What is the difference between Moksha and Buddhist Enligthenment?

Question

In Hinduism, as I understand it, Moksha is when you realize the true nature of reality (as either non-dual or partially dual, depending on the tradition) and are freed from Samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth, and the suffering that goes along with it) and become one with Brahman. How is this different from the Buddhist concept of reaching enlightenment, becoming a Buddha, and being freed from death and rebirth. Is Buddhism merely the concept of Moksha disentangled from the rest of Hinduism, or am I missing something here?

David K · Accepted Answer

In Buddhism, Brahma and the Brahma-realm is still considered part of Samsara.  So it is just another impermanent realm, and therefore still subject to Dukkha - suffering.  

The suffering would be on a much subtler level in this realm of existence, but it'd still be there.  One could achieve a very high spiritual status and be reborn in the Brahma world, but once that good karma is used up, they'd be reborn back into another realm. (Such as the human realm). Even Brahma will die eventually and be reborn someplace else.

Buddhist Nirvanna is the transcendence of all realms of existence including the Brahma realms.

Amber · Answer

I think enlightenment is when you realise the truth of reality, like you said, whereas moksha is when you have learnt all of lifes lessons through rebirths and break out of samsara to become part of the ultimate reality. I'm not sure if that's right, but it's what I gathered from the books I've read. :)

James O · Answer

Moksha is hindu liberation and salvation
Buddhism rejects the Atman, the inner Brachman, that is  discovered,liberated and united and ultimately absorbed in Godhead in hinduism

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What is the difference between Moksha and Buddhist Enligthenment?

3 Answers