Both Hinduism and Buddhism emphasize the illusory nature of the world and the role of karma in keeping men bound to this world and the cycle of births and deaths.
2) According to the Buddha, desire is the root cause of suffering and removal of desire results in the cessation of suffering. Some of the Hindu texts such as the Upanishads (Isa) and the Bhagavadgita consider doing actions prompted by desire an attachment would lead to bondage and suffering and that performing actions without desiring the fruit of action would result in liberation.
3) Both religions believe in the concept of karma, transmigration of souls and the cycle of births and deaths for each soul.
4) Both emphasize compassion and non violence towards all living beings.
5) Both believe in the existence of several hells and heavens or higher and lower worlds.
6) Both believe in the existence of gods or deities on different planes.
7) Both believe in certain spiritual practices like meditation, concentration, cultivation of certain bhavas or states of mind.
8) Both believe in detachment, renunciation of worldly life as a precondition to enter to spiritual life. Both consider desire as the chief cause of suffering.
9) The Advaita philosophy of Hinduism is closer to Buddhism in many respects.
10) Buddhism and Hinduism have their own versions of Tantra.
11) Both originated and evolved on the Indian soil. The founder of Buddhism was a Hindu who became the Buddha. Buddhism is the greatest gift of India to mankind.
B) Differences:
Following are some of the differences in the principles and practice of these two religions.
1) Hinduism is not founded by any particular prophet. Buddhism was founded by the Buddha.
2) Hinduism believes in the efficacy and supremacy of the Vedas. The Buddhist do not believe in the Vedas or for that matter any Hindu scripture.
3) Buddhism does not believe in the existence of souls as well in the first...