Explore the subtle differences between Hinduism and Buddhism with this meta description. Delve into the distinctive philosophical landscapes that define these ancient traditions, from their distinct views on the nature of the self to their unique paths to spiritual liberation.
Discover how Hinduism’s emphasis on dharma and the caste system contrasts with Buddhism’s rejection of a permanent soul and its egalitarian approach. This meta description invites you to navigate the complex differences that have shaped these deep spiritual traditions, offering a nuanced understanding of their divergent perspectives on life, suffering, and the pursuit of enlightenment. Explore the diversity in the tapestry of ancient Indian spirituality through the lens of the unique contributions of Hinduism and Buddhism to philosophical thought.
Differences between Hinduism and Buddhism
| Historical Facts | Differences between Hinduism and Buddhism |
| Founder of Hinduism | There was no single founder; evolved over centuries |
| Core Beliefs | Central concept: the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth |
| Deities | There are many gods and goddesses in a pantheon |
| Ultimate Goal | Attainment of moksha (liberation from samsara) |
| Scriptures | Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and others |
| Reincarnation | Central concept: cycle of birth, death, and rebirth |
| Caste System | Integral part of traditional Hindu society |
| Rituals and Worship | Varied rituals, ceremonies, and temple worship |
| Path to Liberation | Paths of devotion, knowledge, and selfless action |
| Founder of Buddhism | Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) |
| Core Beliefs | Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path |
| Deities | No personal god; emphasis on self-enlightenment |
| Ultimate Goal | Nirvana (release from the cycle of rebirth) |
| Scriptures | Tripitaka (Pali Canon) and various sutras |
| Reincarnation | Acceptance of reincarnation, but not central |
| Caste System | Rejected by Buddhism, emphasis on equality |
| Rituals and Worship | Emphasis on meditation and mindfulness |
| Path to Liberation | An integral part of traditional Hindu society |
Introduction
Both Hinduism and Buddhism originate from the Indian subcontinent and have a very long but rather strange and uneasy relationship, which in many ways is comparable to Judaism and Christianity. Gautam Buddha was born into a Hindu family, just as Christ was born into a Jewish family. Some people still maintain that Buddhism was an offshoot of Hinduism and the Buddha was part of the Hindu pantheon, a view that is not acceptable to many Buddhists. However, it is generally accepted that Buddhism gained popularity in India because it freed many people from the shackles of tradition and orthodoxy who were otherwise ignored as victims of their karma. The Buddha, through his teachings and guidance, created hope and desire for those who previously had no hope for salvation and freedom of choice. The India of his time was characterized by an unjust caste system, ritualistic methods of worship that could only be performed by a few, and social inequality due to the exalted position of the privileged classes, which the Vedic religion considered inviolable and unquestionable. Long ago, more than 1,500 years ago, Hindu tradition accepted the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu. However, a strong rivalry existed between the two traditions in the subcontinent for a very long time. The followers of Shiva and Buddha could barely get along in earlier times. There were instances of Buddhist persecution by Hindu rulers, although the vast majority followed a policy of religious tolerance. Sasank, a ruler from Bengal and a contemporary of Harshavardhana, vandalized Buddhist monuments and burnt the Pipal tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
Differences
The following are some of the differences that we can see in the principles and practices of these two religions.
Founder
Hinduism is not founded by any seer of prophets or guru. Buddhism was founded by Buddha. Hinduism is not an organized religion. In many ways, Buddhism is well organized into three divisions, namely Buddha, Sangha, and Dharma.
Scriptures
Hinduism believes in the inviolability and supremacy of the Vedas. Buddhists respect the teachings of the Buddha, especially those relating to dharma or the four noble truths of Buddhism and the eightfold path of Buddhism, but do not believe in the inviolability of any particular scripture.
Self and not Self
Buddhism does not believe in the existence of eternal and indestructible souls but also in the first cause or creator god. Hinduism believes in the existence of Atman, the immortal and unchanging, individual Self, and Brahman, the all-pervading, all-powerful, Supreme Self.
