Free Paper Sample on Spiritual Diversity: Exploring Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism

Introduction

The ultimate of Confucius, Buddhism, and Hinduism, as indicated in the Analects, Dhammapada, and the Bhagavad Gita, are constantly similar since they teach the same moral concept and some similar rituals. Nonetheless, they differ in the manner of interpreting their message as the Bhagavad Gita, and the Dhammapada are religious texts while the Analects is a secular text. Besides, their difference lay in the concept of the human life cycle.

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Similarities

As per the texts, the ultimate goal of individual philosophy is to attain freedom. Bhagavad and Dhammapada texts are to obtain freedom from the cycle of death, rebirth, and birth and Nibbana and Nirvana's accomplishment. While for Analects, texts teach a lesson to attain freedom from evil acts. The path to attaining Samara's freedom in the Bhagavad and the Dhammapada is through yoga and the Eightfold Path. Whereas for the Analects texts, the greater self is achieved through ritual yoga.

Ritual yoga is common in both texts. In Bhagavad Gita, yoga is part of the ritual because, as Krishna, he expounds that one needs to practice it with diligence to achieve a greater self, known as Nirvana. (6:15). Similar to Confucius, who believes in ritual to achieve a greater self. Further, he believes that human beings should have goodness in everything their conduct and maintain that goodness ritually through yoga. On the same line of thought, the Dhammapada claims that “Of paths, the eightfold is the best… [And] detachment is the best of dhammas.” (20:273). Like yoga, the eight-fold path is utilized to institute control over one’s speech, view, attitude, effort, concentration, and mindfulness. While the ritual practices of eightfold and yoga are different, they all offer a way to achieve greater control over the body and mind.

Another similarity is in terms of the main teaching. Both texts teach the importance of detachment from evil. Krishna” supreme joy of calm mind and tranquil passion, who has become one with Brahman and is wholly free of evil.” Confucius analects 2.2” The three hundred poems are summarized into one single expression: Think no evil. On the topic, the Dhammapada states that an individual must pursue a path away from the attachment of delusions and hate. Such attachments can be viewed as a bridge and a river; when one gives up those attachments, the attachments create a bridge that enables them to cross the river. When one gives in to the attachments, they slide into the river, and the probability of reaching their destination safely diminishes.

Differences

Both texts have the purpose of teaching and having life lessons entrenched within them. Though each text can be interpreted differently, they both teach moral values and practices. Nonetheless, their message is different because Dhammapada and the Bhagavad Gita are religiously held from Hinduism and Buddhism, while Confucius Analects is primarily a secular collection.

Both texts also entail the human life cycle: the Bhagavad Gita and Dhammapada talks of Samara. For instance, in the Bhagavad Gita Krishna talks of the human lifecycle to Arjuna, a different subject arises the personified one passes through infancy, adolescence, and then old age, then achieves another form; in this, the wise are informed. (Gita, 14). On the other side, the Confucius Analects stated, "At fifteen, I set my mind upon learning. At thirty, I took my stand. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the will of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was attuned. At seventy, I follow all the desires of my heart without breaking any rule." (Analects, 2.4). Confucius's talks concentrate on what one needs to do to become a virtuous member of society. Therefore, the Analects talks of the human life cycle from a deeper perspective, unlike the other two texts. They are religious-based and believe in reincarnation, and present human life is just a small portion of an endless cycle of rebirth and reincarnation.

As tabled in the Dhammapada and Bhagavad Gita, Nibbana, and Nirvana are the same since they both indicate that an individual has attained freedom from Samara's cycle. The Bhagavad Gita suggests that one who has realized himself from attachment is a victor and no longer seeks the outcome produced from the action and is self-controlled in intelligence, joining Krishna directly. (18:49-55). In addition, the Gita also indicates that once an individual does not seek the outcome obtained from the action and is self-governed in intelligence, he is freed from the York of rebirth. (2:51).

Link the Texts to My Spiritual Beliefs

I am Christian, and Christianity supports good moral values such as kindness, goodness, and forgiveness, among other virtues. Further, the Bible guides Christians in the spiritual journey to utilize biblical worldview to challenging ethical issues comprising marriage and divorce, poverty and wealth, birth control and abortion, environmental stewardship, business practices, euthanasia, telling the truth, and understanding the Ten Commandments, among others. The purpose of this is to avoid what the Gita and the Dhammapada attachments to earthly attachments. Hence, they teach the same concept when it comes to ethical and moral issues. Further, the texts, especially the Gita and the Dhammapada, believe in life after death; that is why there is a cycle a portion of rebirth.

The Impact of the Readings

The readings have exposed me to the different worldviews that have helped me understand various cultural, religious, and social practices of groups of people. Seeing similarities in some of the concepts has helped me gain a positive attitude toward other religions, thus increasing other religions' ease.

Works Cited

The Confucian analysis, the great learning & the doctrine of the mean. Cosimo, Inc. (2009). https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QUCZEPUyvBAC&oi

The Dhammapada. Oxford University Press, (1987). https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QUCZEPUyvBAC&oi

Gita, Bhagavad. "Bhagavad Gita."(2016).ttp://www2.hawaii.edu/~freeman/courses/phil101/06.%20Bhagavad%20Gita.pd.