As the thread is 'still open' for discussion, and as
Bb and
Fordim haven't shown up yet, and, having
burra's famous close-fistedness with regards to long discourses (in the light of verily true maxim of
Nothing is more false than to say that all mockery is hostile), let me help you out if I can.
Leaving aside what Tolkien as author said (
C-thread, c-thread, you take my breath away...), and relying mainly on what is
inside his works, let me bring forth the judgement that there is no buddhist flavour to Tolkien whatsoever
The ground is simple:
Buddha's search for Nirvana (release from reincarnation circle) is based on the idea that body is, in a way, not what there should be, that soul/spirit living in a body is like to prisoner in a cell, that release is good, and living in a body is bad.
Now elves held an opinion that their
hroar (
generally, if not precisely may be translated as 'body') were made to perfectly fit their
fëar (
generally, if not precisely, may be translated as 'spirit'. I personally prefer translation 'will')
That they were not fitting each other perfectly was attributed to Melkor who 'tainted' all matter of Arda. But in case Arda were not Marred, such an union should have been perfect mode of being, bringing about incessant joy of existence.
Fading of the elves, which can be reversed in Aman only, is due to imperfections of hroa brought about by Melkor, and the death is not release of reincarnation cycle - quite the opposite - it is
proper for a
fëa to seek reincarnation if it died. (Still more reincarnate takes up the
same body as before - built out of its
memories of it)
Men (or wise among men, Andreth as their spokeswoman) likewise, held an opinion that in the beginning of things, before Fall of Man took place, similar arrangement was provided for men, and that forcible parting of
fëa with
hroa known since as 'human death' was simultanesouly, a
punishment for the Fall and
means of redeeming it. I.e. - here too, perfect and only natural condition of created Children of Eru is viewed not as spirit on its own, but union of
fëa and
hroa as a whole. If such a 'divorce' ever takes place, is mainly 'thanks to' Melkor
I can imagine few things least like Buddhism in such philosophy, to be honest
I'm unable to provide quotes to back me up at the moment. If you are ready to take me on my word, great, if you're not satisfied, I'll try to dig citations up shortly
cheers
PS. Nothingness was already addressed by Estelyn, so I haven't elaborated the point. But 'dissoving into Nothingness' is a negative term. Positively, it should be 'being one with the whole Existence'. But even such 'positive' dissovling is not taking place with Tolkien - all
fëar are not only to retain their
hroar - they are, firstly, to have their
hroar completely remade - as the Arda and whole the matter of Arda is to be Remade, and they are not only to retain their individuality, but have it enriched - not sameness, but multitude of perfect creaters, in correct relation to their Creator, sharing same love but conducting it in an unique way each.