stealing, sexual activity and possession of property. Meat eating is forbidden. Jainism encourages the values of honesty and frugality. The ‘right path’ for attaining liberation from the bondage of karma is to follow the six moral principles of non-violence, truth, honesty, celibacy, non-acquisition and tolerance. Mahavira and the 23 other Tirthankaras were worshipped in the same way as the Buddha and the Hindu gods, but Jainism never compromised in its atheism.

Buddhism is a widespread religion or philosophy, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in Northeast India in the 5th century BC. Like Jainism, it grew as a reaction to the sacrificial religion of orthodox Brahmanism. It is a religion without a god, in which human error and human suffering are linked in a relentless chain of cause and effect.
The fundamental teaching of Buddhism contains the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Noble Eightfold Path.’ The Buddha said, ‘Do not pursue desires or the pleasure which springs from desires which is base, common, leading to rebirth, ignoble and unprofitable. Do not pursue pain and hardship which is grievous, ignoble and unprofitable. The Middle Way avoids both these ends. It is enlightened, it brings clear vision, it makes for understanding and leads to peace, insight, wisdom and Nirvana.’ The Middle Way is the Noble Eightfold Path: Right Views, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Recollection and Right Meditation.

Buddhism is favoured by many scientifically minded people as a practical way to address their spiritual needs. Buddhism is consistent with the materialist world view principally because there is no question of the soul or God. However, considerable inner power is needed to follow this path.