Academic Comparison: The Bhagavad Gita and the Dhammapada (Essay Sample)

The Bhagavad Gita and the Dhammapada are some of the world’s most influential and well-studied texts. They’ve both been analyzed and compared meticulously by philosophers and religious aspirants globally. Simply put, they’re important. A fact that many people fail to recognize is that Buddhism arose as a nastika tradition of Hinduism. Essentially, Buddhism challenged certain aspects of Hinduism and it split off into a new tradition as it gained popularity among people. Due to this nature, it is no surprise that the most important texts to each religion (the Bhagavad Gita and Dhammapada) are often compared. 

Before diving right in, however, it’s important to discuss what exactly these texts are. Galfusz (2021) stated that: 

The Bhagavad Gita is a chapter of the Mahabharata, a substantial epic poem based on the conflicts between two groups of cousins: the Kauravas and Pandavas, and their struggle for sovereignty.

And that: 

The Bhagavad Gita is often considered to be the most important portion of the Mahabharata due to its practicality. Essentially, it summarizes the Mahabharata’s teachings in a simple and beautiful way that is approachable to all. The three major figures of the Bhagavad Gita include Arjuna, Krishna (Vishnu), and Sanjaya. Arjuna represents mankind. He is full of questions and ignorance. Krishna represents Brahman and affectionately answers all of Arjuna’s questions. He guides Arjuna, and those reading, to a life of salvation and purity. Sanjaya is the storyteller, the one who allows the story to live on orally. The one who passes on the wisdom to further generations (Galfusz, 2021). 

Essentially, the Bhagavad Gita guides the reader through Hindu religiosity. It asks questions and provides answers, many of which pertain to the reader. It describes salvation, offers numerous paths to achieve salvation, and explains the framework of the cosmos. 

The Dhammapada, written centuries after, describes the same aspects as the Bhagavad Gita, but through a very different perspective. According to Galfusz (2021) on the Dhammapada: 

The Dhammapada is a section of the Pali Buddhist canon: the collection of Theravadin Buddhist scriptures that have been preserved in the Pali language. It is one of the most important scriptures in Buddhist religiosity and is believed to contain the literal teachings of Buddha. Its purpose is teaching one how to achieve Nirvana (liberation) through the Eightfold Path: what Buddha claims to be his most important gift to humanity. These teachings focus on selflessness, pleasure, anger, thirst, and happiness.

As discussed, the Dhammapada attempts to teach one how to achieve Nirvana through the Eightfold Path. Along with that, the Dhammapada describes Nirvana and how the cosmos are manifested in everyday life. 

The Bhagavad Gita and the Dhammapada teach very similar concepts through different perspectives. They both demonstrate salvation, offer the path(s) to salvation, and outline the framework for the cosmos. The major difference between the two, however, is their concept of (or lack thereof) Atman: the transcendental true Self. The Bhagavad Gita: “The Self cannot be pierced by weapons or burned by fire; water cannot wet it, nor can the wind dry it. The Self cannot be pierced or burned, made wet or dry. It is everlasting and infinite, standing on the motionless foundations of eternity.” (Easwaran, 2007, 2:23-4) In the Bhagavad Gita, Atman transcends beyond the bounds of life. It is eternal and omnipresent. The Dhammapada, however: “Several times throughout the Pali canon the Buddha says that the human being is anatman, ‘without a self,’ thus apparently contradicting a principle that is the very basis of the Hindu faith: that at the core of every creature is a divine Self (Atman) which is not different from the transcendent reality (Brahman) and is therefore utterly beyond the world of change and death.” (Easwaran, 2007, p. 153). This explains why there is reincarnation in Hinduism and Rebirth in Buddhism. Another major discrepancy between these two texts is that the Bhagavad Gita presents numerous paths to salvation known as the Tri-marga (Karma-marga, Jnana-marga, and Bhakti-marga). The Dhammapada states that there is only one true path to salvation known as the Eightfold Path. 

Both the Bhagavad Gita and the Dhammapada describe very different, yet similar worldviews. While they both agree that life on Earth can be reduced to suffering, they argue the sources of suffering very differently. The Bhagavad Gita states that suffering comes in the form of death, poverty, disharmony, illness, pain, etc. The Dhammapada infers that there is suffering (Dukkha) to be found in everything, happy and unhappy. This is due to the idea that happiness and joy eventually fade, resulting in more suffering. Hindu religiosity also heavily stresses social order and uses the caste system to enforce it. The Dhammapada rejects the social caste and instead asks, “Who is a true brahmin? That one I call a brahmin who has neither likes nor dislikes and is free from the chains of fear” (Easwaran, 2007, 26:385) This entire chapter essentially challenges the Hindu Brahmin caste by stating that true worth is found in the heart and spiritual growth on a person, not by their social label. That the title, “Brahmin” can be achieved by all who live their life according to the Eightfold Path. 

With that, it’s important to discuss that these two texts show how similar these religions are rather than different. That’s a very important aspect in a world where division and differences seem to be the focus. They both guide their follower to the same ultimate goal of liberation: the cessation of suffering caused by samsara. In a modern context, these texts are still invaluable to those seeking change in their lives or even an alternative perspective on the world. They’re relevant because the lessons taught are of human nature. Everyone can read these texts and discover something about themselves regardless of what year it is or which environment they’re in. In our specific context (COVID-19; United States of America; 2021), “Nearly three-in-ten Americans (28%) report stronger personal faith because of the pandemic, and the same share think the religious faith of Americans overall has strengthened, according to the survey of 14 economically developed countries” (Sahgal et al., 2021). This goes to show that despite the steady growths in scientific fields, people still have spiritual questions about life. What is my purpose? Why us? Why now? These are all questions that science can’t answer. Often times, in fact, these are the questions we want answered the most. To this point, nothing has crafted a more appealing and approachable answer than religion has. 

References

Easwaran, E. (2007). The Bhagavad Gita. Nilgiri Press. 

Easwaran, E. (2007). The Dhammapada. Nilgiri Press.

Galfusz, N. (2021). Bhagavad Gita Worksheet [Unpublished Manuscript]. George Mason University

Galfusz, N. (2021). Dhammapada Worksheet [Unpublished Manuscript]. George Mason University

Sahgal, N et al. (2021). How COVID-19 has strengthened religious faith. Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. Retrieved December 7, 2021, from https://www.pewforum.org/2021/01/27/more-americans-than-people-in-other-advanced-economies-say-covid-19-has-strengthened-religious-faith/.