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Running Head: NARRATIVE AND MYTHIC

The significance of narrative and mythic dimension of faith in Buddhism and Hinduism

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NARRATIVE AND MYTHIC 2

The significance of narrative and mythic dimension of faith in Buddhism and Hinduism

Introduction

Religion has certain practices that people engage. The nature of these methods vary

greatly and sometimes includes activities such as worship, preaching, meditation, prayer,

sacrifice, offerings, and rites of passage among other sacred ceremonies. Notably, some of these

practices are very detailed and publicly evident in various forms of religions, even though thee

might be some instances where these activities might be less involving and also less publicly

visible (Partridge, 2013). For example, the different forms of meditation practiced in Buddhism

or the private prayer in various religious traditions are less noticeable and elaborate. In the

majority of religious systems, there are narratives of different forms (Richey, 2010). Some of the

common elements established in different narratives include God, gods, and different types of

spiritual deities, the general experience of religion or even a renowned individual in the belief.

Mainly, the mythic is a phrase that is noteworthy as it depicts religious connotation of the

narrative (Betz, 2012). In most preliterate cultures, descriptions are very significant in expressing

religious beliefs. Thus, it is important to note that most of these explanations are transitioned

through word of mouth. The primary aim of this essay is to explore the significance of the story

and mythic dimension of faith in Buddhism and Hinduism.

Narrative and mythic in Buddhism

Buddhism is a religious practice that was founded in 520 BCE (Damien, 2009). The

religion developed in the Northern part of India and was created by Siddhartha Gautama. The

common name of Siddhartha is Buddha, which means the enlightened one. Members of this

religion do not have a god, but they only pay their esteemed respect to Buddha by bowing to his

statue.

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Buddhism has narratives that are mainly focused on the life of Buddha. These

descriptions have been passed down from the teacher (Buddha) to his students through the word

of mouth. The tales are fundamental as they form the basis of Buddhism as a faith. For instance,

one of the most sacred stories in Buddhism is the life story of Siddhartha Gautama or the

Buddha. One of the narratives given was given as a sermon by Buddha who used different

accounts to teach essential skills required in life. One of his fictional stories is the one illustrating

the Dharma in the tale "Lotus Sutra." Particularly, this story provides an account of a wealthy

man and his young son who dwelled in a significant, but crumbling house that had only one exit

(Phil, 2013). One day, this home caught fire, but the son took no notice of the disaster at hand.

The efforts by the rich man to give warnings to the son were fruitless. Under such circumstances,

it might be useful for the rich man to execute the right decision and skills in saving his life, as

well as the one of the son.

The moral lesson that Buddha aimed to teach his people from this story was the ability to

use critical thinking and application of the knowledge, especially in a situation that poses a threat

to one’s life. Therefore, narratives in Buddhism play a significant role in ensuring that believers

gain the best lessons that can help them survive accordingly in the society. For instance, it is

expected that the father would use unique skills to get his son out of the burning house. He had to

apply all the senses to save the life of the child and his life too. Buddhists believe that Buddha

was a teacher to all, thus, he was like a father to every person (Ronald, 2012). Also, they firmly

believe that Buddha was brought down from heaven to safeguard people’s lives by ensuring that

they are safe at all times by rescuing them from dangerous situations. These believers maintain

that daily prayer to Buddha is crucial even to people who are not Buddhists.

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Buddha used narratives effectively to teach great lessons to his people. The tales formed

the basic rules that guided this religion. In the current times, stories by Buddha are still

significant to the lives of Buddhists. For example, Monks always follow the strict rules of the

Vinay, which is a sense of discipline rules that Buddha brought into this religion many centuries

ago. Some typical examples of the Vinaya that Monks strictly observe today include; do not kill,

always talk in sincerity, never commit murder, live a life of celibacy, and refrain from drug

abuse among others (Damien, 2009). These lessons are considered to be very useful to the lives

of Monks such that they have to take a vow as a way of their commitment to follow the rules to

the end of their lives without deviation. In case a Monk breaks one of the promises and

determines one of the great lessons, he is expelled from the Monastery (Ronald, 2012). Every

day, religious Buddhist Monks have to learn the great experiences in the form of a scholarly

study. They have the role to take responsibility, conduct spiritual practices and take care of every

aspect of the learning process. During the prayers, students perform the bows as an indication of

continued respect for Buddha and his great teachings. Also, the bows indicate that the person has

surrendered himself or herself to Buddhist. They also pray with their hands folded, an indication

of the deeper meaning of the ritual, to the Buddha's past, present and future.

