Final answer:
Hinduism and Buddhism share beliefs like karma and reincarnation, but differ in concepts like the eternal soul, with Hinduism believing in it and Buddhism denying its existence. Buddhism focuses on the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path and was more readily adapted across Asia, compared to Hinduism's predominance in India.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hinduism and Buddhism share a common cultural and spiritual background in ancient India, resulting in several similarities but also key differences. Both ideologies believe in karma, dharma, and the concept of reincarnation. However, Buddhism was established as a reform of the existing Hindu structure, seeking to eliminate social inequalities such as the caste system that were entrenched in Hindu belief. Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha, founded Buddhism around the fifth century BCE. His teachings centered around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, offering a way to escape from suffering and achieve enlightenment.
One of the primary differences between Hinduism and Buddhism is the concept of the self or atman. Hinduism emphasizes the eternal soul, which eventually merges with the absolute being, Brahman. On the other hand, Buddhism teaches anatta, or the non-existence of a permanent self. This stands in direct contrast with the concept of an eternal soul present in Hinduism. Buddhism's straightforward approach towards spiritual development, centering on one's own actions and their consequences, provided an alternative to the ritualistic and hierarchically-structured Hindu doctrine.
Buddhism spread across Asia and was readily adapted to local contexts, influencing cultures from China to Southeast Asia, while Hinduism remained more concentrated in the Indian subcontinent, potentially leading to varying impacts on societal structures such as political stability and regional autonomy.