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 anatmanand 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, 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.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Metaphysical and Practical Differences Between Anatman and Atman in Buddhism and Hinduism: A Comparative Analysis
Buddhism and Hinduism, two of the most prominent religions in the world, share certain beliefs but diverge significantly in their approaches to the concept of the self or soul. The fundamental distinction lies in the concepts of Anatman (no-self) in Buddhism and Atman (self) in Hinduism. This essay will explore the metaphysical and practical implications of Anatman and Atman in Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, and Hinduism, and how these concepts shape each religion’s unique approach to the sacred and the path to salvation.
Anatman in Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism
In Theravada Buddhism, Anatman is a core concept that asserts the absence of a permanent, unchanging self or soul. According to this school of thought, the belief in a substantial self leads to attachment, suffering, and rebirth. The doctrine of Anatman emphasizes the impermanent and interconnected nature of all phenomena, including the self. By realizing the non-existence of a self, practitioners can attain liberation from the cycle of samsara.
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism further elaborates on the concept of Anatman by introducing the notion of sunyata (emptiness). In Mahayana philosophy, Anatman reflects the emptiness of inherent existence of all phenomena, including the self. The emphasis is on transcending dualistic views of self and other, ultimately leading to enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. The practice of compassion and wisdom is central to Mahayana teachings on Anatman.
Atman in Hinduism
Advaita Vedanta
In Advaita Vedanta, a major school of Hindu philosophy, Atman is considered the true self or essence of an individual. Atman is believed to be identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness. The goal of life in Advaita Vedanta is to realize this identity between individual self (Atman) and universal self (Brahman) through spiritual practice and self-inquiry. This realization leads to moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Bhakti Hinduism
In contrast to Advaita Vedanta, Bhakti Hinduism emphasizes devotion to a personal deity as a means of realizing the true self (Atman) and achieving union with God. Bhakti practitioners cultivate love, surrender, and service to their chosen deity, viewing Atman as a spark of divine consciousness that seeks reunion with its source. Through devotion and worship, individuals aim to purify their hearts and minds, ultimately attaining spiritual liberation.
Comparative Analysis
The concept of Anatman in Buddhism challenges the notion of a permanent, independent self, emphasizing the interconnectedness and impermanence of all phenomena. By recognizing the absence of a fixed self, practitioners can overcome attachment and ignorance, leading to liberation from suffering. In contrast, Hinduism’s belief in Atman as the eternal self or essence highlights the unity between individual consciousness and universal consciousness. Through practices like meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion, adherents seek to realize this unity and attain spiritual liberation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the metaphysical differences between Anatman in Buddhism and Atman in Hinduism reflect each religion’s unique perspective on the nature of the self and its relation to the sacred. While Buddhism emphasizes non-self as a path to liberation from suffering, Hinduism celebrates the eternal essence of the self as a means to union with the divine. Understanding these concepts and their practical implications can deepen our appreciation for the diverse ways in which individuals seek enlightenment and salvation in their spiritual journeys.
