Om ( ॐ) is often considered the primordial sound of the universe. It is a sacred syllable in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, symbolizing the essence of the ultimate reality, consciousness, or Atman (soul). The concept of Om encompasses the entire cosmic vibration and is said to represent the past, present, and future, as well as the transcendent state beyond time. From a scientific perspective, the universe indeed produces a variety of sounds, though not in the conventional sense we hear with our ears. These sounds are often recorded as electromagnetic waves and converted into audible frequencies. Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation: The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe began with a massive explosion, which left behind a faint glow known as the cosmic microwave background radiation. In 2003, NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) captured this radiation, revealing fluctuations that could be translated into sound. Physicist John Cramer from the University ...
Buddhism vs Hinduism: In-Depth Comparative Study of Atman, Anatta, Karma, Moksha & Nirvana Hinduism is often described as Sanātana Dharma —the “eternal way of life.” Buddhism arose from the same cultural soil but charted its own disciplined path to awakening. Studying Buddhism vs Hinduism is therefore less a clash between rivals and more a dialogue between two complementary quests for freedom. By seeing where they diverge and where they overlap, modern seekers can extract practical wisdom from both traditions without losing intellectual honesty or spiritual depth. Buddha Rejected Vedic Rituals Some readers assume the Buddha opposed the Vedas outright. A better analogy is a medical student learning to use an MRI: she needs to understand the machine well enough to diagnose, not to redesign microchips. Likewise, the Buddha focused on one proven method, mindful investigation of suffering, rather than the entire spectrum of Vedic techniques. When students asked...