1. Buddhism vs. Hinduism By Kelsey and Isabel

2. Gods Buddhism has no supreme god, but has one great teacher called “the Buddha”. Hinduism has one god named Brahman, but Brahman is split into several different gods/goddesses based on personalities and powers. The three main gods that are split from Brahman represent creation, preservation, and destruction.

3. Caste System Hinduism has made a caste system to separate the people into 5 classes: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaisyas (skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials), Sudras (unskilled workers), and Pariah (outcastes, “untouchables”). Buddhism rejected the caste system because The Buddha believed that there were evil and wicked, and virtuous and kind people in each caste. He believed that karma will fall on everyone fairly no matter their caste.

4. Asceticism and Altered State of Mind Buddhists practice the “middle way” (between asceticism and an altered state of mind) and the Hindus practice the yogas (Karma, Jnana, Raja, Kundalini, and Bhakti). 1.Karma: selfish actions bind the soul/service 2.Jhana: promotes knowledge through study, seclusion, and sense abnegation. 3.Raja: royal meditaton 4.Bhakti: absolute devotion 5.Kundalini: spiritual energy/psychic center Buddha believed that the only way to achieve peace and happiness was to follow the 4 noble truths. 1.Life is suffering 2.Suffering comes from desire 3.To end suffering, end desire 4.Eight fold path

5. Karma and the Soul Both Buddhism and Hinduism believe in karma. -Good actions bring good karma -Bad actions bring bad karma Buddhists don’t believe in the notion of the soul and that no person has one permanent identity. Hindus believe that there is an internal soul and its called atman.

6. Scriptures Buddhist scriptures are called the sutras. -They’re not all scriptures -They’re also commentaries, rules for monks and nuns, and fables about the lives of the Buddha. Hindu scriptures are called the vedas. -They’re considered the unchallenged authority -There are still memorized and recited

7. Do No Harm Both Hinduism and Buddhism believe in ahimsa, which to do no harm. They also practice being a person of compassion. They practice ahimsa by avoiding jobs or activities that could cause harm to anyone or anything. They also are vegetarians and they are very careful on how they farm.