This paper introduces the information on differences between Hinduism and Buddhism, and then summarizes the main areas of difference between these two religions.
To start with, Hinduism is considered to be a religion because Hinduism is based on a belief in the absolute truth of certain postulates. “The origin of the term “Hindu” can be traced to the ancient Persians”¦” (Sikand and Katju 2214).
In turn, Buddhism can be described as a philosophy based on a man’s internal, personal, and psychological experience.
All areas of Hinduism include several statements:
- A belief in gods, Hindus worship them as idols (murti), that is, statues and sculptures;
- A belief in the transmigration of souls, the possibility of the soul to move into all living things from insects to humans (samsara);
- A system of mental and physical exercises in order to achieve indifference to earthly life.
Buddhism completely denies any deities or idols, and the fundamental principle of all forms of Buddhism is the teachings of the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths were formulated by Gautama Buddha and mean as follows: there is suffering, there is a cause of suffering – desires, there is the cessation of suffering – Nirvana, there is a path leading to the cessation of suffering – the Eightfold Path. Buddhism more deeply examines the essence of things. In addition, one of the most important things in the teachings of the Buddha is Bodhicitta: Holy Love, mercy, charity, gratitude and spiritual detachment.
Hinduism rather vaguely examines different phenomena. Hinduism more clearly examines the external objects of Karma Yoga, but Buddhism focuses on the inner world.
In conclusion, it is possible to sum up that there are significant differences between Hinduism and Buddhism. It is possible to mention that one of the biggest differences between Hinduism and Buddhism is the essence of the soul: in Hinduism, the essence of the soul is called the Ego, but in Buddhism, the Great Void.