I hope that you enjoy the fourth installment of the Convert a Friend series. As always, I am posting it without edits.

The following essay was written by Melissa Illingworth. 

If I was going to try to convince a friend to become either Buddhist or
Hindu, what arguments would you use and why?

Hinduism is a religion, filled with myths and gods and goddesses. I love
the symbolism and mysticism in Hinduism. The pathway to the evolution
of the soul to obtain enlightenment, is a search that we should all be
undertaking in our short time on this earth in this lifetime to continue to
evolve into our next. Living a good life, experiencing life and devoting
yourself to the path of these gods and goddesses makes life a beautiful
evolutionary process.

I am personally drawn to the creation myths of the gods and goddesses.
One example The goddess Dorga and her powers of weapons and ability
to slay the demons that get in the way of enlightenment. She is portrayed
with many arms and riding on the back of a tiger. She is a fierce aspect of
Pavarotti when shown as a ferocious Shakti, or divine feminine spirit
energy. I am inspired by this ferocity and our ability to connect to this in
life today.

In comparison, Buddhism is a life devoted to detachment and living a
middle life. It is very hard for me to grasp or feel connected to living a life
life through detachment. I want to be attached to the joy and experiences
that are brought to me, and use them as a tool for my growth and
evolution. I think that connection and attachment can not be merely
separated. To connect with something or someone is to attach a feeling a
belief a memory and to take that away feels like living in black and white
instead of full color HD.

Hinduism is full of legend and myth, and teachings of how to live a
purposeful life to obtain enlightenment. The yogic techniques teach ways
of developing one’s powers of concentration through disciplining
thoughts, bringing mind and body together. Mental stability can be
cultivated and lead to the ultimate liberation from the cycle of life moksha.
The focus is on connection not detachment which allows this to evolve
throughout a lifetime.

Hinduism resonates with my views on life, that there are powers greater
than us that we can look to and live a devotional life of purpose and
connection. That there are lessons to be learned, and through growth,
compassion, equanimity and kindness we can evolve through each lifetime
toward enlightenment. This purpose and drive or dharma is at the heart of
what drives us forward, and it is karma that we are working through that
dictates how are actions are realized good and bad through this life and
into the next. I believe this is the key to moksha.