Do you agree that buddhism is a part of sanatana dharma
spirituality

16-Oct-2023, Updated on 10/17/2023 5:34:53 AM

Do you agree that buddhism is a part of sanatana dharma

Playing text to speech

Yes, I agree with the statement

Gautam Buddha , who hailed from a Hindu family, followed the path of sanyas marg, incorporating the principles of yoga from Patanjali Yogsutras, in order to achieve enlightenment through meditation.

After achieving enlightenment, he came to realize that one can attain enlightenment without necessarily having to go through rigorous austerities as required in certain paths of sanatana dharma . Therefore, he documented his findings in the eightfold path.

The Buddhist lexicon predominantly takes inspiration from Sanatana Dharma, for instance.

a) Mahabharat Shantiparva 193/6 defines the term "Buddha" as a representation of intelligence.

b) In the Shantiparva of the Mahabharat, the term "Bhikshu" is mentioned in verse 325/24.

c) Om Mani Padme Hum, a renowned Buddhist chant, encapsulates the inherent significance of Om, a sacred syllable derived from the Vedas and deeply ingrained in Hinduism.

Buddha did not dismiss the Vedas, but instead incorporated significant elements from it into his own teachings, as evident in examples such as:

According to Buddha in Sutta Nipat 192, he states that:

Vidwa, Cha Vedehi, athava sameechcha, Dhammam na uchchavacham gachhati, Bhooripanja.

Individuals often let their sensory organs control their actions and frequently change between being in positions of power and positions of inferiority. The scholar who possesses knowledge of the Vedas comprehends Dharma without hesitation.

Vedagu Gyanarato Sateema, the individual who possesses profound knowledge and understanding, ...

If you aim to develop similar qualities, it is wise to stand by an individual who possesses mastery in the Vedas, is thoughtful, intelligent, and readily offers assistance.

During his lifetime, Gautama Buddha never explicitly expressed a departure from Sanatana Dharma or the teachings of the Vedas. The idea of switching from one religious belief to another has been primarily promoted and emphasized by monotheistic religions with exclusive perspectives. In conducting a census on "religion" in Japan, it is evident that a significant number of individuals adhere to multiple faiths and hold beliefs in various deities from different traditions. 

This is akin to our society as well. Initiating a custom has limited significance in regards to making a lasting impact on our society. That is the reason why scholars who made contributions to Nyaya could also follow both Buddhist and Vedic beliefs . Nyaya is ultimately a philosophy that adheres to the principles of Astika, acknowledging the authority of the Vedas, the significance of varna-ashrama dharma, and the existence of Isvara. It is worth noting that these variants of Nyaya have evolved within different traditions.

Regarding the query, Buddha attained enlightenment in a similar manner to numerous other visionary individuals. His devotees systematized a custom, similar to the devotees of numerous other customs such as Pasupata, Kaula, Arhata, Sri Vaishnava, Sankara Advaita, and more. The ongoing process of evolution, enrichment, and synthesis remains constant. The emergence of new societal forms and the acquisition of fresh knowledge inevitably lead to the presence of challenges.

The Buddha's teachings conveyed that the gods played no role in the emancipation of humanity  and that attaining Liberation (nirvāṇa) is solely dependent on our individual exertions, emphasizing self-reliance and personal effort.

The issue surrounding the ātman (Self) is intricate. Hindus believe that every individual is a manifestation of consciousness (jīvātmans) that has been born in human form as a result of Karma. There exist three distinct Hindu viewpoints on this subject matter.

The Advaitians, also known as non-dualists, assert that all individual souls are ultimately interconnected and merge into Brahman during the state of mokṣa/nirvāṇa.

The Visiṣṭhādvaitins, referred to as qualified non-dualists, believe that although the ātmans share a common essence, they still possess a certain level of individual distinction in the state of mokṣa/nirvāṇa.

The belief in the 'non-self' doctrine (anātman) is held by Buddhists. The Buddha's statement, "After extensive exploration within myself, I could not find a Self," is met with a retort from Hindu polemicists questioning the identity of the one conducting the search.

The concept of anātma refutes the idea that ātman exists as a distinct and independent entity, but it does not dismiss the genuine experience of one's own self. Therefore, it aligns with the principles of Advaita Vedānta, which critics often dismiss as a disguised form of Buddhism known as pracchana buddha-vāda.

The school of thought within Advaita Vedanta shares numerous resemblances with the Madhyamika Buddhist philosophy.

The nature of consciousness and the incarnation process are among the key distinctions. For instance, the concept of karma flowing from one life to another becomes puzzling if there is no identifiable Self. Nevertheless, these philosophical matters hold little significance for the faithful individuals who reside in temples, ashrams, and monasteries.

The primary distinction that significantly affects individuals in the Buddhist community is that Buddhism primarily revolves around monasticism and provides limited benefits for non-monastic practitioners, apart from following the precepts. Buddhism does not entail any specific ceremonial practices relating to events such as weddings, funerals, birth, and significant life milestones. In the locations where Buddhism has spread, these lay customs have either been adapted and transformed from Hinduism or embraced from the native population, such as the case of Shintoism in Japan.

The Thai Buddhist king continues to be recognized as an embodiment of Vishnu, and is bestowed with the title of Rama. The epic tale of the Ramayana adorns the walls of the regal palace. Each Buddhist nation has its own rendition of the Ramayana. The Hindu Royal temple is adorned with statues of the trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The royal Thai Brahmins perform all the ceremonial traditions and customs, including the recent cremation of the king, in accordance with Hindu rituals.

It is important to acknowledge that Buddhism is greatly influenced by Hinduism and is integrated into the fabric of Indian society. Nevertheless, certain individuals on Quora who hold Sinocentric viewpoints about East Asia mistakenly believe that Chinese or Iranian cultures have had the greatest influence on East Asia Buddhism.

Final words

Undeniably, Buddhism has its roots in Hinduism and is an integral part of Sanatana Dharma.

Siddharth Gautam, a member of the Shakya clan, hailed from the Suryavanshi Kshatriya (Rajput) varna. Interestingly, although the Shakya clan was associated with the Brahmin gotra, Gautam.

However, after Siddharth Gautama transformed into Lord Buddh, he introduced the philosophy known as Buddhism.

Buddhism and Hinduism are fundamentally distinct from each other.

Hindus' belief centers around the concept of an eternal soul (atman) that undergoes successive rebirths. Hindus aspire to attain moksha or liberation through their spiritual endeavors, aiming to unite their souls with the Universal Divine Force, also referred to as Brahman or God.

In contrast to the belief in a fixed soul, the Buddha's teachings emphasized that all living beings are composed of an intricate combination of emotions, perceptions, senses, and other intangible elements. Anatta refers to the idea that there is no permanent soul or self.

Despite having numerous deities, Hinduism can be considered a predominantly monotheistic faith. Every deity is perceived as a singular representation of the ultimate Divine Being. In Hinduism, every household is dedicated to a specific divine being. The majority of Hindus demonstrate their devotion (bhakti) towards either Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva in their beliefs and rituals. They consider it to be a crucial component of their religious observance.

In contrast, the Buddha advocated for a perspective that disregards the need for reverence or dedication towards any specific deity. The Buddha acknowledged the potential existence of a Supreme God but emphasized that our own efforts are crucial for achieving enlightenment, rather than relying on the assistance of a higher being.

User
Written By
I am Drishan vig. I used to write blogs, articles, and stories in a way that entices the audience. I assure you that consistency, style, and tone must be met while writing the content. Working with th . . .

Comments

Solutions