Nirvana vs.

Moksha
HINDUISM
There is no one founder of Hinduism. But there are two theories that attempt to
explain the complex development of Hinduism in India. According to the Indo-Aryan
Migration Theory, Hinduism sprouted when the Aryans migrated to north India from
Central Europe near the end of the Indus Valley Civilization, 1700 BCE. The nomadic
groups religious beliefs combined with those of the indigenous Dravidian of the Indian
subcontinent and became what we now know as Hinduism.(sanskrit.org; Fieser &
Powers) Contrary to that, the Out of India Theory suggests that the development of
Hinduism is indigenous. Although the theories presented were conflicting, both agree that
this religion grew from the basis of the verse ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti (that
which exists is One: sages call it by various names) (sanskrit.org; adishakti.org).
Hinduism is diverse; some of its followers are monotheistic, polytheistic, and
some even atheistic. There is not one core belief seemingly important enough to be
accepted by all Hindus. Perhaps one thing that is shared amongst then is the sacred text of
the Hindu tradition, the Vedas, a collection of stanzas (Rg Vedas), hymns (Sama Vedas) ,
rituals prayers (Yajur Vedas), and ritual texts (Atharva Vedas). These are considered
revelations rather than traditions, for they are heard rather than remembered (3). A
concept that is seen throughout the Hindu tradition is structure in society. Another
important concept in the Hindu tradition is Dharma. It refers to the duty of each

individual the actions, attitudes, and ritual performances (25). There is an order to
how one can reach he ultimate goal: to attain moksha, liberation from samsara (cycle of
rebirth). There are Four Purposes of Life in the Hindu tradition. Firstly, an individual
must pursue his duty (Dharma). Secondly, he shall seek to pursue wealth. Thirdly, he
shall seek to pursue his pleasures. Lastly, he may practice to be released from samsara.

BUDDHISM
Theravada
According to the text, the rise of Buddhism was credited to a young prince named
Siddartha Gautama, who renounced his royal heritage to escape the cycle of rebirth and
ultimately be relieved from suffering, loss, and pain in 563 BCE (77). He recognized
that there was a fundamental ignorance that [caused][individuals] to engage in actions
that [led] to their own suffering and to fail to recognize the [path] to happiness (Fieser &
Powers, 77). He came to understand that even things that bring happiness to individuals
are sources of suffering (Fieser & Powers, 77). This branch of Buddhism is known as
the Way of the Elders. It focuses on an individuals path to attain nirvana (Fieser &
Powers, 79). Fairly similar to the term Moksha, Nirvana is defined as the liberation from
the cycle or birth, death, and rebirth (Fieser & Powers, 94). The sacred text of the the
Theravada Buddhist tradition is the Tipitaka (Pali Canon), which contains the teachings
of Buddha (lecture slides).
Mahayana

The Mahayana branch, also known as the Greater Vehicle, was developed after
the Third Council in 250 BCE, during the reign of King Ashoka; he was known for
widely spreading the influence of Buddhism (age-of-the-sage.org; lecture slides). this
branch places a great emphasis on an individuals consciousness (117) and wisdom.
Concept of Nirvana
Nirvana is not an easy concept to grasp, yet alone explain. According to the text,
Nirvana: Concept, Imagery, Narrative, there are two forms of nirvana: (1) Nirvana of
Defilements and (2) Nirvana of Aggregates (Collins, 41). Nirvana of Defilements is
defined as the the nirvana element with remainder. It was achieved by Buddha under the
Bodhi Tree (Buswell & Lopez, 590). Nirvana of Aggregates is the nirvana element of no
remainders, also known as final nirvana. It is achieved at the time of death, in which the
cause of all future existence is distinguished (Buswell & Lopez, 590).
So what is it that separates Nirvana and Moksha? As seen in the history of
Hinduism and Buddhism, both religions seek to obtain a similar goal: liberation.
Although nirvana and moksha are conceptually similar, there are some differences in who
can achieve it and how it can be achieved.

CAN LIBERATION BE ACHIEVED BY EVERYONE? IF SO, HOW?

