However, Hindus believe in many, many gods and deities and other sacred beings!
Buddhists do not believe in any one god or gods.
Some of these gods or deities include: Ganesha, Parvati, Lakshmi and Shiva
But, they also believe in one supreme being. That is Brahman, "the soul of the universe"
This is why Hinduism is classified as much more than just polytheistic.
All things come from Brahman and return to it. All gods came from Brahman
They are classified as monotheistic, polytheistic, pantheistic, monistic etc
Buddhism, like Hinduism, believes in the concept of "Reincarnation"
Another term for the cycle of death and rebirth is called 'SAMSARA"
This is where the human soul(Atman) exists in a cycle of death and rebirth. When you die, your soul travels to another being
Buddhism is also similar in the fact that their ultimate goal in life is to achieve "Nirvana," to break free from samsara. One can achieve this through meditation, yoga, mantras etc. Both also practice "non-attachment." Attachment to things can lead to suffering
The Ultimate goal in Hinduism is "MOKSHA." To be free from samsara by uniting the human soul(Atman) and Brahman(Universal Soul)
This can be done by accumulating good "Karma" through "Dharma," doing good deeds
India used to have a hierarchical system called the Caste System
Lowest Caste, outcasts, "untouchables"
Highest Caste, teachers and priests
3rd HIghest, farmers, traders, merchants
BRAHMIN
VAISHYA
SHUDRA
KSHATRIYA
DALITS
2nd Highest, warriors and rulers
4th Highest, labourers
This put people into a social status based on their karma in their previous life but was abolished becasue of it's unfairness
Both of these religions had huge cultural impacts on the world over time
Scriptures like the Tripitaka, an ancient Buddhist scripture or the Vedas from Hinduism laid the foundation of these religions
Teachings of the 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path also helped Hinduism and Buddhism alike
They have evolved to become some of the major religions in the world