Comparing Hinduism and Judaism - Essay Example

Hinduism and Judaism Judaism and Hinduism are two of the most well-known religions of the world today. Judaism is the Jewish people’s religion. As of 2006, there 15 million followers of Judaism. Judaism is one of the few well-documented monotheistic religion and one of the oldest religion that survived until the modern times. The values and history of the Jewish people contributed to the emergence of other Abrahamic religions such as Samaritanism, Islam, and Christianity. However, Judaism has less likely to have been monolithic in practice because it does not have any centralised power or compulsory dogma. Nevertheless, Judaism in all its different sects has been strongly connected to numerous principles of the religion. The very most essential priciples of Judaism is the belief in a single, omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent, transcendent God, who made the universe and continues until today to extend His authority over mankind. According to Jewish teachings, the God who created the world made an agreement with the Jewish people, and provided the Torah which contains the laws and commandments of God. The central exercise of Judaism is chiefly focused to the study and following of these laws and commandments, as written in the Torah. Judaism can not be easily categorized into any Western religion, ethnicity, or culture, due to the fact that it existed long before the rise of Western culture in about 4,000 years ago. In those days, the Jewish people have undergone slavery, anarchic and theocratic self-government, conquest, occupation, and exile; and they have been govenred by ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenic cultures, as well as modern movements such as the Enlightenment and the rise of nationalism. “Thus, Talmud professor Daniel Boyarin has argued that "Jewishness is not consistent with the very categories of identity, because it is not national, not genealogical, not religious, but all of these, in dialectical tension (Wikipedia, 2006a). On the other hand, Hinduism (Sanskrit/Hindi Hindū Dharma—, also known as Sanātana Dharma, and Vaidika Dharma) is a religion the originated in the Indian subcontinent, based on the Vedas, and one of the oldest religions that survived the test of time. The term Hinduism is heterogenous, as Hinduism is made up of numerous schools of thought. It includes numerous religious sacraments that are distinct with each other, as well as numerous sects and philosophies (Wikipedia 2006b). Many Hindus venerate an array of deities, and consider them as the representations of the one “Supreme monistic Cosmic Spirit Brahman” while others believe on the concept of one God, such as in Vaishnavism and Saivism (Balasubramanian, 2000). Hinduism with its 970 million followers is the third largest religion in the world and almost 900 million of them are in India (Mascaró, 2003; Chaudhuri, 1979). The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal has Hinduism as its state religion (Wikipedia 2006b). Many scholars agree that Hinduism was fully founded around 1500–1300 BCE, making it one of the world's oldest major religions today (Wikipedia, 2006b). However, the real date of origin of the Hindu religion has been a debatable issue and numerous theories have arisen. Matter. Nevertheless, it is mostly believed that the Indus Valley civilization, which existed near the river Indus around 3200 B.C.-1600 B.C, had a faith that resemble to Hindusim. Later, this religion was impacted by several religious doctrines of the southern Dravidians and the Aryan invaders who settled in the north of India around 1500 BC. 1500B.C. to 1400 B.C. was an undocumented period. In modern times, this theory of Aryan invaders is being always been debated. It is mostly accepted that the Indus valley civilization vanished naturally (Pagewise, 2002). Hinduism is based on the principles of Dharma, the code of life. Since Hinduism has no particular founder, therefore anyone who practices Dharma can is called a Hindu. Hinduism put more weight on experiences direct from the deity rather than authorities. The achievement of spiritual wisdom is more important than complying with any pass-on doctrines. A Hindu can argue with the authority of any scripture, or even the existence of the Divine. Despite being the oldest religion, the truth realized by the seers proves that the Truth and the way of life propagated by Hinduism are not influenced by time. Hinduism seek for the devine truth rather than human systems of belief. “The absolute Truth is universal, and forever impersonal. No one has a proprietary claim to it” (Pagewise, 2002). The Vedas are the Hindu’s earliest scriptures. The Verda are the collection of spiritual laws and truths that covers all mankind. Hindus believe that each Veda was given to enlightened sages, called Ṛiṣhis, over time. Hinduism, together with Buddhism and Jainism, are considered as Ārya Dharma, meaning a noble religion (Wikipedia, 2006b). In Hinduism, “a Rishi is a sage and/or seer who "heard" (cf. śruti) the hymns of the Vedas from the Supreme Being Brahman while he was in deep meditation. A rishi can be regarded as a combination of a patriarch, a priest, a preceptor, an author of Vedic hymns, a sage, a saint, an ascetic, a prophet and a hermit into a single person”(Wikipedia, 2006d). At about 1000 BC, the Vedic scriptures were introduced, which became the first basis for the religion. Rig Veda was one of the first Vedas to be written. There are numerous written