The foundation of Hinduism is the establishment of the social orders and duties.
The reading, Creation of the Universe, depicts the sacrifice of Purusa, a god whose
body was used as the material for the formation of the stars, planets, and living things
(Fieser & Powers, 11). It was also said that Purusas sacrifice brought forth the creation of

social classes. Therefore, to climb a ladder to achieve liberation, one must follow the
Laws of Manu by first completing ones social duties according to his class. (Fieser &
Powers, 6) In the Hindu tradition, all males have an equally opportunity for attaining
moksha. But, it must be attained by ones self, without the help of others. Although,
everyone can attain moksha, he or she is encouraged to pursue liberation at a more
suitable time. If everyone pursues liberation at an earlier time, the resulting chaos would
makeliberation difficult, if not impossible, for anyone (Fieser & Powers, 7).
According to the textbook, Upanisad sages noted samsara as beginningless, but maybe
endedby attaining correct understanding of the truth, which is found by people [whose]
attention is shifted to find the truly real (Fieser & Powers, 5). Following the Path of
Wisdom, the sage finds the self (atman) that is within everyone (5). And liberation is
achieved when atman and Brahman (the cosmic Ultimate; the purest and most sublime
principle of existence(5)) (Fieser & Powers, 25). In Hinduism, the practice of Yoga
allows the practitioner to discipline his or her mind and body by turning his or her
attention inward which lead to detachment and wisdom. Yoga is a meditation beginning
with physical discipline then mental discipline, and finally development of insight into
unchanging truth (6).
Unlike the Hindu tradition, there is no self (anatman) that is relative to the
concept of nirvana. In the practice of Theravada Buddhism, practitioners focus on their
own emancipation. Because more emphasis is placed on the ideal of the Arhat, not

everyone can attain nirvana. To achieve nirvana, one must understand the Four Noble
Truths. (1) All is suffering. (2) Suffering is caused by desire. (3) Suffering can end. (4) It
can be done by practicing the Eightfold Paths (Fieser & Powers, 91). To rid of all the
suffering and pleasure that causes suffering, must meditate and live by the EightFold
Paths. It is defined as follows in the First Semon: right speech, right views, right
concentration, right efforts, right mindfulness, right action, right livelihoodness, and
right intentions (91). Similar to Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhists believe that liberation
can be attained by everyone. Mahayana practitioners depict the selflessness Mahayana
buddhists strive to help all other beings achieve nirvana first. Their ideal state is to be a
bodhisattva; they seek to attain the state of buddha-hood to help others find the path of
final happiness (Fieser & Powers, 79). To attain liberation as a Mahayana Buddhist, one
practices several methods of yoga, which makes a simpler process of reaching nirvana.
One might question, how a Mahayana buddhist reaches Nirvana? The answer is simple,
yet hard to explain. In helping other living beings and creature attain enlightenment,
bodhisattvas are exercising the act of selflessness. From what I have noticed, it seems so
that the bodhisattvas understand that their turn is eventual; therefore they seek to show
compassion to those seek to reach nirvana. In order for one to reach nirvana, he or she
must come to realize the emptiness of all things (117) and be conscious (117). An
example of a yoga used un the Mahayana practice, is the deity yoga (devata-yoga), which
was meant to help meditators [familiarizes] themselves with the body, speech, and mind
of buddhas and [praticipating in the buddhas roles] (Fieser & Powers, 80-81). Finally,
Buddhism as a whole, opened the doors for females to achieve equal opportunity to to

reach nirvana. In the reading, The Cessation of Suffering, depicted a female arhats
success in letting go of all attachment to worldly things [and] recognizing them as a
source of suffering (102).
CONCLUSION
The main goal of both religions is to escape the cycle of samsara. After deeper
analyzation, one can notice that differences between nirvana and moksha are tedious. Not
only did a difference occur between both religions, it also occurred within the subbranches of Buddhism. Both religions seek to terminate pleasure and suffering through
the completion of ones Dharma (Hindus), the practice of the EightFold Paths (Theravada
Buddhists), and acts of compassion (Mahayana Buddhists). Also, the process of attaining
liberation includes the practice of Yoga to discipline the mind and body. On a personal
note, the idea of liberation leaves me skeptical. In some parts, it makes me question, if
achieving nirvana is as simple as folioing the instructions for the various yogas. The
concept becomes more confusing as I delve deeper into the topic.
The question that still remains in my mind, is in regards to women. Are women
still seeking for a opportunity to escape samsara? Do they still need to pray, in hope of
being rebirther as a male? The complex history of both religions enlightens the thoughts
of the by-passers. If I were to choose a religion to follow Id prefer Mahayana Buddhism;
for it considers those who are less likely to achieve nirvana and provides assistance.

Works Cited
"Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti"that Which Exists Is One: Sages Call It by Various
Names." EDITOR'S CHOICE:. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.
Buswell, Robert E., and Donald S. Lopez. The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. N.p.:
n.p., n.d. Print.
Collins, Steven. Nirvana: Concept, Imagery, Narrative. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge UP,
2010. Print.
Lecture Slide 2
Lecture Slide 3
Lecture Slide 4B
Powers, John; Fieser, James (2011-12-01). Scriptures of the World's Religions.
Humanities & Social Science. Kindle Edition.
"Sanskrit.org." Sanskrit.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
"What Is Buddhism?" Buddhism History Theravada Mahayana Zen. N.p., n.d. Web. 25
Feb. 2014.