Hinduism vs. Buddhism

There are many different religions in the world. Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the five major religions worshiped around the world today. Both originated in India around the year 700 B.C. Hinduism is the oldest known religion and has many gods, rituals and beliefs. It is believed to have been established by evolving over a long period of time. Buddhism on the other hand has a definite founder, Siddhartha Gautama, who is otherwise known as the Buddha or Enlightened One. Both religions are similar in many ways, but still have distinctive differences.

Hinduism and Buddhism both believe that there is one creator spirit, Brahma or a version of Brahma. Although they also have other gods, Brahma is the ultimate god.

Both religions also believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation is being reborn again with the same soul. They believe that what you do during your life will determine where you will end up.

Buddha statue from the Gandhara-culture (1st centu...

Siddhartha Gautama meditating.

Statue representing Siddhartha Gautama.

If you are good, you will be rewarded in your next life. If you are bad, you will most likely have a bad life when you are reborn.

Hindus and Buddhists are very kind and respectful to animals. They believe that every animal has a soul. Many Hindus and Buddhists are vegetarians. Because they believe in reincarnation, any animal could be another form of a relative or close friend. Eating them would bring bad karma, and break the Eightfold Paths.

Although there are many similarities, there are also many differences. Hinduism has castes system, or social classes. They decide what your lifestyle will be like in that lifetime and cannot be changed. When you are born, you take on your parents varna and cannot change you varna. To the Hindus, it is a sin to try to change what caste you belong to. You also are not...