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Hinduism and Buddhism Main Differences
02/28/2020
Hinduism and Buddhism Main Differences
Both Hinduism and Buddhism originated in India. With a long shared-history of at least 2500 years, they have many similarities and differences. Both are also complex. In this we focus upon a few important differences between them. Buddhism is an organized religion with a well-formed Sangha or the brotherhood of monks. Hinduism is not that well organized. It is a collection of numerous traditions that originated in India in the past 5000 years. Sometimes, for historical reasons, Buddhism is also included in it, and Buddha is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Buddhism does not believe in a Supreme eternal, indestructible, independent, subjective reality. Hinduism does. That supreme reality is known as Brahman. Buddhism does not believe in an eternal, individual self. It believes that all this is not-self or objective reality only which is devoid of a permanent self, and which is impermanent and filled with afflictions, sorrow and suffering. Hinduism believes in both Self and not-self realities. In Hinduism Dharma means the set of religious, spiritual, moral and obligatory duties which are entrusted or delegated to humans by God for the order and regularity of the worlds. In Buddhism, the basic teachings of the Buddha constitute Dharma. According to Hinduism, God (Brahman or Isvara) is the source of all. He is the creator, preserver and destroyer. Buddhism is silent about God and his role in creation and the cause of creation itself. Buddhism does not recognize transcendental reality. Its sole focus is upon cultivating the right view, right discernment and insight into experiential, perceptible and cognizable reality and consciousness. Hindu spiritual practices aim to transcend the objective realm and experience oneness with the transcendental Self. In Buddhism nirvana represents the final extinguishment of rebirth, suffering, becoming and being. Those who attain it cease to exist as individual entities. In Hinduism, Moksha represents final liberation from the cycle of births and deaths and entering, an all knowing, infinite, self-existent state where each soul is internally and inseparable united with the source of all. Hinduism and Buddhism also have many similarities. If you set aside these fundamental differences, both Hindus and Buddhists can benefit greatly from the vast treasure of spiritual knowledge contained in each. It is especially true with regard to meditative and contemplative practices, ethical conduct, renunciatory practices, purification of the mind and body, entering tranquil state of the mind, dealing with pain and suffering, cultivating discernment, etc.
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