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Similarities and Differences between Hinduism and Buddhism by Arya S.
Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the most influential religions around the world. Both religions have similar roots and philosophies and originated in India before the Common Era. They are among the top five major religions around the globe. Today, Hinduism ranks third as an organized religion and is much older than Buddhism. Buddhism and Hinduism have survived for centuries and are still widely practiced around the world. Buddhism is based on the teachings of Lord Buddha who had been a Hindu before attaining Nirvana, and therefore given this fact, it follows that Buddhism share some similarities and some differences in certain doctrinal beliefs, practices, and sacred texts.
The first similarity that shows Hinduism to Buddhism is their beliefs on Reincarnation. Both Buddhism and Hinduism believe in the process of reincarnation based on deeds of the present life. Hinduism also believes that everyone is a part of an impersonal world and therefore, one's soul reincarnates into another body of any being, based on the deeds of the present life. This is not disregarded by Buddhism but is not as important. The second similarity between the two is their beliefs on salvation. They both believe that one has to work for salvation and therefore, cannot blame others for their actions. The salvation depends on the good deeds of a person. In Hinduism also, one attains salvation as per one's own fate and deeds. There are four paths or yoga’s to attain salvation: Karma Yoga which is the way of good works, Bhakti Yoga which is the way of love and faith, Jnana Yoga which is the way of knowledge, and Raja Yoga which is the way of salvation. The third similarity noticed by many is On Enlightenment and Sufferings. Buddhism and Hinduism both believe that there are many paths to attain enlightenment such as overcoming through your feelings and desires and controlling over the six conscious senses. They also believe that excessive attachment to things and people in the physical world causes pain and suffering. Therefore, we must get ourselves free from the illusions of 'Maya' or worldly desires. These are just three of the many similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism.
Although there are many similarities between the two, there are also many differences between Buddhism and Hinduism. The first difference between the two religions is differences On God. Buddhism believes the original Buddhist doctrine does not entail any godly figures, though the later Buddhist sects introduce some Godly figures. Unlike Buddhism, the Hindus believe in about 300,000 Gods. A second very important difference is about the followings in Rituals. Buddhism follows some rituals but only in the form of meditation, bowing, and different forms of worship while offering prayer in the Buddhist temples. Buddhist practices also do not require any priests. In Hinduism however, the rituals being followed by the Hindus are more complex and vary from the birth to death of a person. The third which I believe is one of the most important differences between the two is the differences between the Caste Systems. In Buddhism, there are four major sub sects but none of them follow the caste system. In Hinduism on the contrary, there are a number of castes and sub-castes, and the Hindus follow them rigidly. On top of the caste system are the Brahmins who are priests. Next come Kshatriyas who consists of warriors and rulers. Thirdly, are the Vaisyas who are skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials. Next come the unskilled workers called the Sudras, and finally, are the Dalits meaning outcastes or "untouchables".
Following these caste systems nowadays are not illegal in the law but are more deemed as frowned upon in the areas that they are still followed in. A fourth difference between the two is the concerning Asceticism. As the middle way, Buddhism rejects extreme asceticism as well as great wealth, but most of Hindus believe in extreme asceticism. The fifth main difference is that on the Vedas. Hinduism believes in the supremacy of four Vedas - Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. The Buddhists although, do not believe in the Vedas. Rather they firmly believe in the teachings of the Lord Buddha and the Buddhist scriptures. The sixth and final differences are the stages of life. The Hindus believe in the four stages of life, also known as the 'ashramas' - Brahamacharya Ashram or Student life, Grihastha Ashram or family life, Vanprastha Ashram or the age at which a person leaves all the worldly desire and home, and Sanyasa Ashram - when a person meditates and awaits for the ultimate truth, death. The Buddhists do not believe in the stages of life. People can join any of the stages any time depending upon their spiritual preparedness. These differences are just some that differentiate the two religions.
As said earlier in this essay, Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the most practiced religions. They are similar in many ways but are also different in some ways. They both have a general basic belief and that is to be a good person and to commit acts of kindness. Although Buddhism is now followed throughout Asia, it has slowly declined in India. However, Hinduism has since elated Buddhist ideas and made more Buddha’s the top followers of the Hindu gods. Today, these two religions stand with a few others as the world's most religious populations followed.