Geographical predominance: Founder: Place of origin:

Tibet, Sri Lanka.

India, Nepal

Gautama Buddha (born Prince Not credited to a particular founder. Siddhartha) Nepal, India Indian Subcontinent

Belief of God:

Buddhism does not believe in a Creator God; It does, however, have numerous non- Several beliefs depending on school of thought: creator deities. These dieties polytheism, monotheism, pantheism, etc. play no part in your own salvation and are not relevant. Priests, priestesses, monks, nuns. Desire leads to suffering. Sutras, Pali canon, Tipitaka. No official clergy. Gurus, Yogis, Rishis, Brahmins, Pundits, priests, priestesses, monks, and nuns. To follow dharma, i.e. eternal laws Vedas, Upanishad, Puranas, Gita. The word Hindu has geographical significance and was used originally for those people who lived beyond the river Sindhu or the region watered by the river Indus. Hindus themselves, call their religion "Sanatana Dharma, " meaning "Eternal Law." Dependent on school of thought. Monism/polytheism/Monotheism. Temple (Mandir) Meditation, Yoga, contemplation, yagna (communal worship), offerings in the temple.

Clergy: Principle: Scriptures:

Definition:

Follower of the Buddha.

Concept of Deity:

Believes in numerous deities but they cannot save you.

Place of worship: Pagodas, Watts, Temples. Meditation, contemplation, offerings in the temple, analyzing oneself. Numerous rebirths; may be punished in certain hells; ultimate Nirvana. Letting go of desire.

Practices:

Life after death:

A constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached. Reaching enlightenment by the Path of Knowledge, the Path of devotion, or the Path of Good Deeds.

Means of salvation:

Literal Meaning:

Buddhist: Meaning Follower of the Buddha.

The followers of Vedas are called as Arya, noble person. Arya is not a dynasty, ethnicity or race. Anyone who follows the teachings of Vedas is considered Arya. Encouraged To break the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation, and attain salvation.

Use of statues and pictures: Goal of religion:

Common. To gain enlightenment and nirvana.

Human Nature:

Desire, ignorance and Depends on sects. attachment lead to suffering. Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana. Buddhists believe in spiritual beings called 'Devas.' 400-500 Million Myriad The concept of angels does not apply in Hinduism. Some mythological stories include rishis, who sometimes serve as the messengers of God. 1 Billion.

Branches:

Angels:

Population: Time of origin:

2,500 years ago (circa 530 BC) circa 3000 BC Indian Subcontinent, beginning with the Vedic civilization circa 3000 BC Some Hindus believe in a "thread ceremony" for men. A constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached after which moksha is attained.

Place and Time of Nepal origin: Rites: Views on the afterlife: Samsara/Pali Reincarnation; several types of Hells; ultimate Nirvana

View of God:

Buddhism does not believe in Monists believe only Brahman exists, Pantheists a Supreme Creator; rather it believe all things/entities are God, Monotheistic sects believes in numerous nonconsider God as immanent and transcendent and creator deities. These dieties different from others. The Nasadiya Sukta even play no part in your own explores creation-ex-nihilo. salvation and are not relevant. Buddha is the teacher to show Diverse beliefs depending on sects. us the way to salvation.

Belief:

Goal of Philosophy: View of the Buddha:

Enlightenment.

Salvation, freedom from the cycle of birth and reincarnation. Some Hindu sects claim Buddha was an avatar of Vishnu. Others believe he was a holy man.

Central figure of the religion.

Marriage:

Layperson is allowed to marry and live a good and moral life. Man may marry one woman. However, kiings in Some Buddhist schools (Zen) mythology often married more than one woman. allow Priests to marry.

Yes, since Buddhism does not Religion which believe in a Supreme Creator; Charvakas and Sankyas are atheistic groups in atheists may still it is not necessary for a Hinduism. be adherents of: Buddhist to believe in any particular Buddhist deity. Promised Holy one.: Use of statues: Meitreya Allowed The 10th Avatar of Vishnu Allowed The deity often varies from sect to sect. Smarta/Monists sect believes Everything is God. There are monotheistic sects also. Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Beliefs vary by sect. Upanishads (scripture) say God chooses who gets salvation. Salvation is attained via good deeds and righteousness (following the "dharma" and avoiding sin)

Belief of God:

N/A

Offshoot religions:

None. Only Denominations.

God's role in salvation:

N/A

Religious Law: Original Language(s):

The Eightfold Path is viewed dharma shastras as principles more than laws. Pali (followed by Sanskrit) Sanskrit No prophets in religion, but Rishis would be considered equivalent to prophets in Vedic times. Avataras of Vedic God are different from human reincarnations, but would be considered equivalent to

Prophets:

Prophets do not exist, but some Buddhist Schools have holy men such as Dalai Lama

(Lama).

Christian idea of God in flesh.

Status of Vedas:

Gautama Buddha believed and preached that the Vedas were originally sacred texts Vedas are generally regarded as sacred in Hinduism. that were corrupted by some Post-Vedic texts like the Gita are also revered. Brahmins by introducing practices such as animal sacrifice.