It's not accurate to say that Advaita Vedanta was the main inspiration for the birth of Buddhism. Buddhism emerged in the 5th century BCE in ancient India, predating the formal development of Advaita Vedanta by several centuries.
Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, founded Buddhism based on his own spiritual experiences and insights, which were independent of the Vedic traditions prevalent in ancient India at the time. While Buddhism arose in a cultural and philosophical milieu influenced by Vedic thought, it also represented a departure from certain aspects of Vedic religion and philosophy.
Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta share some similarities, particularly in their critique of ritualism and emphasis on personal spiritual transformation. Both traditions also emphasize the importance of transcending suffering and attaining liberation or enlightenment. However, they have distinct philosophical frameworks and methods of practice.
Advaita Vedanta is rooted in the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, which emerged later in Indian history and was influenced by earlier philosophical traditions, including Buddhism. Advaita Vedanta specifically emphasizes the non-dualistic understanding of reality, asserting the identity of the individual soul (atman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman).
While there may have been cross-fertilization of ideas between early Buddhism and the broader philosophical landscape of ancient India, it's more accurate to view Buddhism as a distinct tradition with its own unique teachings and practices, rather than as directly inspired by Advaita Vedanta.
