Differences Buddhism and Hinduism

1 differences

1.1 god
1.2 rites , rituals
1.3 caste
1.4 cosmology , worldview
1.5 practices
1.6 meditation
1.7 vedas
1.8 conversion
1.9 soteriology

1.9.1 nonduality
1.9.2 nirvana

differences

despite similarities in terminology there exist differences between 2 religions. there no evidence show buddhism ever subscribed vedic sacrifices, vedic deities or caste.

the major differences mentioned below.

god

gautama buddha ambiguous existence of creator deity brahman , eternal self atman , rejected them both. various sources pali cannon , others suggest buddha taught belief in creator deity not essential attaining liberation suffering, , perhaps chose ignore theological questions because fascinating discuss, , brought more conflict , anger peace. buddha did not deny existence of popular gods of vedic pantheon, rather argued these devas, may in more exalted state humans, still nevertheless trapped in same samsaric cycle of suffering other beings , not worthy of veneration , worship. focus of noble eightfold path, while inheriting many practices , ideologies previous hindu yogic tradition, deviates teachings of bhagavad gita , earlier works of dharmic religions in liberation (nirvana or moksha) not attained via unity brahman (the godhead), self-realization or worship. rather, buddha s teaching centers around eknath easwaran described psychology of desire, attaining liberation suffering extermination of self-will, selfish desire , passions. not however, such teachings absent previous hindu tradition, rather singled out , separated vedic theology.

the buddha (as portrayed in pali scriptures, agamas) set important trend in nontheism in buddhism establishing non-theistic view on notion of omnipotent god, ignoring issue being irrelevant teachings. nevertheless, in many passages in tripitaka gods (devas in sanskrit) mentioned , specific examples given of individuals reborn god, or gods reborn humans. buddhist cosmology recognizes various levels , types of gods, none of these gods considered creator of world or of human race.

buddhist canonical views god , priests are:

13. then, vasettha, ancient sages versed in ancient scriptures, authors of verses, utterers of verses, whose, ancient form of words chanted, uttered, or composed, priests of today chant on again or repeat; intoning or reciting has been intoned or recited-to wit, atthaka, vamaka, vamadeva, vessamitta, yamataggi, angirasa, bharadvaja, vasettha, kassapa, , bhagu [11] – did speak thus, saying: know it, have seen , creator whence creator is?

scholar-monk walpola rahula writes man depends on god own protection, safety, , security, child depends on parent. describes product of ignorance, weakness, fear, , desire, , writes , fanatically held belief man s consolation false , empty perspective of buddhism. writes man not wish hear or understand teachings against belief, , buddha described teachings against current reason. wrote self-protection man created god , self-preservation man created soul .

in later mahayana literature, however, idea of eternal, all-pervading, all-knowing, immaculate, uncreated , deathless ground of being (the dharmadhatu, inherently linked sattvadhatu, realm of beings), awakened mind (bodhicitta) or dharmakaya ( body of truth ) of buddha himself, attributed buddha in number of mahayana sutras, , found in various tantras well. in mahayana texts, such principle presented manifesting in more personalised form primordial buddha, such samantabhadra, vajradhara, vairochana, amitabha , adi-buddha, among others.

rites , rituals

in later tradition such mahayana buddhism in japan, shingon fire ritual (homa /yagna) , urabon (sanskrit: ullambana) derives hindu traditions. similar rituals common in tibetan buddhism. both mahayana buddhism , hinduism share common rites, such purification rite of homa (havan, yagna in sanskrit), prayers ancestors , deceased (ullambana in sanskrit, urabon in japanese).

caste

the buddha repudiated caste distinctions of brahmanical religion, offering ordination regardless of caste.

while caste system constitutes assumed background stories told in buddhist scriptures, sutras not attempt justify or explain system. in aggañña sutta, buddha elaborates if of caste following deeds: killing, taking not given, take part in sexual misconduct, lying, slandering, speaking rough words or nonsense, greedy, cruel, , practice wrong beliefs; people still see negative deeds , therefore not worthy or deserving respect. trouble own deeds, whatever caste (brahmin, khattiya, vessa, , sudda) might be.

cosmology , worldview

in buddhist cosmology, there 31 planes of existence within samsara. beings in these realms subject rebirth after period of time, except realms of non-returners. therefore, of these places not goal of holy life in buddha s dispensation. buddhas beyond these 31 planes of existence after parinibbana. hindu texts mentions devas in kamma loka. hindu god brahma can found in rupa loka. there many realms above brahma realm accessible through meditation. in brahma realms subject rebirth according buddha.

