Why Buddhists are not considered as Hindu since both have the same religious philosophy?

Answer 1

Though Buddha attained the enlightenment, but he did it only by following one of many paths already in existence in India those days. He did not find out any thing new. 'Buddhism' etymologically means 'the path of enlightenment'. Hence, it is the same what people call as Hinduism. But Indian philosophy talks of many ways to reach the Truth one of which was adopted by Gautama Buddha. That path of yoga is named after him with almost no variation. It is a sort of plagiarism, but not strictly so because the traditions in India are hardly individualized.

Answer 2

Buddhists are called rebels among Hindus, as told by Swami Vivekananda.

Answer 3

But I know many Hindu scholars who consider the Buddhists as a part of Hindus only, though the civilisation is different according to the country one belongs to. In India the culture, civilisation and the religion are all clubbed in the word Hinduism.

Answer 4

Budhism does not accept Vedic Religion and its declaration about Brahman. There is no concept of God or Soul. Only ethical goodness is explained to sublimate human life which is subject to sufferings of sorts like disease, old age, death etc. The "liberated" soul is said to wean itself from the birth cycle - a belief akin to Hinduism - and be in a invisible state of perfect Peace (Nirvana). The religions not believing in Vedas were described as Atheist Religions and Budhism and Jainism fall under this category. The religion gained popularity at a time when Ritualists dominated the society and average Hindus were disillusioned with the Karmic Maarg prevalent at that time. But the Budhist philosophy against Vedic rituals was effectively countered by a great person Kumaarila Battar who reasoned with skill the need for the performance of the rituals in the manner told in vedas. Similarly there was no Bhakthi Maarg also in Budhism as there was no concept of God. Another great person Udayanachar who was a great scholar and skilled in debating, effectively countered the Vacuum theory of Budha and established the existence of a Super Soul whose love could be harnessed through Bhakthi for liberation. Later Adhi Sankara integrated the paths of Karma, Bhakthi and Gnaana and reestablished Advaita philosophy. The school books of Indians from British period mention only about Budhism Jainism etc and do not mention some very significant persons of Hinduism who lived even before Adhi Sankara and effectively refuted the Budhist philosophy that rejected Vedic rituals as also mention of a God / Super Soul. That was part of deliberate measures against Hindu philosophy which is a separate issue. Elders say that Budha reached a significant state of spiritual wisdom but did not proceed further to explore the metaphysical basis for the force of ethical values in spiritual sense. For, the goal of the Prince turned Budha was just to find the cause of human suffering and the first stage of revelation satiated him as he found how to escape from suffering and started his mission straight away. But many Hindus in their tradition of respect for all saints, did adore him even while holding on to their own tradition. They were touched by his great ethical purity that they even called Him the incarnation of Vishnu. Even if the Budhists disregard Hindu practices, the Hindus do hold them in esteem in the tradition of "Ekam sath, vipraha bahudha vadanthi" (Truth is One Saints call it variously - an advice for religious harmony given by saints).

Answer 5

Slow down cowboy. Same religious beliefs? No, check out the caste system and Buddha as a savior. They share some beliefs but are not the same.

Answer 6

There is on god in Buddhism there are a few in Hindu.

You could ask the same question of Jews, Christians and Muslims - same basic book - yet they cannot ever sot murdering each other - even using the same basic book to justify it

Answer 7

Don't hindis believe in thousands of Gods? Buddhists do not.

Answer 8

The same reason Christians aren't considered Jews.

Answer 9

Not really. Buddhism is more a philosophy than a religion.

Answer 10

In reply to the misleading answer by my learned predecessor.

In India during ancient days the Caste System was not a social system to operate on hereditary basis to determine castes. It was designed to get the best in each individual according to her or his natural endowments and capacities. It was a well organised division of labour system to maximise the returns for the society from the individuals. This system has been borrowed by Plato in his concept of an Ideal State in his 'Republic'.

But in course of time, the well designed economic system has corrupted into a social system which was exploited by the Muslims and later, by the Christian missionaries to get converts among 'the depressed class' in India. The phrase 'depressed clas' was an invent of the colonial rulers to divide Indians and facilitate their rule as well as conversion drive by Christian missionaries. Mahatma Gandhi has condemned it as a blemish in the Hindu system. To day the elite indians do not recognise the caste system but Maoist groups like Lohia Manch, Ambedkar Manch etc. would like to perpetuate the inter class hostility for destabilising the divided society. The present politicians in India like Mayadevi's BSP and the Congress Party are exploiting the situation as 'Dalit vote bank' to win elections.

During Buddha's time in the 6th century B.C. there was no caste system in Indian society. Buddha emerged in Indian society to dilute the rigidity introduced by the ruling elite by making Hinduism a trait full of rituals for material gains (Karma Kanda as distinguished from Gnyana Kanda in the Vedas).

Dr. B.R.Ambedkar embraced Buddhism to continue as a Hindu by culture, in preference to Islam and Christianity where the Indian convert looses his rich and unique native culture.

'geerowkool', better refresh his knowledge in Indian history. The Communists in India have been propagating the fictitious history which are designed to perpetuate the class distinction so as to kill the 'class enemies' and grab political power. 'geerowkool' appears to be a Maoist who has insinuated into the yahoo answers which is not his field.