Soteriology. Freedom. Salvation. Moksha

 Yes. Soteriology can be applied to both Buddhism and Hinduism, although the traditions use different concepts of what constitutes the ultimate human problem and its resolution.

Buddhism

Buddhist soteriology is primarily about liberation from saṃsāra—the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

• Problem: suffering (dukkha) and continued rebirth, rooted in ignorance and craving.
• Goal: nirvāṇa, liberation from the causes of suffering and rebirth.
• Path: ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom, commonly expressed through the Noble Eightfold Path.
• Key idea: liberation comes through insight into reality, particularly impermanence (anicca), non-self (anattā), and suffering.

Hinduism

Hindu soteriology is generally concerned with mokṣa—liberation from saṃsāra.

• Problem: bondage to saṃsāra and karma, associated with ignorance (avidyā).
• Goal: mokṣa, liberation from rebirth and realization of ultimate reality.
• Paths: traditionally include:
• Jñāna-yoga — path of knowledge
• Bhakti-yoga — devotion to God
• Karma-yoga — selfless action
• Rāja/Dhyāna-yoga — meditation and disciplined practice
• Key idea: depending on the Hindu school, liberation may involve realization of the ātman, union/relationship with Brahman, or loving communion with a personal deity.

Main difference

	Buddhism	Hinduism
Fundamental problem	Ignorance, craving, dukkha	Ignorance, karma, bondage to saṃsāra
Cycle	Saṃsāra	Saṃsāra
Ultimate goal	Nirvāṇa	Mokṣa
Self	No permanent self (anattā)	Many Hindu schools affirm an enduring ātman
Main approaches	Eightfold Path, meditation, wisdom, ethics	Knowledge, devotion, action, meditation, depending on tradition

Important: neither “Buddhism” nor “Hinduism” is a single uniform system. Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna Buddhism, for example, have different soteriological frameworks; Hindu traditions such as Advaita Vedānta, Viśiṣṭādvaita, and Dvaita differ substantially as well.