The Similarities and Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism

The Similarities and Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism and Buddhism are major world religions that have coexisted for the most part peacefully for thousands of years in and were developed in India. Both Hinduism and Buddhism continue to influence religion, society, and culture throughout Asia and the world to this day. Both of these religions have a broad array of defining differences and share many certain similarities also.
One of the main defining differences that separate Hinduism from Buddhism is that in
Hinduism, opposed to Buddhism, religious followers worship many gods, and the foremost of these gods are Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi. Additionally, another defining difference between the Hindu and Buddhist religions is that in Hinduism there exists a caste system which defines a person’s role in society. The highest order in the caste system is Brahmans (priests), followed by warriors, and then further down the ranking ladder comes traders and land owners, and the lowest position in the caste system is the laborers and peasants. Also, another defining feature of the Hindu faith is that there was no one founder with a single set of ideas. In addition, the religious leadership of the Hindu faith consists of brahmin priests, gurus, and holy men. Furthermore, there are no main holy books of the Hindu faith, but a few of the important holy texts include the Vedas and the Puranas.
As well as this, there are many differences that separate Buddhism from Hinduism, and define the Buddhist faith. One of the main defining differences that separate Buddhism from Hinduism is that in Buddhism, unlike Hinduism, Buddhists don’t worship any gods or deities. Additionally, unlike Hinduism, Buddhism rejected the caste system and the whole concept of being born into a position without possibility of advancement in life. Also, a significant difference between Buddhism and Hinduism is that Buddha founded the religion, opposed to many people developing a collection of religious beliefs together over time as in...

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