Spiritual Masters Buddha and Patanjali

Buddha lived at a time when, and where, Hinduism was the common religion. Buddhism is the fourth most popular religion is the world. Although, Hinduism is the third most popular religion many people don't know who Patanjali is or what yoga really is. People assume yoga is a bunch of stretches done at a local gym. Actually, Yoga is an ancient Hindu religion that is very similar to the teachings of Buddha.

Both Patanjali and Buddha are considered avatars of Hindu Gods. Patanjali is believed to be an incarnation of Shesha. Called "the king of nagas," Shesha is usually seen in the form of a large mass. It is said when this kalpa ends only Shesha will remain. Buddhism also explains that we currently live in the Dharma ending age where everything is going to die and be reborn. Buddha is an incarnation of Vishnu, the creator and destroyer of all things, who is referred to as an avatar of Brahma. Brahma is the unchanging, ultimate reality, or Tao. Brahma is impersonal and can be described as nirvana, moksha, becoming one, merging with nature, etc. The quote, "The truth is one, sages call it by many names," explains why there are numerous names of incarnations which all lead to the same ultimate being.

Patañjali complied the Yoga Sutras around 200 B.C. Buddha was born before 232, or so it is speculated, and reach enlightenment at the age of 35. This places the teachings within the same time frame. Let's assume, Patanjali's yoga practice was complied first, since Buddha studied with many great yogis before his enlightenment.

In Patanjali's yoga there are eight limbs, or practices, that lead us to a spiritual, or non-suffering, life. These eight are yama, niyama, asana, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and Samadhi. These can be further broken down into:

1. Yama are ethics which include nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, and non-covetousness.

2. Niyama are self-disciplines and spiritual observances and these include: cleanliness, contentment, heat; spiritual austerities, study of the sacred scriptures and of one's self, and surrendering to God.

3. Asanas are postures that calm the mind and prepare it for meditation. Asanas are a great way to relax and become one with your spirituality.

4. Pranayama is the practice of breath control. This can be done during asanas or seated meditation.

5. Pratyahara is the act of sensory withdraw. We withdraw from this world and concentrate on the spiritual life.

6. Dharana is the act of clearing the mind. Once we master the first five limbs our body will be pure and the mind must now be purified. This is done by concentrating on a single object or sound.

7. Dhyana is meditation. After we learn to focus in dharana, we can then learn to not think at all. We go from many thoughts, to one thought, and finally to no thoughts.

8. Samadhi is the outcome of having no thoughts. One experiences peace, bliss, enlightenment, moksha, or whatever you may call it.

In Buddha's Noble Eight-Fold Path there are similar steps which lead to the same outcome. The Eight-Fold Path is just categorized differently, but is found to have the same essence. Take the Yama for instance, There are five ethics in the yama which are quite similar to the five precepts in Buddhism. The five precepts are not to kill, lie, steal, commit sexual misconducts, and take intoxicants. Let's see how the eight limbs compare to the Eight-Fold Path.

1. Slia means morality and is divided into three subgroups of: right speech, actions, and livelihood.
2. Samadhi means concentration, or meditation, and also is composed of three subgroups of: right exercise, mindfulness, and meditation.
3. Prajna means wisdom and is divided into two subgroups of: right understanding and thoughts.

In conclusion, Patanjali and Buddha developed a way for us to be spiritual by morals, meditation, and keeping our eyes on the prize. The prize is going to heaven, becoming one with the Tao, attaining enlightenment, or moksha, or whatever you want. Sure some words are different and maybe some will argue that Patanjali's yoga and Buddhism aren't similar. Don't worry be happy! Once we can accept the similarities and over look the minor differences will we all become enlightened. We are all one.