Hinduism And Buddhism Similarities

Comparison and contrast between Buddhism and Hinduism

Buddhism and Hinduism are two of the most ancient religions in the world today. It is unbelievable that Hinduism has been able to maintain its religion and culture for over 3,500 years and Buddhism for 2,800 years. Both Buddhism and Hinduism are originated from the Ganges culture of northern India during the second urbanisation in 500 B.C.E. They have shared the same beliefs that existed side by side and also some differences.

Similarities

Both Buddhism and Hinduism shared a strong belief in Samsara, which is an endless cycle of rebirth. Both of them seek release from the cycle of rebirths. Hindus believes in an everlasting soul that is incarnated from birth to birth. Hindus seek release

Hindus claims that the caste system was divine in nature. On the other hand, Buddhism offered ordination openly to all people regardless of caste. In Buddhism, if any of the caste does deeds such as stealing, slandering, lying and practice wrong beliefs, they are considered to have done negative deeds and therefore are not worthy or deserving respect, whatever their caste. Buddhists also believe that anyone can achieve enlightenment, where Hindus believe one must be of the Brahmin caste in order to achieve enlightenment.

Both Buddhism and Hinduism also varies on the concept of non-duality. While the Upanishads focus on the static self, the Buddhist view is more dynamic as they believe that it is the seeker’s hands to make things happen. While Hinduism believes that the realization of non-duality is that it is a permanent state, Buddhism believes that non-duality is just a meditative state and it does not offer a permanent solution to material suffering during the ongoing cycle of birth and

This problem always arises from ignorance of attitudes, customs and values of others, causing serious prejudice among people of different religions. This situation can be solved by expanding the interaction space for the aims of building respect, trust and love among all people. Relationship can be improved by increasing the opportunities of interaction, not only characteristic of similarities between them. Thus, higher potential of religious harmony occurs as more interaction taking place in the community. Parents are also responsible in cultivating values and attitude in new generation to produce a future generation who can mingle easily with people from different religions and cultures and can easily adapt oneself to a different