SIMILARITIES/DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUDDHISM AND HINDUISM

ORIGIN

Buddhism had a single founder, Buddha, who created all of Buddhism while Hinduism didn't have a single founder; Hinduism became a mixture of several beliefs Similarly, Buddhism was formed within a single lifetime; however, Hinduism's starting point was with the Aryans in 1500 BCE, and it took more than 2000 years to establish modern Hindu customs (around 400 CE)

VIOLENCE

Buddhists refuse to fight or murder anything, so they won't engage in conflict. Hindus may engage in conflict in order to preserve their culture and community.

WORSHIP OF GODS

Hindus honor several gods daily, and Brahman is the main, superior god. Gods are thought to be helpful in keeping individuals focused on their responsibilities and protecting devout people from evil. However, in Buddhism, gods don't play a big role. It is not important whether one honors a god or multiple; it is thought to be a personal decision, tying into the belief that a person is in charge of what they do. Gods don't help Buddhists because it is their duty to practice Buddhism; it is up to them.

CULTURE/PRACTICE

The caste system was part of the foundation for Hinduism, a culture in which people are born into their occupation -- it is believed by Hindus that someone performing another person's work properly is inferior to that person performing their own work poorly. But, Buddhists don't live according to the caste system as they think that the system holds back people from being their best selves (helping to decrease suffering), and that all individuals are equal.

VIEWS

Both religions believe in karma, Dharma, rebirth, and release from the process of reincarnation. Karma is the idea of one's moral actions from his/her past lives judging his/her next life. Dharma is religious responsibility -- it is believed that individuals should be selfless and act according to their obligations rather than their happiness.

RELEASE FROM CYCLE

Both religions have same idea, that one may be released from ongoing rebirth, but are called different things and achieved through different actions. In Hinduism, release from rebirth is called moksha and is achieved through believing that all contrasts between the individual and Brahman and the remainder of creation are illusions (maya). Moksha is becoming one with the cosmic order of the universe. In Buddhism, however, release from rebirth is called nirvana and is achieved through following the Middle Path or Eightfold Path. Nirvana is ultimate happiness.

OBJECTIVE

Both religions have the same objective: to be released from the reincarnation process.

VEGETARIAN

Both religions have vegetarian adherents due to the fact that they believe that people may be reborn in the form of animals. Hindus think that gods come in many different forms, and that life is holy. Furthermore, Hinduism involves holy animals such as elephants and cows.

BIRTHPLACE

Buddhism and Hinduism both originated in ancient India.

CYCLE OF REBIRTH

Hinduism and Buddhism both involve belief in an ongoing process of rebirth.