A comparative study of the Buddhist noble eightfold path and the ASTANGA-YOGA in yoga system

Abstract

The ancient Indian civilization claims to be one of the oldest enduring civilizations in the world. The majority of these civilizations hold the concepts which concern the cycle of rebirth (Pali. samsiira or Ski. sa111siira) and the Enlightenment (Pali. mokkha or Ski. moksa). l'articularly, Buddhism and Hinduism still play their significant roles in the modern society in this regard. According to Buddhism, Enlightenment is attained through the realization of the Dependent Co-origination (Pali. paticcasamuppada or Skt. pratityasamutpiidai and the Four Noble Truths (Pali. cattiiri ariyasacca or Skt. catviiri iiryasatya) and development for this is the Noble Eightfold Path (Pali. ariya auhangika-magga or Skt. iiryii,fiinga-miirga). Especially, the discourses describe this ancient path (Pali. puriina magga or Ski. puriina miirga) followed by all the previous Buddhas. By the accomplishment of these steps, one attains moksa, which is the cessation of suffering (Pali. dukkhanirodha-ariyasacca or Skt. duhkhanirodho-dryasatyai in the world and most importantly the liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Thus, by attaining freedom the Gautama Buddha consequently attained Enlightenment and reached His final destination, summum bonum of Buddhism, Nibbiina (Skt. nirvana). In Hinduism, Enlightenment can also be realized through the liberation of samsdra. Though Hindus do not have a single system for attaining liberation, they have several Yoga-s. Specially, the Eightfold Path (Skt. astiinga-yogdi is used for its achievement. By practice of the Astiingo-Yoga, a yogi has to understand the Four Realities (Skt. catur-vyiihay because the theistic Yoga refers to the Causality of the Effect Pre-Existence (Skt. satkiiryavadai and connects it with the Three Characteristics of Essence (Skt. trigunai or the Three Eternal Attributes (Skt. tirmuloi, then end of the Five Hindrances (Skt. pahcaklesai and Isolation (Skt. kaivalyam) of Pure Consciousness or Eternal Soul as Atma, and attain the Unification of Atma with Brahma (Pali. brahmasahavyatii or Skt. brahmiitmiiikyamj, which is final salvation. However, according to the Astdnga-Yoga, soul is united with the Omniscient God as final emancipation. Nevertheless, Buddhism is absolutely not so. Therefore, this research will attempt through a comparative study to conduct a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism and the Asumga-Yoga in the Yoga system in order to interpret similarities and dissimilarities.