How is Buddhism different from Hinduism?

Answer 1

Both Buddhism and Hinduism descend from ancient Vedic religions. They share an appreciation of images as aids to worship, meditation, and tantra behaviors. Tantra behaviors were and are a form of behavior with rules of engagement intended to create a relationship with the Holy by sexual behavior between people; they are not excuses for sexual promiscuity as Western world-views would see the sexual behavior. Both religions agree that one is reborn again and again, and that it would be good to escape this compulsory rebirth. This rebirth is often and simplistically called 'reincarnation.' When one no longer is subject to the compulsory rebirth, one's Western soul is released to something better, but not at all like the Christian heaven. It's release; not achievement of a better life, more fun, more things, or again simplistically, lots of sexual opportunity previously missed.

Hinduism has emphasized that the Ultimate is Full (purna in Sanskrit) and rich in characteristics. Buddhism has emphasized how it is Empty (shunya) of anything that is permanent, causeless and separate.

The disagreement focuses in the idea of a self: Hinduism says we have one, and our essential self is the Self of the universe. Buddhism has said there is no abiding self, either for us or for the universe - all is flow. So Hinduism (for example) has a rich and loving temple and home ceremonial life around the manifestation of the Self in many forms. Buddhism is more monastic. Buddhism loves meditation on the changing, vanishing, re-arising impermanent breath.

They had this argument in India, then Buddhism (dependent on its monasteries) died out during the Muslim invasion in India. So now another difference is that Hinduism is most common in India, and Buddhism is most common elsewhere.

Buddhism believes in attaining nirvana through the four noble truths and eightfold path whereas Hinduism believes there are several ways one can reach to God. Hinduism is based on the concept of atman and Brahman whereas Buddhism denies the existence of an eternal soul.

Answer 2

Both Buddhism and Hinduism descend from ancient Vedic religions. They share an appreciation of images as aids to worship, meditation, and tantra behaviors. Tantra behaviors were and are a form of behavior with rules of engagement intended to create a relationship with the Holy by sexual behavior between people; they are not excuses for sexual promiscuity as Western world-views would see the sexual behavior. Both religions agree that one is reborn again and again, and that it would be good to escape this compulsory rebirth. This rebirth is often and simplistically called 'reincarnation.' When one no longer is subject to the compulsory rebirth, one's Western soul is released to something better, but not at all like the Christian heaven. It's release; not achievement of a better life, more fun, more things, or again simplistically, lots of sexual opportunity previously missed.

Hinduism has emphasized that the Ultimate is Full (purna in Sanskrit) and rich in characteristics. Buddhism has emphasized how it is Empty (shunya) of anything that is permanent, causeless and separate.

The disagreement focuses in the idea of a self: Hinduism says we have one, and our essential self is the Self of the universe. Buddhism has said there is no abiding self, either for us or for the universe - all is flow. So Hinduism (for example) has a rich and loving temple and home ceremonial life around the manifestation of the Self in many forms. Buddhism is more monastic. Buddhism loves meditation on the changing, vanishing, re-arising impermanent breath.

They had this argument in India, then Buddhism (dependent on its monasteries) died out during the Muslim invasion in India. So now another difference is that Hinduism is most common in India, and Buddhism is most common elsewhere.

Buddhism believes in attaining nirvana through the four noble truths and eightfold path whereas Hinduism believes there are several ways one can reach to God. Hinduism is based on the concept of atman and Brahman whereas Buddhism denies the existence of an eternal soul.