practices

to have idea of differences between buddhism , pre-existing beliefs , practices during time, can samaññaphala sutta in digha nikaya of pali canon. in sutra, king of magadha listed teachings many prominent , famous spiritual teachers around during time. asked buddha teaching when visiting him. buddha told king practices of spiritual path. list of various practices taught disciples practices doesn t encourage listed. text, rather stating new faith was, emphasized new faith not. contemporaneous religious traditions caricatured , negated. though critical of prevailing religious practices , social institutions on philosophical grounds, buddhist texts exhibit reactionary anxiety @ having compete in religiously plural societies. below few examples found in sutra:

whereas priests , contemplatives... addicted high , luxurious furnishings such these — over-sized couches, couches adorned carved animals, long-haired coverlets, multi-colored patchwork coverlets, white woolen coverlets, woolen coverlets embroidered flowers or animal figures, stuffed quilts, coverlets fringe, silk coverlets embroidered gems; large woolen carpets; elephant, horse, , chariot rugs, antelope-hide rugs, deer-hide rugs; couches awnings, couches red cushions head , feet — (a bhikkhu disciple of buddha) abstains using high , luxurious furnishings such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives... addicted scents, cosmetics, , means of beautification such these — rubbing powders body, massaging oils, bathing in perfumed water, kneading limbs, using mirrors, ointments, garlands, scents, ... bracelets, head-bands, decorated walking sticks... fancy sunshades, decorated sandals, turbans, gems, yak-tail whisks, long-fringed white robes — abstains ... means of beautification such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives... addicted talking lowly topics such these — talking kings, robbers, ministers of state; armies, alarms, , battles; food , drink; clothing, furniture, garlands, , scents; relatives; vehicles; villages, towns, cities, countryside; women , heroes; gossip of street , well; tales of dead; tales of diversity [philosophical discussions of past , future], creation of world , of sea, , talk of whether things exist or not — abstains talking lowly topics such these...

whereas priests , contemplatives...are addicted running messages , errands people such these — kings, ministers of state, noble warriors, priests, householders, or youths [who say], go here, go there, take there, fetch here  — abstains running messages , errands people such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives...engage in scheming, persuading, hinting, belittling, , pursuing gain gain, abstains forms of scheming , persuading [improper ways of trying gain material support donors] such these. whereas priests , contemplatives...maintain wrong livelihood, such lowly arts as: reading marks on limbs [e.g., palmistry]; reading omens , signs; interpreting celestial events [falling stars, comets]; interpreting dreams; reading marks on body [e.g., phrenology]; reading marks on cloth gnawed mice; offering fire oblations, oblations ladle, oblations of husks, rice powder, rice grains, ghee, , oil; offering oblations mouth; offering blood-sacrifices; making predictions based on fingertips; geomancy; laying demons in cemetery; placing spells on spirits; reciting house-protection charms; snake charming, poison-lore, scorpion-lore, rat-lore, bird-lore, crow-lore; fortune-telling based on visions; giving protective charms; interpreting calls of birds , animals — abstains wrong livelihood, lowly arts such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives...maintain wrong livelihood, such lowly arts as: determining lucky , unlucky gems, garments, staffs, swords, spears, arrows, bows, , other weapons; women, boys, girls, male slaves, female slaves; elephants, horses, buffaloes, bulls, cows, goats, rams, fowl, quails, lizards, long-eared rodents, tortoises, , other animals — abstains wrong livelihood, lowly arts such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives... maintain wrong livelihood, such lowly arts forecasting: rulers march forth; rulers march forth , return; our rulers attack, , rulers retreat; rulers attack, , our rulers retreat; there triumph our rulers , defeat rulers; there triumph rulers , defeat our rulers; there triumph, there defeat — abstains wrong livelihood, lowly arts such these. whereas priests , contemplatives...maintain wrong livelihood, such lowly arts forecasting: there lunar eclipse; there solar eclipse; there occultation of asterism; sun , moon go normal courses; sun , moon go astray; asterisms go normal courses; asterisms go astray; there meteor shower; there darkening of sky; there earthquake; there thunder coming clear sky; there rising, setting, darkening, brightening of sun, moon, , asterisms; such result of lunar eclipse... rising, setting, darkening, brightening of sun, moon, , asterisms — abstains wrong livelihood, lowly arts such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives...maintain wrong livelihood, such lowly arts forecasting: there abundant rain; there drought; there plenty; there famine; there rest , security; there danger; there disease; there freedom disease; or earn living counting, accounting, calculation, composing poetry, or teaching hedonistic arts , doctrines — abstains wrong livelihood, lowly arts such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives...maintain wrong livelihood, such lowly arts as: calculating auspicious dates marriages, betrothals, divorces; collecting debts or making investments , loans; being attractive or unattractive; curing women have undergone miscarriages or abortions; reciting spells bind man s tongue, paralyze jaws, make him lose control on hands, or bring on deafness; getting oracular answers questions addressed mirror, young girl, or spirit medium; worshipping sun, worshipping great bref>walpola rahula, buddha taught, pp. 51–52.rahma, bringing forth flames mouth, invoking goddess of luck — abstains wrong livelihood, lowly arts such these.

