m as the same ideas of everything being one and the same are expressed in different contexts. Both religions are also similarly based on attaining a certain knowledge in order to reach salvation or Nirvana. Hinduism follows that salvation is sought by kn

Hinduism, or traditional Indian Vedanta religion, had its origins in the Indus Valley region of northwest India some time between 2500 and 1500 B.C. The early history of Hinduism is dated by the sacred texts of which the most important is the Rig Veda that consists of more than 1,000 hymns or poems composed by rishis. Early Hinduism began with public worships outside with very simplistic altars. In time the ceremonies became more elaborate with different priests for different functions. The ceremonies also changed to focus more on the sacrifices, whose meanings began to extend beyond just the Gods. After a while, domestic rites became more common and public rites were reserved for harvest, rain, and spring. These constant changes that took place in Hinduism's history give it a very complex origin. It is no wonder "Hinduism" actually refers to many subsets of Indians faiths.

owledge; but it is vague in describing what knowledge that is and how to obtain it. Buddhism on the other hand spells out exactly how to live life in order to reach Nirvana. The process of reaching the final destination differs between the religions. The reincarnation of Hinduism can be described as "stuck" in the cycle until knowledge is attained; the person has little control over the multiple lives they need to live out before reaching salvation. On the other hand, Buddhism's reincarnation can be stopped at any time; the path to Nirvana is clear and attainable. These subtle differences with in the similarities of Hinduism and Buddhism bring about a notion of the simpler one being a subset of the more complicated.

deities and cosmology; there are Vedic gods, such as Varuna and Indra, more metaphysical gods from the Epic period, such as Atman and Brahman, and countless minor deities found in the whole rant of Hindu texts and poetry. Although Hindus give the supreme being a distinction, they see individuals as a minute part of the Supreme Being, so that the Supreme Being constitutes everything and everyone.

Buddhism, on the other hand, had a very definite beginning, and its evolvement extended the religion, instead of changing it. During the second or "Sutra" period of Hinduism (500-200 B.C.), Buddhism came into being. The Buddha is believed to have lived in the sixth century B.C. Skeptical of Hinduism, he was anxious not to reject Brahman philosophy until he tested it. After many years of meditation, he claimed to have found the way to enlightenment. Buddha began preaching his new doctrine known briefly as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path and gained a large following. After his death, two views of Buddhism emerged: those who believed they held to the most ancient traditions (the Theravadins) and those who claimed their understandings represented the highest and most complete account of Budd

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hinduism Buddhism, Nirvana Hinduism, Rig Veda, Truths Buddhism, Hinduism Hinduism, India Buddhism, Eightfold Path, Supreme Supreme, Buddha Hindu, Hinduism Theravadin, hinduism buddhism, subset hinduism, buddhism seen, religion instead changing, path nirvana attainable, salvation sought, loose groupings, attain nirvana, groupings elements, nirvana hinduism, sense buddhism, salvation sought knowledge, loose groupings elements, supreme buddhism, buddhism subset hinduism,
Approximate Word count = 1901
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)