holy books in Hinduism today. The four Vedas (divine knowledge), being the most important of all became the foundation of Hindu philosophy. The Upanishads are contained within the Vedas and focuses into the metaphysical nature of the universe and soul. “After these are the Great epics Ramayana and Mahabharta. Several texts were also written including the ‘Manu smriti’ and ‘srutis’. It has been through these epics and texts that the essence of Hindu religion unfolds” (Pagewise, 2002). From a Hindu perspective, the Sanātana Dharma includes eternal and universal principles which is absolute and without end. “The Purāṇas place Lord Kṛiṣhṇa’s birth at around 3100 BCE. Kṛiṣhṇa’s incarnation was preceded by Lord Rāma’s, sometimes dated at over 5–6000 BCE, or even more than a million years ago in the Tretā Yuga according to the Rāmāyaṇa Epic”. Many Hindus believe that their religion was founded at the of Lord Rāma, the seventh incarnation of Lord Viṣhṇu (Wikipedia, 2006b). Rāmachandra, simply known as Rama or Srī Rāma, was a king of ancient India and is the Seventh Avatara of Vishnu, and one of the most essential representatins of God in Hinduism. He is one of the essential heroes of Hindu mythology and folktales in South and Southeast Asia. Born as the eldest son of Kousalya and Dasaratha, king of Kosala, he is the personification of the Supreme Brahman and Dharma. Rama is Mariyada Purshottama, or considered The Perfect Man. Rama is the hero of the ancient Hindu epic poem, The Ramayana (from Sanskrit, The Journey of Rama) (Wikipedia, 2006c). Rama's life is one of the best examples of dharma despite difficult tests of life and period. Rama abandons his claim to Kosala's throne to serve an exile in the forest for the sake of his father’s honour. The kidnapping of his wife Sita by Ravana, the Rakshasa monarch of Lanka made him more depress. After a long period of search that tests his own weakness and strengths, Rama fight a huge battle with Ravana's troops. In a war of mythical beings and magical weaponries, Rama killed Ravana in battle and rescued his wife. Having finished with his exile, Rama is then crowned King in Ayodhya (the capital of his Kingdom) and consequently becomes Emperor of the World, “after which he reigns for eleven thousand years - an era of perfect happiness, peace, prosperity and justice known as Rama Rajya” (Wikipedia, 2006c). Judaism is the oldest of all other monotheistic religion. Judaism emphasises the existence of only one God, Yahweh, who made an agreement or covenant with the offspring of Abraham, which are God's chosen people. Scriptures reveal that God has been with the Jewish people since then. These writings of the Judaism religion are known as the Torah, specifically the five books of Moses, but widely known as the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament by the Christians. It is also the collection of oral tradition known as the Talmud (which includes the Mishnah, the oral law). Based on the Torah, the Hebrew patriarch Abraham founded the faith that would become known as Judaism. He obeyed the call of God to depart northern Mesopotamia and travel to Canaan. God promised to bless his descendants if they remained faithful in worship. Abraham's line descended through Isaac, then Jacob (also called Israel; his descendants came to be called Israelites). According to Scripture, 12 families that came from the line of Jacob migrated to Egypt, where they were made slaves. They were led out of bondage by Moses, who made them one worshiping God. The Hebrews returned to Canaan after a 40-year of wandering in the desert, taking the land from the local peoples the “promised land” that God had promised them (Pearson Education, 2006). Abraham (Avraham) thus became the founder of Judaism; he is the ancestor of the Jewish people. God spoke to Abrahan in a casual manner, although Abraham has not seen God. God has successfully tested Abraham’s faith when He instructed Abraham to offer his only son to be a sacrifice. When Abraham was about to kill and offer his son, God, through an angle, stopped him and no longer require him to do so since he has proven to be a faithful servant. Abraham's faith has ever since a good example that followed by the Jewish people. Many historians believe that Abraham lived between about 1800 and 1500 B.C. The tale of his life is told in the first book of the bible which is the Genesis. Abraham, also called Abram in his early life, was born in the city of Ur, in ancient Mesopotamia (now mostly Iraq). The people of Ur believe in many gods. But, Abraham worship only one God. Abraham left Ur and traveled west with his wife, Sarah; his nephew Lot; and other members of his household. At God's command, he went to a land called Canaan (later called Palestine). God told Abraham that the land would belong to Abraham and his offspring. Abraham lived in Canaan, where God made an agreement with Abraham. The covenant promised that Abraham would become the father of many nations and that Canaan would be theirs forever should they abide with God faithfully (Gen. 17:4-8). To symbolise His pledge, God changed Abraham’s former name Abram into what is known today as Abraham. “God commanded him and all males in his family to be circumcised as a symbol of this covenant. God repeatedly promised Abraham many children. But he and Sarah remained childless. Following a custom of the time, Sarah gave her maid Hagar to Abraham to bear him a child. Hagar bore Abraham a son, Ishmael” (Shpargalka.net, 1999). At a time when Abraham and Sarah were