Asian Religions vs. Abrahamic Faiths: Key Differences in Beliefs, God, Salvation and the Afterlife

Asian religions which include Hindu gather index, Buddhism and Taoism are also different in their take on spiritualism, faith and practice. They are quite different from what may be termed as the ‘religions of the book’, which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam respectively, and their affiliated belief systems. The major differences with these Asian traditions are in the attitude towards of sacred texts, concepts of divinity, views on the afterlife, approach to salvation or liberation, and their ethical and moral frameworks.

1. Sacred Texts vs. Diverse Teachings

For Judaism, Christianity, and Islam holy books are taken as the direct word of God. It was assumed that the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran contain direct commandments which give proper moral and religious direction. It is in these texts where followers are supposed to live as per the teachings of the respective leaders. Asian religions are not centered around a book that supposedly is given directly by God and is regarded as the only truth. For instance, Hinduism has a big number of scriptures as the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita but none of them are authoritative or divine. Likewise, Buddhism relies on the Tripitaka and other Mahayana Sutras but these are considered as handy manuals for training rather than revelation from God. A Taoist religion is not based on the biblical god’s commands in the Ten Commandments, but rather on works as simple as the Tao.

1. Concept of God

The idea of God or supreme being remains another point of the discrepancy where the Asian religions differ with the two other faiths. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam God is absolutely powerful and omniscient personal agent who takes direct interest on history. In these traditions, God is Lord of law-giver, and upholder of existence, and share an immediate relationship with people through sending them messages, helping, or correcting them. However, the Asian religions speak of divinity, divinity is more pluralistic and more objectified tradition. Hinduism on the other hand, recognizes on high power above all powers, name or identity and this is, Brahman which is an impersonal force. Buddhism is not centered on devotion to a single deity or pantheon of deities, it is also more related to the person’s attainment of salvation and his quest for the meaning of life. Taoism, however, recognizes a principle that does not include the worship of a supreme being.

1. View of the Afterlife

Religion in modern society is dominated by such ideas as heaven and hell as well as the judgment of people by God that defines their afterlife. One assumes an important linear process from life to judgment day. The death in Asian religions is more cyclic in pattern when compared to the western civilization. While Hinduism and Buddhism have numerous similarities in their culture, both of them believe in Reincarnation or the transmigration of souls or Karma. Salvation of this liberation is called moksha in Hinduism or nirvana in Buddhism, and it focuses on every individual spiritual change and does not involve divine retribution. Although Taoism does not emphasize afterlife as much as the resurrection, it proclaims about coming to the harmony with Tao with no regard to judgment. 

1. Salvation vs. Liberation

In Judaism, Christians, and Islam, assumes that salvation is received through faith in God, grace, or obeying the Law. Religious faith especially in the Christian perception has the overall emphasis on salvation although defined differently from the general perception of rescue from evil forces. Asian religions, on the other hand, offers the path of individual salvation from cycle of suffering and rebirth. According to Buddhism, the way to the ultimate goal is given by four facts of the suffering and by the Eight possibilities to deliver oneself out of the suffering. In Hinduism, moksha is the liberation from the cycle of rebirth which is attainable by realization of the self or by devotion. Taoism is more focused on the balance or just coming to terms with the Tao, the path or, the way.

• Ethical and Moral Frameworks

The ethical and moral values of Asians religions also differ from those of the religions of the book. The moral principles in Buddhism revolve around the Eightfold Path, which include right knowledge, right attitude, right speech and action, right livelihood, right endeavor, right awareness and right mindedness. These principles are intended for the attainment of one’s own salvation and cessation of suffering. The Confucian worldview is primarily ethical, established on the basis of Confucian understanding of the role and position of the family, ancestors, and social status and such virtues as (benevolence) and yi (righteousness) (Hwang & Hwang, 2012). Taoism promotes a harmony with nature and encourages people to follow the Tao, which is not punishments but the path to proper interaction with the world.

References

Asian Religions Module reading

Hwang, K. K., & Hwang, K. K. (2012). The deep structure of Confucianism. Foundations of Chinese psychology: Confucian social relations, 99-131.