Yes, indeed there are such similarities, and such similarities are not surprising...if there is any such thing as TRUTH, in a spiritual sense...or in any sense. You see, if there is such a thing as TRUTH, then it follows that the wisest teachers in any past society would tend to express it in ways that were quite similar. Therefore it would surface in some way in all the religions and philosophies.

I think that we may assume there is such a thing as Truth. We may then also be willing to admit to the possibility that people have had ways of tapping into it for as long as human beings have existed, and that it can therefore be found in all religions...though the nitpickers and fanatics and naysayers can always find lesser cultural details and differences to squabble over
and fight about. And they do. ;-)

A healthy mind focuses mainly on similarities and seeks accord. An unhealthy mind focuses mainly on differences and seeks conflict.