Select two of the major world religious traditions. Summarize the key features of each and contrast them with each other and with the Greek philosophical tradition. Write a report in which you consider the following: what sensations, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are expressed in religious rituals? How have religious traditions survived from their historical origins to the present day? What social and cultural differences make it difficult for people from distinct traditions to relate to each other productively? What power do these approaches have to transform individual lives? Your report may well include reflection on the role of religious traditions in your own life, but develop your analysis of the issues independently of your own convictions.

Religious Traditions

Features of Hinduism

• Hinduism is not a religion; this is one of the features that states that Hinduism is the way of life and not a religion

• Living in a natural way; Hinduism encourages living a life that synchronizes with nature.

• Hinduism is close to nature; Hinduism teaches about offering gratitude towards animals, plants, Mother Nature, Air, Water bodies, Moon and everything.

• Everything on earth is gift given; the religion states that God gives everything in the land. An illustration can be food that has been prepared and offered to God before the consumption.

• Equality for genders; in Hinduism, there is equality regarding gender. This indicates that both the male and female possess the same rights in the rituals, temples, festivals and poojas.

• Talks of energy; in Hinduism, energy is all that is demonstrated. This ranges from the Vaastu Shastra, Ayurveda, festivals, and Hindu rituals all stress about the energy.

• Nothing is mandatory; in Hinduism, nothing is binding. One is in a position of the following anything if he or she wants to. An example is when one is entirely convinced and decides to follow the temple in every week. One is free to do it on a daily basis.

• Everything is based on scripture; in Hinduism, everything relies on the Vedas, which is one of the most resourceful in as far as Hinduism is concerned. This has been mentioned in the past years are still relevant to today's world.

• There is infinity to the number of Gods; In Hinduism, the number of gods cannot be counted. This is because they believe that they are in so many forms though of different Universe and Nature.

• It is an ocean; it is believed that there exist many aspects relating to this culture.

Features of Buddhism

• No supernatural being; the Buddhists believe that there exists no supernatural being who brought the world into existence and is in control of the disaster and bliss of the human being as in the other religions. In Buddhism, they believe that the deeds and effort determine the everything contained in the universe. Hence there is no supernatural control in them.

• Everything in the universe is subject to a particular working principle; in Buddhism, they teach that everything is subject to the operation of a principle.

Contrast features

• Judaism is categorical of the monotheistic faith that tends to believe in the existence of one God whereas, in Buddhism, there is no central unit and focuses more on the philosophical life

• Buddhism can be stated as a way of life, which aims at ending suffering via the mankind Endeavour, while in Judaism, it is also a way of living though it gives focuses on the interpersonal behavior and involving in the mundane activities that finally elevates them to a particular thing.

• Judaism commonly applies the Jewish cultural practices as the reference whereas, in Buddhism, it is the Indian cultural practices which are used as the reference.

• Judaism is a type of religion that is based on the deity wile in Buddhism; it has got no role for the deity.

• In Judaism, there is a stated beginning to the creation process despite the fact that most of the Jews regularly take this with the literal meaning while in Buddhism; Enlighten is usually achieved through an individual’s effort.

• In Judaism, it is believed that a person possesses one life and thus he or she should ensure that the single life is utilized to the fullest during his/her living times, whereas, in Buddhism, there is the belief in the reincarnation.

• In Judaism, there is no focusing in the life after death, and the truth according to this belief is that there are no fixed doctrines on the afterlife. while in Buddhism, the belief is that there is no heaven, but just a state of the existence that has no self known as the Nirvana.

• Judaism always tends to promote the good deeds and create a notion of a simple living standard to the whole world, while, Judaism tends to be much into a religion meant for specific individuals or group.

The contrasting feature both Judaism and Buddhism to the Great philosophy tradition;

• The Great philosophy features believe in the existence of multiple gods. This is because in each state of nature there existed a different god or the goddess. This is contradicting to both Judaism and Buddhism.

• In the Great philosophy, they firmly believe in God being in man’s image which results from the human relations. This is contradicting to both the Judaism and Buddhism.

• Another contradicting feature to both the Judaism and Buddhism to Great philosophy is that Beauty is viewed as ideal. The Greek culture rated the physical value highly. They epitomized this through worshipping the physical. This facilitated the development of the gymnasiums in almost each and every city that they managed to concur. This could be enhanced through the holding of the Greek athlete’s nude.

The religious rituals bring out a mixed feeling of the different cultural practices. Some of the survival techniques from various religions have been attributed to factors such as the;

• Culture preservation; there has been the ability by some of the groups like the Jews to preserve their culture. It is evident that each and every culture has its specific gifts. This has been the motivational factor behind the survival in most cultures.

• Beliefs, Laws, Values, Social forms and customs; it is evident that some of the religions have upheld to their beliefs to the present day. An illustration is drawn from those that have defended the idea of the dietary restriction which has been implemented to date.

• Natural promotion; this is whereby the religious have been upheld naturally. This can be evident in Judaism which confirmed their dressing, customs, and their language which have resulted in the creation of social pressure.

The social, cultural differences that have made it difficult to individuals from different traditions include;

• Language; communication barrier has been a factor in enhancing the relationship between the various cultural groups. This is because they are unable to understand each other to come up with a connecting factor.

• Dressing styles; different traditions dress differently regarding style. Thus it would have been difficult for the various individuals to adapt to each other’s wearing styles.

• Dietary difference; different cultures had different diets. This was based on their belief and value and also their social lifestyles. This acted as a barrier to the various traditions in coming together.

These approaches have the capability of changing an individual's life since each of them comes out strongly in defending their positions as to why they feel they are right. Thus an individual has the power of coming up with a decision that he or she will feel is right.