Buddha
In Hinduism, Buddha is an incarnation of Mahavishnu, one of the gods of the Hindu Trinity. In Buddhism, the Buddha is the supreme deity. Buddhists do not recognize any Hindu god as equal or superior to Buddha.
Devas
In Hinduism, gods and goddesses (devas) are immortal. In Buddhism, they are subject to change and decay, including those who bear the same name as the gods of Hinduism, such as Indra, Brahma, Varuna, etc. They live for millions of years, but are not immortal.
Worship
The original Buddhism as taught by the Buddha is known as Theravada Buddhism or Hinayana Buddhism. His followers do not ritually worship the Buddha or his images. They also do not believe in the idea of bodhisattvas. Central to Hinduism is the ritual worship of gods and goddesses. However, some sects of Buddhism, such as the Mahayana sect, ritually worship forms and images of the Buddha.
Goals
Hinduism recognizes four main goals (Purusharthas) of human life, namely dharma (religious duty), artha (wealth or material possessions), kama (desires and passions), and moksha (salvation). Buddhism considers the overcoming of suffering and the attainment of nirvana as the only meaning of human life. Therefore, it recognizes only two goals, namely the study and practice of Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) and liberation (Nirvana).
Renunciation
Hinduism recognizes four ashramas, or stages of human life, and encourages householders to practice renunciation (sannyasa) after fulfilling all worldly obligations. It is not observed in Buddhism. Buddhists can enter the Sangha at any time, even as young children, depending on their spiritual readiness. In both traditions, however, people have the choice to become renunciates according to their inclinations or at the behest of their parents or teachers.
Monasticism
Buddhists who take vows and enter monastic life organize themselves into an order (Sangha) of monks. They live in groups and observe strict monastic discipline according to a set of well-defined and codified rules. Hinduism is not a monastic religion. It is essentially a religion of the individual.
Bodhisattvas
Buddhism believes in the concept of bodhisattvas or spiritually perfect beings who put aside their salvation to help others in their suffering. Hinduism does not have a similar concept.
Status of Gods
The Gods of Hinduism are very powerful and can be worshiped as the supreme gods of creation. They play an important role in ensuring the order and regularity of the world. They are also ritually worshiped and sacrificed. Buddhist gods do not enjoy the same exalted status or popularity.
Scope
Taking refuge with the Buddha, joining the Sangha, and following the Dhamma are the three basic requirements in Eightfold Path Buddhism. You will not find a similar approach that is widely practiced in Hinduism. It offers followers many options and alternatives to work for their liberation.
Karma and Rebirth
Although both religions believe in karma and rebirth, they differ in the way these principles work and determine the fate of beings on Earth. In Hinduism, it is the embodied self (Jivatma) that is trapped in samsara and undergoes transmigration, and that needs liberation through self-purification. In Buddhism, it is a being (jiva or non-self) who is caught in samsara and who needs to achieve nirvana through self-transformation and dissipation.
Life after death
Both religions also differ concerning the afterlife. Hindus believe that after death the soul travels to the ancestral world and remains there. In Buddhism, we find no reference to an ancestral world, but several hells and heavens where beings can go and remain after death.
State of Liberation
Hinduism believes that after attaining liberation, the individual Self becomes immortal. He can either merge with the Supreme Self or remain forever in the immortal world. Buddhists believe that after attaining nirvana, a being enters an indescribable state of non-becoming and non-being.
Caste System
The caste system originated in the Hindu religion primarily to serve the division of labor and economic classification of work. However, it is unfortunate that it has become an extremely fragmented institution due to people’s self-interest. However, there is no denying the fact that the caste system is an integral part of the Hindu religion even today. On the other hand, the basic principles of Buddhism are completely against the caste system. While Hinduism had a fixed mindset about the stages of life (ashrama system), Buddhism believed that there need not be a fixed sequence of these stages in a person’s life.