at old age, God told them that they will bear a son. God also told Abraham that He intended to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because nearly all the people were wicked. Abraham pleaded with God to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous was unsuccessful to do so. But God saved Lot, who lived in Sodom. A year after, Sarah bore a son, which they named Isaac. The Bible says Abraham died at a very old age. According to beliefs, he was buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron, which is called the West Bank region of Southwest Asia today (Shpargalka.net, 1999). There are many similarities and differences between Judaism and Hinduism. The main similarity is the existence of a founding or influential figure. In the case of Judaism, it was Abraham who is considered to be the founding father of Judaism. God spoke to Abraham in a very casual manner as he hears voices from God. However, Abraham has to go through different test in life to show him worthy to be a father of many nations. Being childless, God promised him to have a child during his old age and later God ask his only child to be offered as a living sacrifice. Abraham experience with God brought him enlightenment and more wisdom. In Hinduism, although there are conflicting data surfaces from time to time, most Hindus believe in Rama as the most influential figure in Hinduism. Like Abraham, he also undergoes several life trials such as the kidnapping of his wife. But later come up more wise and able to reign for many years. Just like Judaism, Hindusim is also an old religion. There are many different viewpoints on how Hinduism was founded and formed. It is believed that Hindusim evolved from several ancient religions. Hinduism is not attached to any specific race or territory despite it is founded on India. In contrast, Judaism has strong historical bases and specific founder which is Abraham. Judaism is much related to the people of Israel and its territory. God consider the Jews as His chosen people and therefore provide special privileges like defending it from its enemy. As history would show, the Jews have never loss a battle since. However, the main similarity between Judaism and Hinduism is its emphasis on the devotion to God and on doing good things to fellow man. Moreover, Judaism is a religion that believes in only on God. In Judaism, there is clear founder, which is Abraham. Judaism was not founded in only one day. But it happened during the course of Abraham’s daily obedience to God. God made it clear that Abraham is to become the father of Judaism and a father of many descendants. The places and territories that were discussed in the foundation of Judaism are real place that can be pinpointed today, specifically the Middle East area. In contrast, the foundation of Hinduism, as mostly believed by Hindus involved mythical beings, magical weapons which are considered unbelievable in today’s world. Hinduism is a religion of many deities. No single persona can be considered as the founder of Hinduism, but rather it evolved from previous ancient religions. Hindu scriptures are a collection of numerous ancient writings. Judaism provided much clear explanations of its foundation. Abraham was clearly appointed as the father of Judaism. Enlightenment and communication with God were essential elements in the founding the Judaism whilst there are still many debatable issues with regards to the founding of Hinduism. As time goes by, new discoveries are being discovered that would reshape again of what is known of the foundations of Hinduism. Reference List About, Inc. (2006). Abraham. About, Inc. Available from:http://judaism.about.com/library/ 2_history/leaders/bldef-p_abraham.htm [Accessed April 29, 2006]. AllAboutReligion.org, (2006). Who was the founder of Hinduism? AllAboutReligion.org, Available from: http://www.allaboutreligion.org/founder-of-hinduism-faq.htm [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Balasubramanian, R. (2000). Advaita Vedanta, History of Science, Philosophy, and Culture in Indian Civilization, vol. II, part 2. Chaudhuri, Nirad C. (1979). Hinduism: A Religion to Live By. Chatto & Windus, London. Mascaró, Juan (trans.). (2003). The Bhagavad Gita. Penguin Classics. 160-page revised edition (originally published in 1962), with preface by author and introduction by Dr. Simon Brodbeck. Pagewise. (2002). History of Hinduism. Pagewise Available from: http://wvwv.essortment.com/historyhinduism_rxqd.htm [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Pearson Education. (2006). Judaism. Pearson Education. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001462.html [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Shaivam.org. (n.d.). History of Hinduism. Shaivam.org. Available from: http://www.shaivam. org/hiphistory.htm [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Shpargalka.net (оператор). (1999). ABRAHAM, THE FOUNDER OF JUDAISM. Shpargalka.net (оператор). Available from: http://www.library.by/shpargalka/ belarus/english/001/eng-009.htm [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Wikipedia. (2006a). Judaism. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Wikipedia. (2006b). Hinduism. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. Available from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Wikipedia. (2006c) Rama. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Wikipedia. (2006d). Rishi,. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi [Accessed April 29, 2006]. Read More