Gautama was born, raised and lived his entire life as a Hindu. Its purpose declared for the teaching of what did was to alleviate the suffering. Never tried to drive a wedge between his compatriots, and I think that it would be enormously saddened to see what some people are doing today in his name - just as it would be to see that carers of the old Hindu religion choose dogma on humanity.
Hinduism and Buddhism are more similar than they are different. The same is true by the way of Islam, or Christianity and Judaism and Islam. Although it is noble to defend what you believe, it is very sad when good people is manipulated in that position by purely emotional arguments of those who would benefit economically and politically the conflict stirred up. So let us analyze differences between Hinduism and Buddhism to see if we can find anything really worth fighting over.
First, however, consider their similarities. Both religions teach an appreciation of the illusory nature of life and the consequences of karmic fall prey of that illusion. Both taught that a soul may transmigrate into a lower life form, and probably an equal proportion of followers of both religions misunderstand how and why happens - but not go into that now.
They have a respect for all forms of life on Earth and believe in deities in higher planes of existence. Both believe in seven Hells and heavens and the detachment of reaction to the world to keep them moving until this last. They both also practice meditation to help keep their minds clear and focused.
These are the basic religious precepts that never challenged to Buddha. However, in its mission to alleviate the suffering of his people, he tried to simplify things. He played in the importance of the ancient Vedas. He never denied his truth or the value of his recitation for many. However, to make life easier to his disciples, had they simply focus on their own integrity.
He taught that we do not need anything! Ultimately, the ancient, sacred Vedas included. Because of the time knew, it wasn't an assault that practice or who find useful. It was simply a refocus attention on him that would bring peace to his disciples as quickly as possible.
For this reason also optimized ego of Gautama of his cosmology. We have already analyzed detachment from worldly affairs, but most do not understand is that a detachment of such is very difficult when you think ultimately of himself as an entity that needs to move forward, if not in this life, then in the next.
I sincerely believe that the Buddha knew of the existence of the soul or Atman. Already it never denied the seven heaven and hell, I'm sure of this great soul understanding on the evolution of the soul. However, he took the decision to teach the higher principle of unity.
Thus, in life, his disciples could shift its attention from their personal hell, their empty stomachs, disease, toothache, desperate poverty, etc. and instead put the beauty of nature and the life around them. In the same way, I would be looking forward to a life then where blend in great unity, without doing anything.
The thought that they would eventually be pop out of that unit with an individual perspective again was irrelevant to their immediate need to alleviate your anguish. As a surgeon on a battlefield, Buddha took the practical approach and had cured he could give people a simple and workable philosophy.
He grew up in a religion, which had also streamlined necessary contemplations of the Hindu Trinity of the chela (student and disciple). Here again, Gautama was a Hindu and never denied the existence of the Trinity of destruction, the maintenance and the Renaissance forces. Even so, Trinidad was simply not important in the fulfilment of its mission to make life bearable for the suffering masses.
While Hindus rightly recognize four arhtas (goals) in life: dharma (do the right thing), artha (prosperity), kama (inclinations and desires) and moksha (salvation); followers of Buddha were only trying to get with little pain as possible. Also, Hindus recognize four stages or ashrams in life. Buddhist simplification of the stages of life in the eternal now, and tried not to think about anything else. Again, this was more a technique of survival than a religious instruction, but has become a philosophy of life deeply practical for many.
A difference is that Buddhists organized together for group support, and have monks to help remind you of the teachings. Hindus do not seem to need that kind of support from the group. Even so, is it any reason to pursue those who do?
Today, the conflict between Hindus and Buddhists is fierce in places such as Sri Lanka. Still, when you look at all the similarities between religions has to wonder why...
The cosmological simplifications that Lord Gautama promoted were simply help his compatriots treat a little better the difficulties of their tough lives. Aware of this, I believe that any spiritually minded Hindu extend at least tolerance, if not empathy, his Buddhist brothers and sisters today.
Also, although it may not seem relevant to what is really important to Buddhists thing that Hindus believe, also, of course, is not a justification for the war. Power and control or survive looking for stuff of the invading forces are the reasons just to go to war. Fortunately, Buddhists and Hindus greatly value his detachment of power and the things of the world. Even so, taking account of the current conflicts, perhaps is time of Buddhists and Hindus to rise up against the political pressure and get a little more religious of this core belief.
Henion Hunt holds a doctorate in religious studies. Practiced Buddhism for many years and has written three books, based mainly on information channelled. His web site is: http://www.shiftawareness.com