Student Essay on How Hinduism and Buddhism Affects Modern-Day India

How Hinduism and Buddhism Affects Modern-Day India

Summary:   Descriptions of the Hindu and Buddhism religions and how they shaped the history of India. Hinduism was responsible for the caste system in which one's place in society was preordained by family status and which limited people to specified occupations.

The religion of Hinduism developed around 1500 B.C., but didn't have a founder. Buddhism, on the other hand, was founded in 563 B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as "the enlightened one." Because both religions had many beliefs from their cultures, it has affected the society and people of India today. Hinduism influences India today from their caste system and religious writings. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path derived from Buddhism also affects modern day Hindus.

The caste system was brought by the Aryans when they invaded India in 1500 B.C. It made social classes and was based on varna or one's occupation. At the very top are the Brahmans, which were the elite. They were the religious leaders of priests. They received formal education and were the only ones that were allowed to read and write. The caste below them is the Kshatriyas or the rulers and warriors. They led the government and armies. Below them, are the Vaishyas, which were the middle-class. The Vashiyas were merchants, shopkeepers, and herders of cows and sheep. Because many Hindus fell under this caste, it had the biggest population of all levels. At the bottom of the caste system are the Shudras, who were unskilled laborors and servants. On January 26, 1950, the caste system was abolished and became an illegal practice. Even though it was the "soul" and kept the country together, it was unequal and discriminated at the same time. It affects India because today, the lifestyle is different than it was back then. You don't have to be reborn again to be what you aim to be in life.

The ancient Hindu culture also had many religious writings and texts written in the Sanskrit language that contained many beleifs.The Vedas is considered the world's oldest writings that date back as early as 2000 B.C. It is the most sacred text to Hindus and means knowledge and wisdom. It contains hymns, prayers, and sacrifacial rituals, which males only from the top three castes were permitted to read it. The biggest belefis in it are about karma, dharma, reincarnation, and how to become free. Karma means that for every action there is a consequence, good or bad. Dharma is one's duties to life and is primarily dictated by your position or caste. You are to do what is expected of you, in other words. Reincarnation is the process of rebirth lifetime after lifetime. Becoming free from this ongoing process is reached when one reaches Moksha, the ultimate goal of a Hindu. All these writings affect the society of India today because they are guidelines to how one should live. Today, nearly every hindu home has a shrine for praying to the gods.

On the forty-ninth day of Siddhartha Gautama's meditation, he reached enlightenment, becoming the Buddha or the "awakened one." He came up with the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to summarize up his wonderful experience. The first noble truth is that suffering is always present in life. The second truth is desire is the cause of all suffering. The third truth states that in order to rid oneself of suffering, they should rid themselves of their desires, including their "needs and wants." The fourth truth is that the Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines that lead to Nirvana. It's most important rules are non-violence, honesty, and no greed. Non-violence was important because you are not suppose to injure any living things. Because of this, Buddhists have never been involved in wars. Preventing greed, prevents suffering. The Eightfold Path affects the people of India today because they are a set of rules or "guidelines," similar to the Ten Commandments.

All in all, many beleifs of Hinduism and Buddhism affect how the society of India lives today. The caste system was a different lifestyle than it is today. Religious writings from Hinduism explains how a Hindu should live their life. Siddhartha's Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path are guidelines to Nirvana that are followed to this day. A lot of beliefs carry on from time to time and can change someone for the better or worse.