Hinduism Vs Buddhism Research Paper

Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the most popular polytheistic religions in the world. Many people believe that the two are one in the same religion, but they would be incorrect. Hinduism and Buddhism both originate from the same place, India, but there are many things that separate the two from each other. Both religions are very focused on nature, believe in several higher and lower worlds, and are also focused on their surroundings. Both religions believe in karma. Karma is the affect a persons actions in their current life will cause on their next life. Both religions are very peace oriented and nonviolent. Both believe in spiritual practices such as meditation, concentration, and state of mind. In both faiths desire is the largest …show more content…
They are different in many ways. Hinduism was not founded by a prophet, whereas, Buddhism was founded by Buddha. Buddhists do not believe in the Vedas of any other Hindu holy book. Hindus believe in Atman, the individual soul, and Brahman, the creator of all. They believe Buddha to be a reincarnation of one of the Hindu gods of the Hindu Trinity. With this, Buddhists do not believe in the existence of souls. Buddhists also do not believe in and Hindu god to be equivalent of better than Buddha. Buddhists do not believe in the four stages of life that the Hindus believe in. Hinduism and Buddhism both believe in reincarnation and karma, but in separate ways. Buddhist do not have any priests of rituals like the Hindus. Buddhists also believe any follower can reach Nirvana, whereas, in Hinduism only priests could achieve moksha, which is the same as Nirvana. The major difference between the two is the belief in the Caste System. Buddhists do not believe in the Caste System which is the main factor in Hinduism. One other major difference is that Hinduism does not know their creator because they have lost information over the years, but Buddhists know