Principles of Religion

Elie Wisel, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dalai Lama can be said as some of the most important people to their country for they bring extraordinary principles especially in their religion. Elie Wisel believed in Jewish religion, Mahatma Gandhi believed in Hindu religion, while Dalai Lama believed in Buddhist religion. They were all men who have different principles and ideologies when it came to their religion. However, even if there are differences that may be seen into their own perception of religion, there will always be commonalities that will bring them into one belief.Elie Wisel was born in Sighet, Transylvania on 30 September 1928.

He had three sisters but he was the only son in the family. His life can be said as a tragic situation in human life – poor and abandoned by the society. He and his father were separated to his mother and three sisters in Auschiwits, Birkeneau. They thought that his mother and sisters were murdered. After a year, his father died that is why he lived in an orphanage but he and his two old sisters saw each other and they were reunited.Even though these situations happened to his life, he was still convicted to study so he became a journalist in 1948 at Sorbonne.

After he wrote and sell his book entitled Night, he went to New York. Until now, Wisel is still living with his son and wife in New York. Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India on 2 October 1869. In 1900’s, he became one of the most respectful political and spiritual leaders. People called Gandhi “Mahatma”, which means Great Soul.

He was also became the father of the Indian Nation when he helped the Indians to be freed during the British colonization.Gandhi had four children to his wife Kasturba. His family fixed his marriage to Kasturba at the age of 13. Mahatma Gandhi went to London to study law.

In 1891, he returned to India to practice his forte. After two years, he went to South Africa to do legal works. However, going to South Africa was not easy for Gandhi because it was the period of British colonization and he need to help Indian people for they were abused when they attempt to claim their rights as British. For twenty-one years, he stayed in South Africa to secure the rights of Indians.Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.

He was born on July 6, 1935 in Lhamo Dhondrub. Dalai Lama came from a family of peasant. At the age of two (2), his holiness was already recognized and soon followed the 13th Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are said to be the physical connection of Buddha to people, to show its compassion to Buddhist religion and to serve people. Dalai Lama started to study at the age of six (6) and he completed the Degree of Geshe Lharampa or the Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy at the age of twenty-five (25).Before he became the 14th Dalai Lama, he went through different examination in different monastic universities such as the Deprung, Ganden, and Sera.

Judaism (religion of Elie Wisel) Judaism is known as the religion of the Jews. Jews believed there is only one God who created the universe and has internal connection with the Jews. They also believed that God is always there, no matter where you go and what you do. Jews’ relationship to God is not just a simple God-follower relationship because it also has a covenant relationship.Jewish religious beliefs are mostly based on home and family activities.

A Jew is a Jew because his or her roots are Jews especially his or her mother and father. This Jew did not also adopt other religion aside from Judaism. If someone wanted to convert to Judaism, it is possible but it is not easy. Jews believed that obeying the laws of God is not just on physical obedience but also their spirit who obey and follow the laws of God without hesitations and fears. Hinduism (religion of Mahatma Gandhi)Hindu believed in one God, which is known as Brahman or the eternal origin who made all the foundations of existence. However, though they believed in one God, they also believe in three principal Gods such as Brahma – the creator of the Universe, Vishnu – the preserver of the universe, and Shiva – the destroyer of the universe.

Aside from these principal gods, they also believe in other Gods such as Mahadevi or the great goddess, Indra or the God of storms, Agni or the Vedic god of fire, and Veruma or the god who influence the Hindus until today. Buddhism (religion of Dalai Lama)Buddhist believed in eight-fold path. Karma is the most popular teachings of Buddhism. Buddhist believed that whatever you do as its own consequences. Rebirth or reincarnation is the belief of Buddhist where the consciousness continues after death. Liberation from karma was also taught in the life of Buddhism, where Buddhists should follow Buddha’s path to escape the cycle of suffering and craving.

The Four Noble Truths are also essential to the religion of Buddhism. Enlightenment is known by Buddhist as the highest goal of life. Dharma is the way of going to Nirvana.Buddhist also believed that in order to avoid suffering, there should be peace of mind through meditation to overcome craving and hatred. Comparison and Contrast of Judaism and Hinduism Both Judaism and Hinduism religion believed in one God, even if Hindus have other principal Gods, they still both believed that God (for Jews) and Brahma (for Hindus) created the world and is known as the greatest individual above all.

However, Jews’ perception is that God is always there but Hindus’ perception on the other hand is that Brahma’s creation was already done.Conversely, even if the Hindus believed in different kinds of Gods, their beliefs are also equivalent to the God of the Jews. The Jews believe that God preserves its creation of the universe, which was represented by Vishnu as the preserver of the Universe. In short, the Jews perceived all their beliefs and deeds into different gods but they both believe there is one god who made the universe and existence of life. Comparison and Contrast of Judaism and Buddhism Jews’ religion was based on the laws of God while Buddhists’ religion was based on the teachings of Buddha.

The difference between these two religions is that Jews believed in God but Buddhists believed in Buddha. The Buddhists also believed that there is karma while the Jews believed the God would always prevail in everything they do. Buddhists also believed in Reincarnation or Rebirth and Enlightenment while the Jews do not have this concept. On the other hand, the commonalities within these two religions are their teachings and/or laws. Both religions have their sets of laws that need to be obeyed or they will be put into tests.

They also both believed that in order to have an eternal life, they must practice the laws of God (for Jews) and Buddha (for Buddhists). The most common between these two religions is that they have both basis of their religious concept – laws of God from Abraham for the Jews while the Noble Truth and Eightfold Path from Buddha for the Buddhists. Comparison and Contrast of Hinduism and Buddhism Hindus’ religion based their beliefs on the different gods who represent important aspect of their life and living.Buddhists’ religion on the other hand based their beliefs on their laws and teachings coming from their Buddha. Hindus do not have certain laws that will conceptualize and their basis of faith while Buddhists has.

However, they still have commonalities – their level of faith. The Buddhists believed in their Eightfold Path, which they have eight levels of belief in order to go to Nirvana. The Hindus believe that there are level of God who made the world such as the three principal Gods who made the Universe, who preserve the Universe, and the one who destroy the Universe. Comparison of Judaism, Hinduism, and BuddhismThese three religions all believed in one extreme being – God, Brahma, and Buddha.

All three religions also have its own way of keeping the faith and knowing their Gods as the greatest being in the universe. All these three religions also have their way of praising their gods, which bring their own enlightenment and survival from all the negativities in the real world. These three religions also have their own places to shed their faith and praise their god as they have extreme relationship with their God(s) as their armor and shepherd from fears and anxieties in this world.