Concept of Marriage
Marriage is not compulsorily prescribed for Buddhist monks, although it emphasizes the importance of a stable and harmonious married life for a married man. Hindus prescribe monogamy, but there have been instances in the past of several kings marrying more than one person. Buddhism has only one prescribed Vesak festival, while Hindus have several festivals, each commemorating the victory of good over evil.
Language Association
Theravada tradition follows the Pali language, while Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism follow Sanskrit. The history of Hinduism has been intertwined with the Sanskrit language since time immemorial. Hindus call Sanskrit as Devanagari, which means the language of the gods. This has been handed down to the present generation through oral traditions.
The meaning of sin
Buddhism does not believe in the idea of sin because it calls it a human weakness that needs to be overcome. Both Buddhism and Hinduism share a basic common belief about the afterlife of their people. Hindu scriptures talk about sin and the process of penance to be followed after sinning. They believe that sin is the cause of rebirth and death.
Racism and humanitarianism
Buddha was more of a humanist who did not believe in discriminating against individuals based on their birth order. Hinduism believes in categorizing people based on their evolution in terms of values and the nature of their karma.
Atheism vs Polytheism
Buddhism has several differences compared to Hinduism. First, the Buddha himself did not find the idea of an omniscient, omnipotent creator acceptable, whereas Hinduism is polytheistic with many gods originating from one source, Para Brahma. Buddhism is a religion that does not include a belief in a god who is immortal or eternally divine.
Aryans vs Buddhists
Buddhism has a founder namely Buddha whereas Hinduism is not founded by anyone as it is a way of life which has been in practice since several yugas. Those who adhere to the philosophical principles taught by the Buddha are called Buddhists. Those who follow the Vedic precepts and way of life are called Aryans. Anyone who follows the Vedic way of life is an Aryan. Buddha did not believe in the existence of the Vedas, which Hinduism disagrees with. Vedas are the main source of primordial knowledge and a repository of universal information.
Conclusion
Technically speaking, Hinduism is not a religion but a group of religious and sectarian movements that share some basic and in some ways identical beliefs, regional variations, history, traditions, and practices that are peculiar to the country and time in which they originated and developed. In contrast, Buddhism is a well-established and organized religion that has a set of beliefs and practices, commonly known as Dhamma, based on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Although it originated from the teachings of the Buddha, thanks to the freedom he gave to his followers, over time it developed into a multifaceted religion with numerous schools and sects. Structurally, contemporary Buddhism is as diverse and complicated as Hinduism.
(FAQ) Questions and Answers about the Differences between Hinduism and Buddhism
Q-1. What is the key difference between Hinduism and Buddhism?
Ans. One major difference lies in their core beliefs about themselves. Hinduism emphasizes the existence of an eternal soul (atman) and the cycle of rebirth (samsara), while Buddhism rejects the concept of a permanent self and aims to break the cycle through enlightenment (nirvana).
Q-2. How do they differ in their views on the ultimate goal of life?
Ans. In Hinduism, the ultimate goal is the attainment of moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, and the realization of one’s divine nature. Buddhism, on the other hand, seeks nirvana, a state of freedom from suffering and ignorance.
Q-3. Are there differences in their religious texts?
Ans. Yes, Hinduism’s sacred texts include the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita, while Buddhism follows the teachings contained in the Tripitaka (Pali Canon) and various sutras.
Q-4. What about their view of the gods?
Ans. Hinduism is often polytheistic, with several deities, while Buddhism generally does not include belief in a personal god. Emphasis is placed on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Q-5. Do they share any common concepts?
Ans. Both religions originate from ancient India and share concepts such as karma (the law of moral cause and effect) and the idea of breaking free from the cycle of suffering.
Q-6. How do they approach rituals and worship?
Ans. Hinduism includes a wide variety of rituals, ceremonies, and various forms of worship, often centered around specific deities. Buddhism, although it has rituals, places more emphasis on meditation and mindfulness practices.
Q-7. Can a person be both a Hindu and a Buddhist?
Ans. Although there are cases of individuals integrating aspects of both, they are traditionally considered separate religions due to differences in key beliefs and practices.