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== Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism ==
Buddhism and Hinduism are two major religions that originated in ancient India.<ref name="ref1" /> They share common concepts such as karma, dharma, and the cycle of rebirth known as samsara.<ref name="ref2" /><ref name="ref3" /> However, the two religions have pronounced differences in their fundamental doctrines, including the nature of a supreme being, the concept of the self, and the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation.<ref name="ref1" />

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in the 5th century BCE. Hinduism, on the other hand, has no single founder and is considered one of the world's oldest religions, with its roots tracing back to the Vedic period.<ref name="ref4" /><ref name="ref5" />

One of the most significant distinctions lies in the concept of a creator God. Hinduism is a diverse tradition that encompasses a wide range of beliefs including monotheism, polytheism, and henotheism.<ref name="ref3" /> Many Hindus worship a pantheon of gods and goddesses who are seen as manifestations of a single supreme reality, Brahman. In contrast, Buddhism is generally considered non-theistic, as it does not posit the existence of a creator God.<ref name="ref3" /> While Buddhist cosmology includes various deities or *devas*, they are mortal beings subject to the cycle of rebirth and are not worshiped as creators.<ref name="ref1" /> The Buddha himself is revered as an enlightened teacher, not a god.<ref name="ref3" />

Another key difference is the concept of the soul. Hinduism teaches the existence of the *Ātman*, which is the eternal, unchanging self or soul of an individual. The ultimate goal in many Hindu traditions is *Moksha*, the liberation of the Ātman from samsara to achieve union with Brahman. Buddhism, conversely, posits the doctrine of *Anatman* (non-self), which states that there is no permanent, unchanging soul. According to Buddhist teachings, the idea of a permanent self is an illusion that is a source of suffering.

The ultimate spiritual goal also differs. In Hinduism, *Moksha* is the liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. In Buddhism, the goal is *Nirvana*, which is the extinguishing of the "three fires" of greed, hatred, and ignorance, leading to the cessation of suffering and an end to the cycle of rebirth. While<ref name="ref2" /> both concepts involve liberation from samsara, their philosophical underpinnings are distinct, with Moksha being rooted in the realization of the Ātman and Nirvana in the realization of Anatman.

The two religions also have different views on the caste system. The traditional Hindu social structure is intertwined with the caste system, a social hierarchy determined by birth. The Buddha, however, rejected the religious basis of the caste system, teaching that a person's worth is determined by their actions, not their birth.

=== Comparison Table ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Category !! Hinduism !! Buddhism
|-
| **Founder**
| No single founder; developed over centuries.
| Siddhartha<ref name="ref4" /> Gautama (the Buddha) in the 5th century BCE.
|-
| **Concept of God**
| Varies; can be monotheistic, polytheistic, or henotheistic. Belief in Brahman as the ultimate reality.
| Generally non-theistic; does not focus on a creator God. Deities exist but are not eternal.
|-
| **Concept of Self**
| Belief in the *Ātman*, the eternal and unchanging soul.
| Doctrine<ref name="ref1" /> of *Anatman*, meaning there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.
|-
<ref name="ref1" />| **Ultimate Goal**
| *Moksha*: Liberation of the soul from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and union with Brahman.
| *Nirvana<ref name="ref2" />*: Extinguishing of desires and suffering to end the cycle of rebirth (samsara).
|-
<ref name="ref2" />| **Key Scriptures**
| The Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata.
| The Tripitaka (Pali Canon), which includes the teachings of the Buddha.
|-
| **View on Caste System**
| Historically intertwined with a social hierarchy based on birth (varna and jati).
| Generally rejects the caste system, emphasizing that actions determine an individual's worth, not birth.
|}

[[File:Venn_diagram_Differences_between_Buddhism_versus_Hinduism_comparison.png|thumb|center|800px|alt=Venn diagram for Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism|Venn diagram comparing Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism]]

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="ref1">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_Hinduism "wikipedia.org"]. Retrieved October 15, 2025.</ref>
<ref name="ref2">[https://medium.com/interfaith-now/hinduism-and-buddhism-similarities-and-differences-in-belief-and-practice-324f7057a247 "medium.com"]. Retrieved October 15, 2025.</ref>
<ref name="ref3">[https://bhaktimarga.ie/buddhism-hinduism/ "bhaktimarga.ie"]. Retrieved October 15, 2025.</ref>
<ref name="ref4">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_caste "wikipedia.org"]. Retrieved October 15, 2025.</ref>
<ref name="ref5">[https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/buddhism-hinduism-differences-similarities/ "byjus.com"]. Retrieved October 15, 2025.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Comparisons]]

Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism - Revision history

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