One may, at first thought, believe that Buddhism and Hinduism are so similar as to be the same philosophy or religion, as you will; however, this is not the case, while there are many similarities, there are just as many differences. Buddhism and Hinduism both originated in India and advanced on Indian soil, at least in the early decades of their evolution. Both philosophies believe ignorance is the main cause of pain and suffering and that one's detachment from worldly things is paramount to living a spiritual life. Hinduism and Buddhism follow many of the same spiritual exercises such as the cultivation of the state of mind, including concentration and meditation, the existence of deities or gods, several hells and heavens or lower and higher worlds, and the emphasis of compassion and non-violence toward all living things. The most significant similarities are the illusionary nature of the world and the role karma plays in keeping men bound to this world via the reincarnation or the repeated building of karma in the recycling of births and deaths.
Buddhism did not have any texts until many years following Buddha's death; Buddha's teachings were passed down for centuries by word of mouth only, prior to being put to paper. However, Hinduism believed in the Vedas-ancient religious texts. The Vedas text were and are touted to be supreme and sacred much like Christians treasure their bible, regardless of the version preferred . Buddha was India's Jesus, a prophet of unequaled and unparalleled proportions. Hinduism, on the other hand, cannot be traced back to a single prophet or leader. Buddhism holds the world to be full of sorrow, with the main goal of all human life is to end all sorrow. Hinduism holds that there are four basic principle goals of which every human should pursue: dharma: religious duty, artha: material possessions, kama: desire or passion, and moksha: salvation; Hinduism also holds the belief in four ashramas or life stages. Hinduism, as far in the past as it can be traced, started as a religious practice, but Buddhism did not; Buddhism began as a life philosophy, and it has evolved into a religious practice. Buddhists view life as a struggle, and after the many struggles during their existence they believe they will be rewarded with nirvana or the superior state of being free from individual existence and free from suffering, also referred to as the Enlightenment.
Many consider Buddhism to be the greatest religious contribution to the world today; however, as religions go, no one religion is any better than another, except in the eyes of the believer. Buddhism did introduce many valuable lessons or tenets that one would find difficult to dismiss such as the Eightfold Path- the search for the right view, right aim, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation. I believe this was a great contribution to humankind because it lays out a guideline for a thoughtful, considerate life, in which one lives with no regrets and finds peace with oneself. These are, indeed, an example of a philosophy one can be proud to live by.
Reference
Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. (2005). Philosophy: The power of ideas (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
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