Final answer:
To Buddhists, dharma is a cosmic law central to their teachings and practices, whereas to Hindus, dharma represents individual duty and moral code. Both religions have sacred texts guiding their followers, but their approaches to spiritual concepts like dharma and the ultimate goal of liberation differ.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hindus view dharma as a duty, or moral code of action, which encompasses living in a way that upholds cosmic order and social harmony. In contrast, to Buddhists, dharma refers to a cosmic law that permeates everything. This cosmic law shapes Buddhist teachings and practices, directing individuals toward the path of enlightenment and the cessation of suffering.
While Hindus use the concept of dharma to refer to one's individual duty based on their place in life, Buddhists expand this idea to a universal truth. This truth is found in the teachings of the Buddha, which include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. These elements form the core of Buddhist practice, which aims to liberate one from suffering and ultimately attain Nirvana.
Notably, the texts of both religions—the Vedas for Hindus and various Sutras for Buddhists—guide followers in their spiritual practices and are deeply revered. However, they differ in the approaches to and interpretations of spiritual concepts such as dharma, karma, and the ultimate goal of liberation, whether it be moksha in Hinduism or Nirvana in Buddhism.