The ancient Vedic faith of Hinduism is perhaps the oldest organized
surviving religion today – so old that it predates history. Thought to
have originated around 3000 BCE, it cannot be attributed to any single
founder, does not worship any single God, and does not follow any
single philosophy. Buddhism was founded around the teachings of Gautama
Buddha a little before 500 BCE. Born as Prince Siddhartha, he renounced
his material wealth at the age of 29. On realizing that life was full
of pain and suffering that material wealth could not alleviate, he
began his search for the Ultimate Truth, and after years of penance, he
attained Enlightenment at the age of 35. He rejected the ritualism and
caste system of the Vedic brahmanical system that he was born into, and
preached a moderate path of neither indulgence nor self-mortification
in the attainment of liberation (Nirvana).
The philosophies of Buddhism that are similar to Hinduism are:
- The belief that the soul is immortal
- The principle of karma – cause and effect of one’s actions
- The concept of rebirth to neutralize good and bad karma
- The ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of life and death (Moksha/ Nirvana)
Those that are not:
- Buddha rejected the rituals and symbols of worship of Hinduism.
- Buddha rejected the Hindu caste system, and taught of the equality of all living creatures.
- Buddhism advocates non-violence – Hinduism encourages standing up
for oneself when the need arises, and going to war if necessary.