The narratives used to support Buddhism play a great significance in the lives of various

sects. Since they were creative narratives, believers deduce different meanings from them. As a

result, there are multiple sects in the Buddhism. Every cult that has been brought up through

Buddhism has its doctrines, gods, and legends (Phil, 2013). For instance, they all believe that the

evil spirit, Mara, has one motive of trying to take over one's soul if a person fails to meditate.

However, there are other traditions that have legends that differ. Interestingly, other traditions

have affected Buddhism to give rise to different faiths. For instance, the Brahmanism, which is a

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type of Hindu religion, has had a significant influence on Buddhism. Through narrative, this

doctrine has brought about a new Buddhist faith that believes in the reincarnation process and the

cycle of life. Therefore, descriptive and legends are the core foundation of the Buddhism. The

firm believers in this faith, Monks, have to strictly follow the lessons from the early descriptions

and even follow them to the letter. They base their entire life on these specifications.

Narrative and mythic in Hinduism

Hinduism is a form of religion that is also built on the pillar of myths. The most valuable

aspects of Hinduism are a part of the most significant religious believes that guide believers. The

stories about the three hundred and thirty gods and goddesses form the foundation of the Hindu

faith (Johnson, 2009). One of the myths arises from the Mahabharata and is famously known as

the Bhagavad Gita or the song of Krishna. In the story, the hero is a skilled warrior who has to

get into a battle. However, he is reluctant since he is required to kill some members of the family

and close friends. The god, Krishna, appears and tells him that fighting is his duty and so he has

to get to battle (Greg, 2017). Also, the god also instructs that the warrior who fails to engage in

the war would be a sign of disobedience and deviation from the norms of the religious

obligations. The god Krishna convinces the warrior to participate in the battle. The story is an

illustration of how social order determines dharma. Thus, this conclusion arises since Arjun was

a part of the Kshatriya class that decided it was the duty of a worrier to fight. The myth of the

imaginary god Krishna plays a significant role in uniting the Hindus in a strong faith. Precisely,

it communicates the need for a high devotion in the most important religious practices in this

religion.

In the modern society, mythic or historical aspects play a significant role in ensuring that

Hindus value their religious beliefs. As a result, most of the notable historical figures among the

NARRATIVE AND MYTHIC 6

Hindus play a substantial role. In a more recent history, a character who makes a lot of

significance in Hinduism is Mahatma Gandhi (Stephen, 2010). He played a significant role in

changing the Hinduism and the entire India through nonviolent civil disobedience. His primary

mission was to fight for independence and against a more rigid caste system in India. He played

a significant role in leading a majority of Indians into a non-violent protest and gained the

privilege of becoming an influential religious leader. His actions were substantial since he

managed to lead Indians to independence from the British colonizers. However, he died in an

assassination by a Hindu extremist just after he had accomplished his long-cherished goal.

Despite Gandhi being long dead, he forms ideologies, principles, and insights from a unique part

of the modern Hinduism religion. The modern-day Indians still rely on Gandhi’s principles to

run their religious beliefs.

A significant part of the Hindu history is the recent conflict with the Muslim. The conflict

heightened when the Muslim pushed for the split of India to form a religious state for the

Muslim. The result was the formation of the country Pakistan. The result was the loss of lives

among Muslims, Hindus and even those who dearly held on the Gandhi’s religious concepts

(Greg, 2017). The history of the Hindus has a great significance in their daily spiritual life. For

example, they believe that the places where their gods were born are supposed to be holy sites.

