Does Hinduism have something that Buddhism lacks?

betaboy

Some people are able to meditate, they can focus on the breath, be aware of sensations and thoughts etc. etc. Others, otoh, find it impossible to even sit down for a minute. Their minds race along various issues, never quiet enough to observe anything.

The Hindu will say this is karma, each individual carries certain impressions from his past births, which is why they face different problems, their minds respond differently, and so forth. So according to the Hindu, you ought to reduce as much karma as you can (with good deeds, chanting mantras, devotion etc.) before you can even think of meditation. Else, your mind will be restless and meditation a waste of time. The Buddhist, otoh, will say just meditate, keep trying over and over and over.

Any ideas?

federica

Moved to 'Comparing Religions'.
Take it away, guys.

how

A restless mind, accepted, is no hinderance to meditation but
judging meditation to be hindered by a restless mind is a waste of time.

Meditation reduces karma so for a Buddhist it's a win/win approach.

Comparing Buddhism & Hinduism is like comparing apples & oranges.
Just because you choose to take a bite out of one doesn't mean that the other one is lacking.

SattvaPaul

Besides, all those things you mention (good deeds, chanting mantras, devotion etc.) are also present in Buddhism and may be taught by a teacher to precisely weaken the impact of karma. For example, you might do prostrations or chanting and then find that your mind settles down much more easily.

PrairieGhost

Very much in my opinion only: Hinduism is older, culturally richer and more complete. Buddhism is less culturally specific, and more accessible to westerners. But Hinduism in any case is not monolithic.

Hinduism does not have a "unified system of belief encoded in declaration of faith or a creed",[50] but is rather an umbrella term comprising the plurality of religious phenomena originating and based on the Vedic traditions.[51][52][53][54]

The characteristic of comprehensive tolerance to differences in belief, and Hinduism's openness, makes it difficult to define as a religion according to traditional Western conceptions.[55] To its adherents, Hinduism is the traditional way of life,[56] and because of the wide range of traditions and ideas incorporated within or covered by it, arriving at a comprehensive definition of the term is problematic.[50] While sometimes referred to as a religion, Hinduism is more often defined as a religious tradition.[4] It is therefore described as both the oldest of the world's religions, and the most diverse.[3][57][58][59] Most Hindu traditions revere a body of religious or sacred literature, the Vedas, although there are exceptions. Some Hindu religious traditions regard particular rituals as essential for salvation, but a variety of views on this co-exist. Some Hindu philosophies postulate a theistic ontology of creation, of sustenance, and of destruction of the universe, yet some Hindus are atheists. Hinduism is sometimes characterized by the belief in reincarnation (samsara), determined by the law of karma, and the idea that salvation is freedom from this cycle of repeated birth and death. However, other religions of the region, such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, also believe in karma, outside the scope of Hinduism.[50] Hinduism is therefore viewed as the most complex of all of the living, historical world religions.[60] Despite its complexity, Hinduism is not only one of the numerically largest faiths, but is also the oldest living major tradition on earth, with roots reaching back into prehistory.[61]

A definition of Hinduism, given by the first Vice President of India, who was also a prominent theologian, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, states that Hinduism is not "just a faith", but in itself is related to the union of reason and intuition. Radhakrishnan explicitly states that Hinduism cannot be defined, but is only to be experienced.[62] Similarly some academics suggest that Hinduism can be seen as a category with "fuzzy edges", rather than as a well-defined and rigid entity. Some forms of religious expression are central to Hinduism, while others are not as central but still remain within the category. Based on this, Ferro-Luzzi has developed a 'Prototype Theory approach' to the definition of Hinduism.[63]

Problems with the single definition of what is actually meant by the term 'Hinduism' are often attributed to the fact that Hinduism does not have a single or common historical founder. Hinduism, or as some say 'Hinduisms,' does not have a single system of salvation and has different goals according to each sect or denomination. The forms of Vedic religion are seen not as an alternative to Hinduism, but as its earliest form, and there is little justification for the divisions found in much western scholarly writing between Vedism, Brahmanism, and Hinduism.[11][64]

A definition of Hinduism is further complicated by the frequent use of the term "faith" as a synonym for "religion".[50] Some academics[65] and many practitioners refer to Hinduism using a native definition, as Sanātana Dharma, a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the eternal law", or the "eternal way".[66][67]]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

PrairieGhost

Therefore I agree with the O.P., in that Hinduism has a richer faith follower tradition, whereas Buddhism is more of a practical manual made into a religion, so yes, Hinduism may have more to say in terms of beneficial actions and moral teachings by and for those who cannot concentrate in meditation, and find they will not persevere with it.

Buddhism is a complete path, however.

Invincible_summer

Some people are able to meditate, they can focus on the breath, be aware of sensations and thoughts etc. etc. Others, otoh, find it impossible to even sit down for a minute. Their minds race along various issues, never quiet enough to observe anything.

The Hindu will say this is karma, each individual carries certain impressions from his past births, which is why they face different problems, their minds respond differently, and so forth. So according to the Hindu, you ought to reduce as much karma as you can (with good deeds, chanting mantras, devotion etc.) before you can even think of meditation. Else, your mind will be restless and meditation a waste of time. The Buddhist, otoh, will say just meditate, keep trying over and over and over.

Any ideas?

@betaboy, why do you think meditating with a restless mind is a "waste of time?" It's not called a "practice" for nothing. Do you think it's a waste of time to run just because you know you can't run a 10k race right off the bat?

And, like @SattvaPaul mentioned, devotional rituals, mantras, dana, etc are all part of Buddhism too... :-/

betaboy

In Hinduism, there is a concept called vasanas, impressions from previous births which determine our behavioral patterns in this birth. To destroy these impressions, according to Hinduism, you must do karma yoga. Only after destroying them are you ready for meditation. I am not sure if there's anything like vasanas or karma yoga in Buddhism - it jumps directly to meditation, which I find weird.

SattvaPaul

@betaboy,

As far as I know in Buddhism there are teachings about karmic impressions (not sure if they're called vasanas) and you could say there is karma yoga (good actions) but the impressions are not destroyed until Buddhahood/Arhatship. Meditation would be one tool in purifying karmic impressions, but not the only one.

Invincible_summer

@betaboy - Keep in mind there are also branches of Buddhism that don't meditate much at all (Nichiren, Pure Land) and focus on mantra/devotional practices

Nathaniel839

So according to the Hindu, you ought to reduce as much karma as you can (with good deeds, chanting mantras, devotion etc.) before you can even think of meditation. Else, your mind will be restless and meditation a waste of time. The Buddhist, otoh, will say just meditate, keep trying over and over and over.

I think you just answered this question yourself... :orange:

DairyLama

To destroy these impressions, according to Hinduism, you must do karma yoga. Only after destroying them are you ready for meditation.

Is that not similar to the preparatory practices in Tibetan Buddhism?

andyrobyn

betaboy said:

In Hinduism, there is a concept called vasanas, impressions from previous births which determine our behavioral patterns in this birth. To destroy these impressions, according to Hinduism, you must do karma yoga. Only after destroying them are you ready for meditation. I am not sure if there's anything like vasanas or karma yoga in Buddhism - it jumps directly to meditation, which I find weird.

I am not sure about your interpretation of Hindu practice, in Tibetan Buddhistm practice meditation is enhanced with other practices, rather than delayed.

how

There seems to be as many versions of the Truth, the light and the Way, as there are Ego's.

lamaramadingdong

Hindus.

andyrobyn

how said:

There seems to be as many versions of the Truth, the light and the Way, as there are Ego's.

It can appear this way - if that is how one looks at it.