This book informs us about the basic essence of Buddhism in comparison to Hinduism. It is essential to start with the first chapter to understand the correct meaning of the basic spiritual terms used in this book. In most of the books spiritual terms may have been used differently.
Many people think and propagate that all religions basically teach the same, and have same objectives, but may have different paths. But in fact, there are basic philosophical contradictions. Unless we understand these differences properly and try to remove them, the unity of all the religions may not be achieved. The aim of this book is understand the essence of Buddhism and its differences with Hinduism, if any. Why and how it spread in most of the countries? Why and how in India Buddhists adopt to Hinduism later?
Basically Buddhism evolved from Hindu Dharma as Buddha was a Hindu. But he discarded God, soul, Scriptures and Brahmanism. More or less it was a contrast to Hinduism. Buddha has been controversial and misunderstood by many. Many people think that Buddha was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and his enlightenment was ‘Self-realization or God-realization’. But this does not seem to be correct. Is it not ridiculous to call some one as an Avatara of God, if he doesn’t believe in God? The book clarifies the difference between ‘Moksha & Nirvana’ and ‘Buddhist and Hindus meditations’, which in fact differ in many respects.
Author has also compared two more religions Jainism & Islam with Buddhism and Hinduism. But the comparison has been limited only up to philosophical level and not about traditional differences. Author has due respect to all the religions. |
