should we think of buddhism as distinct from hinduism, or as branch of it?

should we think of buddhism as distinct from hinduism, or as branch of it?

An offshoot of Hinduism, so disparate as to comprise a separate religion.

very different indeed ... although both very spiritual
one is a philosophy though and the other believes in deities

Buddhism is completely distinct from Hinduism.

Separate, unless you want Christianity to be an offshoot of Judaism.

It's as much a branch of Hinduism as Christianity is a branch of Judaism.

Everything is a branch on other thoughts/effects, this is the nature of cause and effect. Should we think of a soda can as distinct from a star or a branch from it?

Idol worshiping point of view yes. But Hinduism is fundamentally a polytheistic religion, whereas Buddhists believe in Buddha's statue only.

separate and distinct in it's teaching

They are two very different religions. If Buddhism was going to be defined as an offshoot of Hinduism, then Christianity would have to be an offshoot of Judaism.

Buddhism began as a heresy within Hinduism....or is it the other way around? Christianity was once a Jewish sect.

Buddhism as a modern world religion is viewed as separate from Hinduism, and certainly not as a branch of it, although it originated out of a Hindu world-view.

Buddhism as a religion evolved based on the teachings of the historical Buddha. It is distinct from, but arose within the cultural and spiritual context of, Hinduism. The Buddha was born into a Hindu family, and practiced Hindu methods for enlightenment for several years, before following what he termed the 'middle way', between the extremes of indulgence and asceticism. But ultimately the philosophy he espoused was different in critical areas to Hinduism, e.g. he rejected the notion of a permanent soul, and the Hindu caste system.