Meditation, devotion to the divine embodied in gods and goddesses, growth in knowledge of the Absolute, and doing what is called for by one's station in life are some of the ways in which Hindus seek release. Buddhism cuts through much of the philosophical speculation and subtlety that the Hindu mind loves. Such mental gymnastics simply get in the way, the Buddha taught. The problem is that, in clinging to things in the ever-changing world, we suffer. The goal is to end clinging, and hence, suffering.
Speculation is but one more way to cling.
Buddhism concentrates on explaining the Path, the way in which people can learn to stop clinging. Like Christianity and Islam, Buddhism became a missionary religion, and as it moved outward from its native India, it took many different forms. But all are united in their quest to end human suffering and gain release from the limitations of embodied existence. Buddhists strongly emphasize the value of non-injury, avoiding intentionally doing harm to any living thing. The Jains make this principle central, going to great lengths to avoid not only intentional injury but accidental injury as well.