With the Current of the Years Trivia Quiz

Answer: Both

Both Hinduism and Buddhism hold a belief in reincarnation, also called the rebirth or transmigration. It is the idea that a person may have to live several lives before achieving liberation, the end of the cycle of birth and rebirth, which both call nirvana.

Although they do not agree on how exactly to achieve liberation, and have other different terms used to describe it, they do agree that it is their highest spiritual goal. In Hinduism those who have reached liberation are typically called jivanmuktas, and it is common in Buddhism to call liberated beings Buddhas.

Answer: Hinduism

With ancient origins, the caste system was divided into four primary castes -- Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras -- as well as a fifth, "untouchable" caste. People were placed in castes according to their birth, and were unable to change their place in life. Over the centuries there has been much criticism of the system and movements demanding reform.

In spite of attempts to abolish the system, there are still believed to be 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes in India; many are related to a particular occupation.

Answer: Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama began his life as a prince sometime during the 600s-400s BC. He was a follower of Hinduism, was married, and led a happy life inside the palace walls until, as a young man, he saw what life was like on the other side of the walls. He gave up all that he had and began a life of meditation; one day while meditating under a Bodhi tree he found enlightenment and became the Buddha, teaching others how they could also find enlightenment.

The fact that Gautama originally followed Hinduism points to the reason why there are so many similarities in the two religions.

Answer: Both

Both Hinduism and Buddhism have a belief in karma, the idea that what goes around comes around. What a person does in one life, can determine what happens to them in the future. While both religions have the same basic belief that past actions cause pain and suffering in the present, the doctrine is interpreted a bit differently in each. Hinduism focuses on achieving karma through ritualistic devotion, like saying prayers and chanting; Buddhism emphasizes the importance of righteous action.

Answer: Hinduism

Hinduism is believed to be one of the oldest religions practiced in the world today, with customs and traditions that date back approximately 4,000 years. Their religious texts, called Vedas, are a collection of writings that contains religious songs and poetry, as well as explanations regarding the beliefs and rituals practiced in Hinduism. There are also scriptures which contain the beliefs of Hindu philosophers and epic stories that are used to teach values.

The sacred book in Buddhism is called the Tipitaka. It contains the teachings of Buddha, as well as rules for monasteries, and an analysis of Buddha's teachings.

Answer: Both

While both religions believe in dharma as duty or order, their definition of the term is quite different. In Hinduism, dharma is viewed as the religious and moral laws that direct the way a person lives and acts. There is dharma which dictates how an individual acts according to their station in life, as well as dharma that is the same and applies to all people.

Buddhists believe that dharma is a universal truth, part of the cosmic order, which applies to all people all of the time. The term is used to identify everything that was taught to the people by Buddha.

Answer: Both

Hinduism was introduced to the Indus Valley sometime around 1900-1400 BC by tribes of Aryan invaders, who brought their beliefs with them when they settled there, and blended their ideas with other people who already lived in the area. After subjugating the people in the Indus Valley, many of the tribes moved on into the Ganges Valley, where they stayed and developed a new civilization.

Buddhism was founded in Lumbini, which is located in Nepal today. After he found enlightenment, he began to travel and preach his messages. His first sermon is believed to have been delivered in what is Isipatana, India, today.

The Indian subcontinent is a huge landmass, and, although the name may be a bit misleading, consists of more modern countries than India! Pakistan and Nepal are considered to be part of the area, along with Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and others.

Answer: Buddhism

The goal of the religion is to achieve enlightenment, which Buddha believed could be done without the worship of any god or gods. There are no personal gods in Buddhism that were included as part of the religion by Buddha himself, however, this does not mean that a person cannot believe in deities and still practice Buddhism.

It just means that the religion does not recognize the worship of any particular deity.

Answer: Hinduism

Hinduism practices a belief in many gods, with the principles ones being Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. All of these are considered to be part of the Hindu idea of Brahman, an all powerful force in the world to which everything is connected.

They hope that one day, through the cycle of reincarnation, that they will be able to attain moksha, which is viewed as a union with Brahman and the release from the pain of the continuous cycle of rebirth.

Answer: Buddhism

After Buddha meditated for 48 days, he realized that life was a cycle of suffering and pain - which could be overcome. Suffering ceases by overcoming ignorance, and by letting go of the desire of things that really cannot be achieved. Buddha preached the importance of recognizing the Four Noble Truths, which outline the reasons for suffering and pain.

In addition, following the Eightfold Path can help one focus on easing pain and suffering by overcoming desire. It is believed that the truths taught by following the Eightfold Path can help end of the cycle of reincarnation and help one achieve nirvana, a union with the universe.