Compare between Bhagavad-Gita and Buddhist conception of Human Person.
Compare between Bhagavad-Gita and Buddhist conception of Human Person.
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The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text in Hinduism, and Buddhist teachings share some similarities in their conceptions of the human person, yet they also differ in fundamental ways.
**Similarities:**
1. **Impermanence:** Both traditions acknowledge the impermanent nature of the self and the world. In Buddhism, the concept of Anatta (non-self) emphasizes the absence of a permanent, unchanging self. Similarly, the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the impermanence of the physical body and the eternal nature of the soul (Atman), suggesting a transient aspect to the worldly existence.
2. **Ethical Conduct:** Both traditions emphasize ethical conduct as a crucial aspect of spiritual practice. The Bhagavad Gita, in the context of Arjuna’s moral dilemma, addresses the importance of righteous action and duty (dharma). Buddhism, through the Noble Eightfold Path, advocates ethical principles such as right action, right speech, and right livelihood.
**Differences:**
1. **Existence of Self (Atman):** The Bhagavad Gita posits the existence of an eternal and unchanging self, Atman, which undergoes cycles of birth and rebirth (samsara). In contrast, Buddhism rejects the notion of an eternal, unchanging self and teaches the doctrine of Anatta, asserting that there is no permanent self or soul.
2. **Path to Liberation:** While both traditions prescribe paths to liberation, they differ in their approaches. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the path of devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), and disciplined action (karma yoga) as means to attain liberation (moksha). Buddhism, on the other hand, advocates the Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, right mindfulness, and right concentration, as a way to achieve Nirvana, the cessation of suffering.
3. **Cyclic Existence:** The Bhagavad Gita outlines the concept of samsara, a cycle of birth and rebirth driven by karma, where the soul undergoes multiple lifetimes until it achieves liberation. In Buddhism, the cycle of samsara is also acknowledged, but the goal is to break free from this cycle and attain Nirvana, a state beyond suffering and rebirth.
In summary, both the Bhagavad Gita and Buddhism share certain philosophical ground in recognizing impermanence and the importance of ethical conduct. However, they diverge significantly in their views on the nature of the self, the path to liberation, and the ultimate goal of human existence, reflecting the distinctive doctrines of Hinduism and Buddhism.