whereas priests , contemplatives...maintain wrong livelihood, such lowly arts as: promising gifts devas in return favors; fulfilling such promises; demonology; teaching house-protection spells; inducing virility , impotence; consecrating sites construction; giving ceremonial mouthwashes , ceremonial bathing; offering sacrificial fires; administering emetics, purges, purges above, purges below, head-purges; administering ear-oil, eye-drops, treatments through nose, ointments, , counter-ointments; practicing eye-surgery (or: extractive surgery), general surgery, pediatrics; administering root-medicines binding medicinal herbs — abstains wrong livelihood, lowly arts such these.

meditation

according maha-saccaka sutta, buddha recalled meditative state entered chance child , abandoned ascetic practices has been doing:

i thought, recall once, when father sakyan working, , sitting in cool shade of rose-apple tree, then — quite secluded sensuality, secluded unskillful mental qualities — entered & remained in first jhana: rapture & pleasure born seclusion, accompanied directed thought & evaluation. path awakening? following on memory came realization: path awakening.

according upakkilesa sutta, after figuring out cause of various obstacles , overcoming them, buddha able penetrate sign , enters 1st- 4th jhana.

i saw both light , vision of forms. shortly after vision of light , shapes disappear. thought, cause , condition in light , vision of forms disappear?”

then consider following: question arose in me , because of doubt concentration fell, when concentration fell, light disappeared , vision of forms. act question not arise in me again.”

i remained diligent, ardent, perceived both light , vision of forms. shortly after vision of light , shapes disappear. thought, cause , condition in light , vision of forms disappear?”

then consider following: “inattention arose in me because of inattention , concentration has decreased, when concentration fell, light disappeared , vision of forms. must act in such way neither doubt nor disregard arise in me again.”

in same way above, buddha encountered many more obstacles caused light disappear , found way out of them. these include sloth , torpor, fear, elation, inertia, excessive energy, energy deficient, desire, perception of diversity, , excessive meditation on ways. finally, able penetrate light , entered jhana.

the following descriptions in upakkilesa sutta further show how find way first 4 jhanas, later considered samma samadhi.

when anuruddha, realized doubt imperfection of mind, dropped out of doubt, imperfection of mind. when realized inattention ... sloth , torpor ... fear ... elation ... inertia ... excessive energy ... deficient energy ... desire ... perception of diversity ... excessive meditation on ways, abandoned excessive meditation on ways, imperfection of mind. when anuruddha, realized doubt imperfection of mind, dropped out of doubt, imperfection of mind. when realized inattention ... sloth , torpor ... fear ... elation ... inertia ... excessive energy ... deficient energy... desire ... perception of diversity ... excessive meditation on ways, abandoned excessive meditation on ways, imperfection of mind, thought, ‘i abandoned these imperfections of mind. ‘ concentration develop in 3 ways. ..and so, anuruddha, develop concentration directed thought , sustained thought; developed concentration without directed thought, sustained thought; developed concentration without directed thought , without thought sustained, developed concentration ecstasy; developed concentration without ecstasy; develop concentration accompanied happiness, developing concentration accompanied equanimity...when anuruddha, developed concentration directed thought , sustained thought development ... when concentration accompanied fairness, knowledge , vision arose in me: ‘my release unshakable, last birth, there no more condition.

