Paper: Although Buddhism and Hinduism share similar beliefs, their approaches to the self, or the ‘soul’ are very different. Explain the metaphysical and practical distinctions between anatman and atman, and how these concepts tie into each religion’s unique approach to the sacred (god/gods) and the path to salvation. Make sure you specify which branches of Buddhism and Hinduism your analysis is tackling.
Length: 1500-2000 words, in addition to a bibliography/works cited page
Formatting: Double-spaced, 12-pt font size, Arial or Times New Roman Font
Bibliography: a minimum of 3 academic sources; preferably peer-reviewed publications and books. One of these must be a book reference. These academic sources are in addition to your textbook/weekly readings/lectures. Do not use Wikipedia as an Internet source.
The textbook and required readings will not have enough information about any of the topic questions above to formulate substantial responses. To succeed in this assignment, set aside sufficient time to research the chosen topic thoroughly.
Pay special attention to the following items:
- The information in your paper. Is it correct? Is it detailed? Do you demonstrate basic knowledge of the religious tradition from which the concept is taken? Is this knowledge evident in your description? You must use at least three academic sources in your paper. One of them must be a book reference.
- How your information is presented. This includes the way the it is organized and language skills such as spelling, grammar, and proper sentence structure.
- The quality of your analysis, how well you support the main argument of your paper.
1. How different is Buddhism and Hinduism from Jainism? What, according to the Buddha, is the human problem and how can humans overcome this problem?
You have two questions to answer here. First question is about finding the differences between Hinduism & Buddhism, and Jainism. My suggestion is to follow these steps;
1. See the grading rubric underneath the midterm questions.
2. See the list of some aspects of religions in the table below, and decide which one you want to focus on. Let’s say you decided to focus on aspects [1] and [2], the fundamental beliefs and rituals of the three religions, the next move is then
3. Identify the basic teachings/ beliefs of the three religion you want to discuss such as Ahimsa, aparigraha, samsara [ Jainism], the four Noble Truth, the eight Noble paths [Buddhism], and yoga, Samkhya, etc [Hinduism]. As for rituals, as examples, let’s go with meditation, yoga, puja [Hinduism], meditation, socially engaged Buddhism activities [Buddhism], vegetarianism, fasting, meditation, etc [Jainism].
4. From there you can see in what aspects they differ from each other. list those differences and elaborate them.
5. Your essay The essay should have a good organization which includes a beginning, a body, and a conclusion
A beginning/ introductory paragraph will contain thesis statement and elaboration of it. Thesis statement is one or two sentences at the beginning or end of the first paragraph which states central idea/ focus of the essay. In your case, the focus of the paper is clear, that is, to discuss the differences between the three religions. The differences which you will discover after following the steps above. One example of thesis statement could be “the essay seeks to discuss the differences between Buddhism & Hinduism, and Jainism in terms of the ritual of meditation and the teaching on liberation/ enlightenment”.
The body of paragraph will be the discussion of the issue being stated in the thesis statement. This part can consist as many as sentences as possible. For this question, you will have at least two paragraphs. The first paragraph is for the first question on the differences. And the second is for the second question on what Buddhism sees as the human problem, general problem which every human is faced with, and how Buddhism thinks we can overcome that problem.
The conclusion will be about summaries of what have been discussed, perhaps accompanied by reflection of future research plan, suggestions, lesson learned, etc.
components of the religions
Buddhism
Hinduism
Jainism
1. Fundamental beliefs/ teachings
2. Forms of ritual, worship/liturgy, special ceremonies, particular/distinctive practices
3. Major religious festivals or sacred days (and their dates and days during the year) they celebrate
4. symbols, images, cultic objects (including sacred scriptures, if of artistic or aesthetic merit) of the religions.
5. why and how are the religions come about in the first place?
6. What the sources of authority or basis for the religion (such as inspired scriptures, teachers, direct revelations, and the like)
7. Gender related issues