Yoga & Buddhism: Same or Different?

As I have said many times, YOGA IS NOT A RELIGION. Yet one can not ignore the fact that it seems to have some connection with some of the Eastern Religions.   Most people are familiar with Yoga’s connection with Hinduism, because of the Hindu iconography found in Studios around the world.  You know what I am talking about….  Paintings of Ganesha or Shiva, maybe a Hanuman statue sitting on the reception desk or a pictures of Lakshmi hung in the practice area.  Moreover, there are entire lineages of Yoga predicated on ancient Hindu philosophies found in Sacred texts like The  Bahgavad Gita.   But did you know that there is a link between Yoga and the ancient philosophies of Buddhism??
 
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Many of its philosophies are predicated on ending suffering of all being through the daily practice of Compassion, Self Reflection and Mindfulness.  Similarly,  the true practice of Yoga is the challenging undertaking of choosing to combine meaningful actions and intentional behaviors in order to be your best self – on and off the mat.  There are even more striking similarities that will not only highlight some of the linkages between yoga and Buddhism, but also explain why lineage there are also entire lineages of Yoga based on these ancient Buddhist teachings, like Purna Yoga.
 
One of the most fundamental connection is between the Eight Fold Path and the 8 limbs of Yoga. The Eight Fold path is the over all guideline for those choosing to adopt Buddhist philosophies. Likewise, the 8 limbs of yoga give a guideline to those choosing to practice Yoga as a method for living their best life.
 

8 limbs of YOGA

• Yama (ethical disciplines),
• Niyama (rules of conduct),
• Asana (postures),
• Pranayama (restraint or expansion of the breath),
• Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses),
• Dharana (concentration),
• Dhyana (meditation) and
• Samadhi (absorption)

 
 
8 FOLD PATH

• Right Understanding  (understanding the true nature of reality)
• Right Intention (enlightenment for the purpose of helping others)
• Right Speech  (using your speech to be a beckon of compassion)
• Right Action (using ethical conduct to manifest compassion)
• Right Livelihood (making a living through ethical means)
• Right Effort  (creating wholesome qualities and releasing unhealthy ones)
• Right Mindfulness (body - mind awareness)
• Right Concentration – meditation

 
 
When its laid out in this fashion the overlap between Yoga & Buddhism is more evident. Ethical Discipline, Moral Conduct, Compassion, Meditation & Self Awareness take center stage across when we take a closer look at the connection between Yoga & Buddhism.  But Why does this matter anyway?
 
There are tons of misconceptions about Yoga.  The errant idea that Yoga is Hinduism or a Religion of its own is silly. Yoga is a dedicated practice of self- improvement with some roots in the ancient philosophies that were prevalent at the time when it was created.  At the end of the day Yoga is NOT Hinduism. Yoga is NOT Buddhism. Are there tenants of each that can be linked to the underlying philosophies of Yoga, ABSOLUTELY.   Whether you can relate more to the philosophies of one or the other as a means to help you get more connected to your yoga practice is your personal choice.  There are some Yogis who choose to embrace the whole spectrum of Yoga and its subsequent interconnections, some choose to embrace only certain synergies and still other have found a way to practice in such a way that neither effect them.
The truth is that the aspects of Eastern Religions that have been incorporated into Yoga over time have added to the beauty of the woven tapestry of  philosophy, movement and meaningful action that is YOGA.