Hinduism and Buddhism

                                                        There are several similarities between Hindu philosophy and Buddhism. Bhagavan Buddha was born in Nepal but his Nirvana (i.e. Realization) was taken place in India.  Most of his Initial front followers were from India. They were brought up under Hindu philosophy before they accepted Buddha's teaching.   Buddha's teaching was also mainly influenced by Hinduism but he added some of his own teachings thereon.   Sometimes one feels that Buddha is speaking the language of Vedas and Lord Krishna.

                                                            The extraordinary rise of Buddhism took place at a time when Hinduism was in midst of decaying philosophy. The wasted interest then has taken over control of Hinduism which has become very unpopular because of its irrational practices. Buddha was light for them and people accepted his teaching. Even kings also started accepting buddha's teaching as a state Religion. In short, Hinduism was at declined then and kings started sending monks to surrounding countries for propagating Buddha teachings. i.e. to China, Tibet, Japan, Sri Lanka,  Mymnare, and in Southeast Countries. However, there was one Hindu young  Saint Adi Sankaracharya who traveled from South to North propagating that there is no difference between Buddhism and Hinduism. He also showed that Hinduism has everything which Bhagavan Buddha is teaching.  Those teachings were not put forward by Hinduism in the right perspective. In this connection, Adi Sankaracharya had long discussions for several days along with top Buddhist monks at Kashi. They ultimately accepted that defeat and Hindu philosophy prevailed. Adi Shankaracharya then established four Piths at four corners of India to further protect Hinduism. i.e. at Dwarka, Puri, Kedarnath, and Shrugeri in the South.

       That is how Adi Shankaracharya saved Hinduism from the onslaught of Buddhism in India.

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