Religion Specific Comparison and Contrast Term Paper

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Buddhism and Jainism

Based on Michael Molloy's three patterns for comparing and contrasting religions, there seems to be a great deal of similarity between Buddhism and Jainism and marked differences between Hinduism and Taoism (Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, & Change, 2002.)

To start with, Buddhism and Jainism both meet the definition of religion as a 'spiritual path' and Carl Jung's description of religion as meeting the need for personal fulfillment or "individuation." Buddhism and Jainism also share a common prophetic and mystical orientation: nontheistic in nature; believing in guidance from enlightened beings (the Buddhist 'bodhisattva' and the Jain 'tirthankara'). Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, was himself believed to be the twenty-fourth 'tirthankara' and according to Buddhist Cosmology, an enlightened being is born in each era (Gautama Buddha is regarded as the fourth Buddha).

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Both religions are similar in upholding the path of 'dharma' and 'ahimsa.' The two religions also share the same worldview in that both preach the doctrine of 'karma' and reincarnation and achieving salvation.

Buddhism and Jainism do share some common philosophical ground with Hinduism in terms of a cyclical concept of time and the belief in 'karma,' but according to Gavin Flood both Buddhism and Jainism stem from the shramana current of religious thought, as against Hinduism, which has its roots in the Brahmanic or Vedic school of thought (An Introduction to Hinduism, 1996.) In fact, both Buddhism and Jainism rejected many aspects of Hinduism such as the Vedic beliefs and the system of castes.

The first elemental difference between Hinduism and Taoism is the transcendental nature of the former….....

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https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/religion-specific-comparison-contrast-133961