BUDHIST AND HINDUISIM PERCEPTIONS ON DEATH

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 Introduction

Buddhism and Hinduism religions have their own perspectives and beliefs towards death.

Both religions believe that one must fully understand the reality during death. They also believe

in rebirth and karma. Buddhism and Hinduism are similar and different in some of their

perspectives on death and dying.

Similarities

There is the notion of karma in both religions. As such, Buddhists and Hindus believe

that there is rebirth after death. In Buddhism, five aggregates are identified as the phases where a

Buddha undergoes karma or rebirth. The aggregates are matter (form), feelings or sensation,

cognition or perception, mental habit performance or karmic formations, and consciousness1.

Hindus believe that Samsara is an imperishable life, where one lives from one life to another

after death2.

Also, both religions believe in fully understanding the ultimate reality for rebirth to end.

For the Buddhism religion, understanding the ultimate reality entails understanding suffering and

impermanence. The last words of Buddha to his disciples is that “decay is inherent”3 meaning

1
Sumegi, Angela. Understanding death: An introduction to ideas of self and the afterlife in
world religions. John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 205.
2
Sumegi, Angela. Understanding death: An introduction to ideas of self and the afterlife in
world religions. John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 176.
3
Sumegi, Angela. Understanding death: An introduction to ideas of self and the afterlife in world
religions. John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 203.
that humans do not live forever. For Hinduism, understanding the process that occurs between

birth and death marks moksha (liberation from rebirth)4.

Differences

Hinduism religion believes that atman (a soul that lives forever) can be reincarnated5.

Hindus believe that one’s soul can be reincarnated from one birth to another after death. As a

result, Hindus practice Moksha, a spiritual practice which seeks the release of the soul. On the

other hand, Buddhism perceives the soul to be annata, in that the soul is nothing but a collection

of senses, feelings, perceptions, or any intangibles that makes up living things. Buddhists hence

desire to end suffering through escaping from rebirths and enter Nirvana6. Nirvana is a state

where there is nothing in existence.

In addition, Buddhism teaches that for Nivarna to be achieved, one must fully understand

impermanence and suffering7. A Buddha believes that life consists of suffering and there is no

life that is permanent. Hinduism however teaches that only through good karma can an

individual be united with Brahman.

Conclusion

4
Sumegi, Angela. Understanding death: An introduction to ideas of self and the afterlife in world
religions. John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 177.
5
Sumegi, Angela. Understanding death: An introduction to ideas of self and the afterlife in
world religions. John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 179.
6
Sumegi, Angela. Understanding death: An introduction to ideas of self and the afterlife in
world religions. John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 211.
7
Sumegi, Angela. Understanding death: An introduction to ideas of self and the afterlife in
world religions. John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 203.
 The perspectives on death and dying of both the Buddhism and Hinduism religions

include the believe in karma or rebirth and that one must comprehend the ultimate reality so as to

stop karma. The differing perspectives include Hindus believe the soul is everlasting and can be

reincarnated whereas Buddhas believe the soul is nonexistent, and only good karma can reunite

Hindus with Brahman whereas Buddhists achieve Nivarna through understanding impermanence

and suffering.