according scriptures, buddha learned 2 formless attainments 2 teachers, alara kalama , uddaka ramaputta respectively, prior enlightenment. belonged brahmanical tradition. however, realized neither dimension of nothingness nor dimension of neither perception nor non-perception lead nirvana , left. buddha said in ariyapariyesana sutta:

but thought occurred me, dhamma leads not disenchantment, dispassion, cessation, stilling, direct knowledge, awakening, nor unbinding, reappearance in dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. so, dissatisfied dhamma, left.

cessation of feelings , perceptions

the buddha himself discovered attainment beyond dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, cessation of feelings , perceptions . called ninth jhāna in commentarial , scholarly literature. although dimension of nothingness , dimension of neither perception nor non-perception included in list of 9 jhanas taught buddha, not included in noble eightfold path. noble path number 8 samma samadhi (right concentration), , first 4 jhanas considered right concentration . if takes disciple through jhanas, emphasis on cessation of feelings , perceptions rather stopping short @ dimension of neither perception nor non-perception .

in magga-vibhanga sutta, buddha defines right concentration belongs concentration (samadhi) division of path first 4 jhanas:

and right concentration? there case monk — quite withdrawn sensuality, withdrawn unskillful (mental) qualities — enters & remains in first jhana: rapture & pleasure born withdrawal, accompanied directed thought & evaluation. stilling of directed thoughts & evaluations, enters & remains in second jhana: rapture & pleasure born of composure, unification of awareness free directed thought & evaluation — internal assurance. fading of rapture, remains equanimous, mindful, & alert, , senses pleasure body. enters & remains in third jhana, of noble ones declare, equanimous & mindful, has pleasant abiding. abandoning of pleasure & pain — earlier disappearance of elation & distress — enters & remains in fourth jhana: purity of equanimity & mindfulness, neither pleasure nor pain. called right concentration.

the buddha did not reject formless attainments in , of themselves, instead doctrines of teachers whole, did not lead nibbana. underwent harsh ascetic practices became disillusioned with. subsequently remembered entering jhāna child, , realized that, indeed path enlightenment.

in suttas, immaterial attainments never referred jhānas. immaterial attainments have more expanding, while jhanas (1-4) focus on concentration. common translation term samadhi concentration. rhys davids , maurice walshe agreed term ” samadhi” not found in pre-buddhist text. hindu texts later used term indicate state of enlightenment. not in conformity buddhist usage. in long discourse of buddha: translation of digha nikaya (pg. 1700) maurice walshe wrote,

rhys davids states term samadhi not found in pre-buddhist text. remarks on subject should added subsequent use in hindu texts denote state of enlightenment not in conformity buddhist usage, basic meaning of concentration expanded cover meditation in general.

meditation aspect of practice of yogis in centuries preceding buddha. buddha built upon yogis concern introspection , developed meditative techniques, rejected theories of liberation. in buddhism, sati , sampajanna developed @ times, in pre-buddhist yogic practices there no such injunction. yogi in brahmanical tradition not practice while defecating, example, while buddhist monastic should so.

another new teaching of buddha meditative absorption must combined liberating cognition.

religious knowledge or vision indicated result of practice both within , outside buddhist fold. according samaññaphala sutta sort of vision arose buddhist adept result of perfection of meditation (sanskrit: dhyāna) coupled perfection of ethics (sanskrit: śīla). of buddha s meditative techniques shared other traditions of day, idea ethics causally related attainment of religious insight (sanskrit: prajñā) original.

the buddhist texts earliest describing meditation techniques. describe meditative practices , states existed before buddha, first developed within buddhism. 2 upanishads written after rise of buddhism contain full-fledged descriptions of yoga means liberation.

while there no convincing evidence meditation in pre-buddhist brahminic texts, wynne argues formless meditation originated in brahminic or shramanic tradition, based on strong parallels between upanishadic cosmological statements , meditative goals of 2 teachers of buddha recorded in buddhist texts. mentions less possibilities well. having argued cosmological statements in upanishads reflect contemplative tradition, argues nasadiya sukta contains evidence contemplative tradition, late rg vedic period.

vedas

buddhism not deny vedas in true origin sacred although maintains vedas have been amended repeatedly brahmins secure positions in society. buddha declared veda in true form declared kashyapa rishis, severe penances had acquired power see divine eyes. in buddhist vinaya pitaka of mahavagga (i.245) section buddha names these rishis. names of vedic rishis atthako, vâmako, vâmadevo, vessâmitto, yamataggi, angiraso, bhâradvâjo, vâsettho, kassapo, , bhagu altered few brahmins introduced animal sacrifices. vinaya pitaka s section anguttara nikaya: panchaka nipata says on alteration of true veda buddha refused pay respect vedas of time.

