Buddhism and Yoga - Parallels

I found last class's discussions very interesting. In particular, I noted a very distinct connection between Buddhist teachings and the teachings of the Yoga school.

This may have been referenced in a blog already, but...

"This is the teaching of Yoga.
Yoga is the cessation of the turnings of thought.
When thought ceases, the spirit stands in its true identity as observer to the world.
Otherwise, the observer identifies with the turnings of thought." (from our powerpoint)

What struck me, as I might have said in class, are the similarities between these statements and the Buddhist Four Noble Truths. As Yoga deals with the cessation of thoughts, Buddhism deals with the cessation of suffering. And, just as Yoga aims to cease the cycling of thought (for however long, though, I am not sure), Buddhism aims to end suffering. According to Yoga doctrine, one caught up in thought will continue to identify with the turning of such thought. Similarly, according to Buddhist thought, one caught up with one's desires will continue to be stuck in a cycle of suffering and rebirth.

It is almost if one could substitute the word "thought" with "suffering" and receive a condensed version of the Four Noble Truths. What this reveals, perhaps, is a vein of similarity present between various Indian thought systems - although I just examine Buddhism and Yoga here, there are probably many different parallels between various Indian systems of thought.

Anne Reynolds