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 ...view middle of the document...
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 allowed to associate with people from a caste that is lower than yours.On the other hand, Buddhist are allowed to change their social class. They can go from a slave to an emperor, if that is their calling. If they follow the Eightfold Path, then this is allowed. It is honorable to be a monk or a nun, because they have reached nirvana. Buddhists are also allowed to associate with people in lower social classes.Another one of the many differences is the way that each religion practices meditation. A Hindu meditates to obtain inner peace throughout the charkras of the body. Once enlightened, a white light is said to be above the person's head. Buddhists perform meditation differently. Buddhist goal of meditating is to end suffering.Both religions are very similar, yet have many differences. Some people believe that Buddhism derived from Hinduism. Both religions have one creator spirit and believe in reincarnation. Although both religions have a type of social class, they are thought of very differently in the two religions. Today, both religions are still commonly practiced.