Eastern Religions Comparison and Contrast with Christianity Essay

The “Eastern World” (or East Asia) is home to many religions which all have similarities yet have differences. Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism (Daoism), Confucianism, and Shintoism call countries like Japan, China, and India their homeland. These religions were originated in this area of the world. These religions are false and share fundamental differences from Christianity. They all share a common difference with Christianity which makes Christianity so much easier and simpler. To give a better understanding of each religion, each will be explained, compared, and contrasted with each other and Christianity. 

Hinduism as evolved into many sects but each one maintains certain traditions and truths. The caste system is part of Hindu culture. Each person was divided into a caste based upon their occupation. There are four castes: the Brahmans, the Kshatriyas, the Vaisyas, and the Shudras. The highest class, the Brahmans, are priests. The Kshatriyas are the kings or rulers and the mighty warriors. Merchants and Farmers are put into the third class of Vaisyas. Finally, the least class, the Shudras, are laborers. Outside, of the castes are the people who are not part of the caste system or have been removed from it. These people, the untouchables, are considered outcasts of Hindu society. A person is not able to choose his caste. He is born into it and must stay in that caste his entire life, usually. Hinduism has a three-in-one God named Brahman. It is composed of a Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer. Hindus strive to reach a state of nirvana, or state of nothingness. If they do not get there by the end of their life they are reincarnated into another being. They may be reincarnated into almost anything, but it depends on their karma. Depending on the good and evil deeds done, they will enter a certain caste. Much like Hinduism, Buddhism was also founded in India as an offspring of Hinduism.