Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the world's greatest and most influential religions. Both have been a part of India's culture for a long time and have had a great deal of effect on each other. Hinduism is India's archaic religion and Buddhism is the religion armed with just one message: end suffering. Both religions and cultures being very established in the eastern world are very respectable and should be as much as any other.
Both of these religions arose in South Asia, and thus stem from a similar philosophy and culture. Hinduism and Buddhism also contrast greatly with each other. Although similar in respect to general philosophy, Hinduism and Buddhism differ greatly on matters of social structure. The two religions also contrast because Hinduism omits and Buddhism emphasizes individual freedom to progress spiritually and socially in the current life. By comparing the two religions, one can easily see why it is that Hinduism has proved the more stable and Buddhism the more humanitarian philosophy.
Both Hinduism and Buddhism believe in peace and they are the most complex, diverse, and most tolerant of all world religions. The two religions believe in the process of reincarnation. Reincarnation is being reborn again with one soul. Inside this belief, they also believe that deeds, or activities, during ones life will determine where they will end up. If you live a good life, you will be rewarded by another good life, or you might be allowed finally to rejoin with Brahma. If you've led a bad life, you will remain on earth longer, and most likely have a bad life when you are reborn. Another similarity is that both Hinduism and Buddhism are very kind to animals. They believe every living creature has a soul, and through reincarnation, you might one day end up as one.
In Hinduism, one must try to live their life through Dharma. Dharma is the law of being, the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature and destiny.
