The Difference Between Hinduism and Buddhism

Comparisons of the Self, Brahman, and Nirvana in India's Religions

Jul 3, 2009

Hinduism and Buddhism both originated on the Indian subcontinent and so have a long shared history. Yet Buddhism originated as a reaction against the Vedic worldview.

Like siblings raised in the same household, Hinduism and Buddhism have a certain family resemblance. They both believe in rebirth, the teaching that everyone has lived many lives in the past and will be born again and again in the future. They both believe that experiences in life come as result of karma, or past deeds. Both propose paths to transcend the sorrows and ills of this world, and both utilize meditation as a means to liberation.

But like siblings, they have a long history of trying to distinguish themselves from each other. Whereas Hinduism grew out of the hymns of the Vedas and their attendant rites, the Buddha rejected the Vedas and the Vedic ethos. The Vedas are regarded as eternal revelation from the gods in Hinduism. Buddhist scripture, on the other hand consists of the collection of sermons spoken by the Buddha together with rules of monastic discipline and philosophical commentary.

Self and No-Self

Topping the list of metaphysical differences is the nature of the self. The Hindu atman is one’s immortal, unchanging Self, witness to the succession of an individual’s experiences, deaths, and rebirths. Buddhism, however, holds the doctrine of anatman: “no-self.” As a consequence of the doctrine of impermanence, there can be no unchanging self in Buddhism. Instead, there is a sense of selfhood arising from the interaction of the body, the senses and perceptions, mental faculties, and consciousness. The obvious question – “then what is reborn?” – has thus proven a thorny philosophical problem for Buddhist metaphysics.

Brahman vs. Emptiness

The ultimate nature of all things is another area of metaphysical dispute. Most forms of Hinduism hold that there is a supreme, divine essence to all things. In the Upanishads, Brahman is the name given to the essence that unifies everyone and everything. The world is merely an illusion, a cover thrown over the true nature of things. Through meditation, one finds the atman, and one finds that the Self is really Brahman.

In keeping with the doctrine of no-self, Buddhism denies the existence of an ultimate Being, or God, or Brahman. Much like the self, the world consists of a web of interrelationships. Your computer is “really” a collection of silicon chips and plastic casing and keys. It is only by convenience we designate this collection of parts a “computer.” Through meditative awareness, one learns to see appearances for what they are, and develop detachment.

Enlightenment through Renunciation

Who follows these religions? Hinduism was an all-encompassing worldview that organized society into different classes, such as the priests, the warriors, the merchants, and the farmers. It developed rules of conduct for each of these classes, assigning different dharma to each class in society as well as distinguishing gender roles. It allowed for those who truly want to find God to leave society in an act of renouncing all worldly ties, to wander and beg, pray and meditate.

This is where Buddhism began. The Buddha was one such who left home to seek liberation. Early Buddhism focused on those who left the life of settled society. Buddhist monks became known as bhikshus, “beggars,” from their habit of finding sustenance from the offerings of others. They were instructed to shave their heads, to take only a few possessions such as robes and a begging bowl, and live a life dedicated to weaning themselves from attachment to the world. Lay institutions were a later development in Buddhism, giving rise to complex interdependent relationships between monasteries and nearby communities.

Yet for these differences, one might ask if their goals are really that different. Both hold transcendence as an ideal. For the Buddhist, this is nirvana, which literally means the “extinction” of suffering. For Hindu, this is moksha, “release” from the sufferings of the world. The philosophies may differ, but both see salvation as a form of awakening to the nature of reality. For both, salvation lies in overcoming the desires that bind one to suffering in the world.

Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism. (Cambridge University Press, 1996).

The copyright of the article The Difference Between Hinduism and Buddhism in Buddhist Beliefs is owned by Matthew Bingley. Permission to republish The Difference Between Hinduism and Buddhism in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.