The history of such places has a lot of religious significance, and hence, Hindus are always

determined to safeguard them dearly. A good example is a recent confrontation that happened in

Ajodhya. Muslims built their mosque in a site that Hindus believed was the birthplace of the

avatar Rama. Approximately, three hundred Hindus stormed into the mosque and destroyed its

structures. Such common conflicts are prevalent today as the Hindu and Muslim crash over

religious differences brought by religious histories and traditions (Sheila, 2012). Some of these

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disputes sometimes turn political with many people from the two extremes willing to engage in a

well-structured war. India and Pakistan have nuclear capabilities and hence, may participate in a

more devastating battle motivated by religious myths and narratives. The significance of the

myths and tales is every unique since it defines the political events in India. They have left the

spiritual realm to shape the political atmosphere in the country. Therefore, religious narratives

and myths have a more significant role to play in the modern Hindu community.

Comparison between Hindu and Buddhism

Both in Buddhism and Hindu, narratives and myths have a great significance. They play a

significant role in shaping the religion through the determination of unique traits. However, there

are some differences between the role played by the religious myths and narratives. Also, in both

religions, myths and narratives are handy tools in defining the religion practiced by members of

these communities. For example, the Hindus have to practice their beliefs on the grounds of

practices that were passed down from earlier generations through narratives or new religious

elements created by historical events. For instance, the lessons learned from the ideologies

helped by Mahatma Gandhi forms the basis of Hindu religion. The doctrines represent a new set

of religious believes that have been created through useful historical events (Melton & Baumann,

2010). A similar case is observed in the Buddhism. Most of the spiritual practices that are

considered to be very significant to the Buddhist are a product of history. D=Buddha, was a

historical figure who taught great lessons that shape Buddhism religion. His historical

significance plays a significant role in creating a unique faith that has been passed down to

generations through narratives.

There was the difference between the histories of the two religions. The significance of

myths in Hindus connects believers to their delay held gods. For instance, the account for the

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significant god promoted by the myths given forms the basis of Hinduism. On the other hand, the

history of Buddhism does not connect them to supernatural beings. Buddhists only hold a

particular respect to Buddha, who they consider as their unique teacher in life.

Conclusion

Myths and narratives are a significant part of religious systems. They play a significant

role in defining the great concepts in every religion. The exploration of the myths and narrative

in the two holy systems has shown that they play a significant role in developing the foundation

of religious orders. As a result, they are essential in defining what people hold as true beliefs and

essential aspects of the spiritual systems that believers can defend with a lot of devotion. In some

religious orders like Hinduism, the narratives and myths are useful in defining the politics of

land. The nature of political events and ideologies are deeply ingrained in their religious beliefs.

Their significance may be felt even in the future as they may define the nature and extent of

political conflicts in the region.

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References

Betz, H.D. et al. (eds). 2012. Religions Past and Present. Leiden: Brill

Damien, K. (2009). Buddhism. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

Greg, B. (2017). Hinduism in India: The Early Period. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India.

Johnson, W.K. (ed.) 2009. Oxford Dictionary of Hinduism. Oxford: OUP Phil, H. (2013).

Adaptation and Developments in Western Buddhism: Socially Engaged Buddhism in the

UK. Boston: A&C Black.

Melton, J.G. & Baumann, M. (eds). 2010. Religions of the World: A Comprehensive

Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio

Partridge, C. (2013). Introduction to World Religions. Minneapolis: Fortress Press

Richey, N. (2010). Me and the Big Bang: Confessions of a Modern-Day Mystic. New York:

iUniverse.

Ronald, M. D. (2012). Indian Esoteric Buddhism: A Social History of the Tantric Movement.

New Jersey: Columbia University Press.

Sheila, J. N. (2012). The Sacred and the Cinema: Reconfiguring the 'Genuinely' Religious Film.

Boston: A&C Black.

Stephen, J. (2010). Hinduism Today: An Introduction. Boston: A&C Black.

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