Comparative Study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity

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INTRODUCTION
Comparative religion is an independent section of religious study that is involved with
doctrine comparisons and also practices of religions not only in a local set up but also globally as
well. It compares the method of interpretation and religious practices that surround different
religions from Christianity to Buddhism. Religion is quite diverse and also highly sensitive in its
interpretation. It’s always subject to misinterpretation and misconception due to the elements that
form the structure and foundation of the study. Studying religion involves certain skills as it is a
multifaceted study and quite diverse as well. Therefore, one needs to rely on the factual basis that
exists in the religion through use of literary criticism, anthropology, histography, and theology.
At one time or the other, man is bound to feel lost or overwhelmed by emotions. During such
time, many take time to reflect and meditate on a life that present happiness and freedom to live
within serenity. One of the main focus during such times for man involves religion. As many
would have it, the main goal of religion tends to be redemption from a sinful and lost life and
salvation of oneself and others through believed in God, worship and obedience to the set
commandments and rules (Rusell, 2004).
HINDUISM
There are many religious doctrines that defines man. From Christianity, Hinduism, and
Islam amongst others, the diversity in religion is quite broad. Taking an in-depth look into
Hinduism, there is more focus to the soul and what the religion defines in terms of living or
adopting a religious lifestyle. In Hinduism, sin is treated as an act of ignorance and it is
overcome by way of caste and salvation. It is treated not as an act of disobedience against God
but against the moral order (karma). Salvation isn’t dependent on one man and atonement for any

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sin as in the case of Christianity but on Karma. As one sins, the universe will find ways to make
the person undergo suffering of a similar magnitude and form of his sin. Therefore, to safe the
soul, one is required to know the Brahman fully, devote themselves to love and obedience to a
deity, or perform the dictated rituals as in the passage of life (birth, death and re-birth), one can
atone for sin through multiple re-births until he or she gains atonement. This means that one’s
soul reaps what he or she sowed in the previous life in either blessings or misery during re-birth.
There is a deep-rooted faith in recantation in form of animals as opposed to rebirth into little
children as in Buddhism. Therefore, animals are held with a deeper reference as opposed to any
other religion (Shouler, 2009).
The religion exists in different groups which are based on beliefs of different relics that
existed long before the birth of Jesus Christ over 1000 years. Its referred to as the Caste system.
The system divides the Hindus into hierarchical groups that are rigid and based on their work
(Karma), as well religious duty (dharma). It is justified by the Manusmriti, that dates back to
over 1000 years before the birth of Christ and it divides the Hindus into four main categories.
The Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras, who all originated from the Hindu God of
creation. The Brahmins were teachers and intellectuals that are believed to have hailed from
Brahma’s head. The Kshatriyas who were warriors and rulers from his arms, Vaishyas or traders
from his thighs and the Shudras Brahma’s feet and hence their work is menial jobs. The four
main groups would branch out to their castes and sub castes that were defined by occupation.
There was the achhoots who were not part of the Caste system and thus they were referred to as
Dalits or the untouchables (BBC News, 2017).
In the Hindu religion, there isn’t more reference made to hell for penance of wrongful
deeds during one’s lifetime. There is however a great belief in rebirth where one gets rewarded

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for good deeds or pays back for wrongful deeds that are done while one is still alive. Karma is
the doctrine and belief of re-birth. The process of re-birth is referred to as samsara and is cyclic
in nature. To it, there is no beginning and ended and its defined by attachments to desire and
appetite binds one’s spirits to a series of births and deaths. Interactions which are fueled by
desire either result to good or bad karma. An emancipation from misery and payment of deeds,
that is salvation, is referred to as Moksha. There several rituals conducted to commemorate an
event that is important example rituals for blessing of marriages, birth of a baby, celebration of a
god amongst others. An example of such rituals includes the Shinto worship (BBC News, 2009).
Shinto worship consists of rituals and follows strict conventions of protocol, order and
control. It consists of the spirit of Shinto worship. This compromises of sincerity, cheerfulness
and purity. This is meant to staffs the senses and minds of those taking part and every set up has
meaning to the worship. It can be a private of public worship. It can be a worship at home where
a shrine is set aside for the offerings of flowers to the deity, and prayers are said then. It also can
be a worship at a shrine at no special day of the week with as the is understanding of the natural
world. Moreover, it involves rituals among them Jhansi held before construction of a building,
Norioto held before formal ceremonies and their typical rituals like adoration, and purification
among others (BBC, 2009).
BUDDHISM
In his mediation under the Bodhi tree, buddha came about with the four truths. The truth
of suffering (dukkha), the truth of the origin of suffering (samudaya), the truth of the cessation of
suffering (nirodha) and the truth of the path to cessation of suffering (magga). Buddha identifies
suffering and that it comes from many forms and also the kinds of suffering from things such as
age, sickness and death. He explains the origin of suffering like pain from loss of a love ones and