What are the differences between Hinduism and Buddhists?

Answer 1

Following are some of the differences we can see in the principles and practice of these two religions:

• Hinduism is not founded by any particular prophet. Buddhism was founded by the Buddha.
• Hinduism believes in the efficacy and supremacy of the Vedas. The Buddhist do not believe in the Vedas or for that matter any Hindu scripture.
• Buddhism does not believe in the existence of souls as well in the first cause, whom we generally call God. Hinduism believe in the existence of 'Atman', that is the individual soul and Brahman, the Supreme Creator.
• Hinduism accepts the Buddha as an incarnation of Mahavishnu, one of the gods of Hindu trinity. The Buddhist do not accept any Hindu god either as equivalent or superior to the Buddha. Buddhism acknowledge the existence of some gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon, but give them a rather subordinate status.
• The original Buddhism as taught by the Buddha is known as Theravada Buddhism or Hinayana Buddhism. Followers of this do not worship images of the Buddha nor believe in the Bodhisattvas. The Mahayana sect considers the Buddha as the Supreme Soul or the Highest Being, akin to the Brahman of Hinduism and worship him in the form of images and icons.
• The Buddhists consider the world to be full of sorrow and regard ending the sorrow as the chief aim of human life. The Hindus consider that there are four chief aims (arthas) in life which every being should pursue. They are Dharma (religious duty), Artha (wealth or material possessions), Kama (desires and passions) and Moksha (salvation.)
• Hindus also believe in the four Ashramas or stages in life. This is not followed in Buddhism. People can join the Order any time depending upon their spiritual preparedness.
• Buddhists organize themselves into a monastic Order (Sangha) and the monks live in groups. Hinduism is basically a religion of the individual.
• Buddhism believes in the concept of Bodhisattvas. Hinduism does not believe in it.
• Buddha, the Sangha and Dhamma are the three cardinal requirements on the eight-fold path. Hinduism offers many choices to its followers on the path of self-realization.
• Although both religions believe in Karma and rebirth, they differ in the manner in which they operate and impact the existence of individual beings.

Answer 2

Buddhism is a monotheistic religion, often described as more like a philosophy than a religious faith. There are no gods in Buddhism. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion in which there are multiple gods.

Answer 3

The primary one is that Buddhists, while mostly following Hindu rules of conduct, read and study the transcribed speeches made by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), and do not worship any of the Hindu gods. As such, Buddhism is far more compatible with other religions, and is not strictly considered to be a religion.

Answer 4

1. Hindu teachings are mainly based on how to divide the people. Such as Caste System where you are a Brahmin, Kshetriya, Vaishas and Sudras. There is still one caste that is called out-caste. And they are the ab-origins of India. They are called scheduled castes by the Government. For hundreds of years, they are ones who became converted into Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.

2. Buddhism combines the whole of Asia except India into one religious group. No distinction and no discrimination.

3. That's the basic difference

Answer 5

At this point of time, the stark difference between Hinduism and Buddhism is the confusion in Buddhism that there is no God, that there is no Soul, and this is only a confusion. In reality, the original difference between what the Buddha believed in, the founder of Buddhism, and Hinduism was that the Buddha did not believe in the caste system, he did not believe in the rituals and superstitions of Hinduism. He believed in going on a quest, going within and self-realization. He did not accept or deny God, because at that point of time in Hinduism, God was a statue and a saint and Buddha disagreed with that. Therefore, Buddhism and Hinduism are very similar in their roots. Both believe in Karma, both believe in rebirth, both believe in living a life as per Dharma. The difference is only in perspective.

Answer 6

Hindus believe in literal reincarnation, whereas Buddhists do not.

Answer 7

Here is a great chart showing the differences between Hinduism and Buddhism: http://www.diffen.com/difference/Buddhism_vs_Hinduism

Answer 8

The major difference between Hinduism and Buddhism are that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion while Buddhism is a non-theistic religion or philosophy of life, the universe and everything.

Answer 9

Buddhism does not have faith in any god other than lord buddha. While Hinduism has many God & Goddess.