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However, it would be incorrect to claim that the Buddha simply absorbed the universal Indian belief in rebirth. In fact, the ancient Vedas speak little of rebirth, and it only slowly appears in the post-Vedic literature. Historically, the Āgama Suttas are the oldest texts that place this rebirth complex in a central position, and we could well argue that the Hindu belief in rebirth was conditioned by the Buddhist belief rather than the other way around.

Following the suttas, the above is a contraversial claim. For example, the quote below gives some insight into the prevailing views of Indian society at the time of the Buddha.

"What do you think, Dhanañjani? Which is better: hell or the animal womb?"

"The animal womb is better than hell, Master Sariputta."

"... Which is better: the animal womb or the realm of the hungry shades?"

"... the realm of the hungry shades ...."

"... the realm of the hungry shades or human beings?"

"... human beings ...."

"...human beings or the Four Great King devas?"

"...the Four Great King devas ...."

"...the Four Great King devas or the devas of the Thirty-three?"

"...the devas of the Thirty-three ...."

"...the devas of the Thirty-three or the Yama devas?"

"...the Yama devas ...."

"...the Yama devas or the Tusita devas?"

"...the Tusita devas ...."

"...the Tusita devas or the Nimmanarati devas?"

"...the Nimmanarati devas ...."

"...the Nimmanarati devas or the Paranimmitavasavatti devas?"

"...the Paranimmitavasavatti devas ...."

"...the Paranimmitavasavatti devas or the Brahma world?"

"Did Master Sariputta say, 'Brahma world'? Did Master Sariputta say, 'Brahma world'?"

Then the thought occurred to Ven. Sariputta, "These brahmans are set on the Brahma world. What if I were to teach Dhanañjani the brahman the path to union with the Brahmas?"

Dhanañjani Sutta This shows the 'Buddhist cosmology' was a pre-existing Hindu cosmology.