Question

What are the similarities and differences in the core beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism?

Answer 1

The Similarities, Both Buddhism and Hinduism share a strong belief in reincarnation; an endless cycle of births and deaths that must be broken.Attachment to people, places, things, or even ideas can lead to suffering; therefore, it’s best to practice non-attachment in the sense that you’re more anchored in your center than in outer circumstances.Meditation is highly regarded in both religions, because they believe real truth and spirituality is inward, not outward.Both believe that everything on the planet will eventually achieve enlightenment and liberation.The

Differences, Buddhism has no “rituals” in the traditional sense. They don’t do elaborate prostrations or pujas (prayer rituals). There are not even  priests, really; though they do have senior monastics.Hinduism has an entrenched caste system (though it can be argued it was never meant to be that way), where as Buddhism does not. Buddhists believe that anyone can achieve enlightenment, where Hindus believe you must be of the Brahmin caste.In many sects of Hinduism, it’s believed extreme asceticism is the ideal spiritual life. In Buddhism, the middle path is best. Neither extreme poverty nor extreme wealth are considered to be ideal.Traditional Buddhism has no gods, where as Hinduism has literally endless variations and incarnations of gods and goddesses. Although many Hindus believe Buddha is an incarnation of Vishnu, Buddhists do not usually share that view.Buddha taught that the original Vedas (ancient religious texts) were originally sacred until animal sacrifice was introduced.