[adam_az]

There are lots of sects of Buddhism.

I'm talking about what Buddha taught, which was not religion.

Gautama was born a Hindu, but abandoned Hinduism.

The schools that followed Buddha's teachings in their original forms were wiped out in the Islamic invasion.

Since then Buddhism has been Hindicized, including the use of idols and statues.

Many Christian sects had similar things happen. Most Christian rituals have pagan, not Jewish roots. Jesus early followers were Jews, but his modern day followers are descended primarily from Gentiles who brought their practices with them. Even going back to Roman times, many Christian rituals were really adapted from the cult of Mithraism.

[AnalogReigns]

Most Christian rituals have pagan, not Jewish roots.Give me a break, show me the evidence dude. The only rituals practiced in my church (and Protestant churches universally) are described in detail in the New Testament. Time an again the New Testament has been shown to be a collection of authentic first century documents--95% of which by Jesus' disciples themselves.

Baptism and the Lord's Supper were both instituted by Jews (John the Baptist and Jesus) described in detail in the New Testament following a pattern of previous Jewish rites, namely circumcision (initiation) and Passover (regular celebration of salvation). The idea that Christianity is a pagan Roman mystery cult which survived is an old tale, long ago disproven.

[Steve_Seattle]

"many Christian rituals were really adapted from the cult of Mithraism."

I'm not sure what rituals you're talking about. The central Christian rituals are Baptism and the Eucharist, both of which had antecedents in Judaism. The Eucharist seems directly derived from the Passover meal.

[USMMA_83]

Most of the Christian rituals, etc. are Zororastrian.