the buddha recorded in canki sutta (majjhima nikaya 95) saying group of brahmins:

o vasettha, priests know scriptures line of blind men tied first sees nothing, middle man nothing, , last sees nothing.

in same discourse, says:

it not proper wise man maintains truth come conclusion: alone truth, , else false.

he recorded saying:

to attached 1 thing (to view) , down upon other things (views) inferior – wise men call fetter.

walpola rahula writes, question of knowing , seeing, , not of believing. teaching of buddha qualified ehi-passika, inviting come , see, not come , believe... seeing through knowledge or wisdom, , not believing through faith in buddhism.

in hinduism, philosophies classified either astika or nastika, is, philosophies either affirm or reject authorities of vedas. according tradition, buddhism nastika school since rejects authority of vedas. buddhists on whole called did not believe in buddhism outer path-farers (tiirthika).

conversion

since hindu scriptures silent on issue of religious conversion, issue of whether hindus evangelize open interpretations. view hinduism ethnicity more religion tend believe hindu, 1 must born hindu. however, see hinduism philosophy, set of beliefs, or way of life believe 1 can convert hinduism incorporating hindu beliefs 1 s life , considering oneself hindu. supreme court of india has taken latter view, holding question of whether person hindu should determined person s belief system, not ethnic or racial heritage.

buddhism spread throughout asia via evangelism , conversion. buddhist scriptures depict such conversions in form of lay followers declaring support buddha , teachings, or via ordination buddhist monk. buddhist identity has been broadly defined 1 takes refuge in buddha, dharma, , sangha, echoing formula seen in buddhist texts. in communities, formal conversion rituals observed. no specific ethnicity has typically been associated buddhism, , spread beyond origin in india immigrant monastics replaced newly ordained members of local ethnic or tribal group.

soteriology

upanishadic soteriology focused on static self, while buddha s focused on dynamic agency. in former paradigm, change , movement illusion; realize self reality realize has been case. in buddha s system contrast, 1 has make things happen.

the fire metaphor used in aggi-vacchagotta sutta (which used elsewhere) radical way of making point liberated sage beyond phenomenal experience. makes additional point indefinable, transcendent state sage s state during life. idea goes against brahminic notion of liberation @ death.

liberation brahminic yogin thought permanent realization @ death of nondual meditative state anticipated in life. in fact, old brahminic metaphors liberation @ death of yogic adept ( becoming cool , going out ) given new meaning buddha; point of reference became sage liberated in life. buddha taught these meditative states alone not offer decisive , permanent end suffering either during life or after death.

he stated achieving formless attainment no further practice lead temporary rebirth in formless realm after death. moreover, gave pragmatic refutation of brahminical theories according meditator, meditative state, , proposed uncaused, unborn, unanalyzable self, identical. these theories undergirded upanishadic correspondence between macrocosm , microcosm, perspective not surprising meditative states of consciousness thought identical subtle strata of cosmos. buddha, in contrast, argued states of consciousness come caused , conditioned yogi s training , techniques, , therefore no state of consciousness eternal self.

nonduality

both buddha s conception of liberated person , goal of brahminic yoga can characterized nondual, in different ways. nondual goal in brahminism conceived in ontological terms; goal 1 merges after death. according wynne, liberation buddha ... nondual in another, more radical, sense. made clear in dialogue upasiva, liberated sage defined has passed beyond conceptual dualities. concepts might have meaning in ordinary discourse, such consciousness or lack of it, existence , non-existence, etc., not apply sage. buddha, propositions not applicable liberated person, because language , concepts (sn 1076: vaadapathaa, dhammaa), sort of intellectual reckoning (sankhaa) not apply liberated sage.

nirvana

nirvana (or nibbana in pali language) means literally blowing out or quenching . term pre-buddhist, etymology not conclusive finding out exact meaning highest goal of buddhism. must kept in mind nirvana 1 of many terms salvation occur in orthodox buddhist scriptures. other terms appear vimokha , or vimutti , implying salvation , deliverance respectively. more words synonymously used nirvana in buddhist scriptures mokkha/moksha , meaning liberation , kevala/kaivalya , meaning wholeness ; these words given new buddhist meaning.

the concept of nirvana has been found among other religions such hinduism, jainism, , sikhism.