WHAT THE BUDDHA REJECTED

The Buddha rejected philosophical speculation (jnana marga, the way of knowledge).  He was not interested in philosophizing as long as so many humanly vital concerns remained unaddressed.  His interest was more in the area of what is now considered psychology. 

The Buddha also dismissed devotion (bhakti marga) as a way of salvation.  While he believed that the universe abounded in gods, goddesses, demons, and other nonhuman powers and agencies, all were without exception finite, subject to death and rebirth.  Since there was no transcendent, eternal Being, prayer and other forms of devotion were of no avail. 

The Buddha also put no reliance on the Vedas, or on practice of their nature worship, or on the performance of their rituals as a means of redemption.  Nor did he accept going to the Brahmins as priests.  This is why Buddhism is a heresy to the devout Hindu.