Buddaism came from Hinduism over the issue of re-incarnation , They both belive you are re-incarnated in the next life based on your actions in this life, the difference was what was the final re-incarnation, The Final re-incarnation is almost impossible to get to in Hinduism than it is in Buddaism
They do NOT worship the Buddah, they sort of treat it as a icon like the catholics do who do not think their statues are actual gods.
However they do think the statue is GOOD LUCK much like the Catholics think their icons are good luck.
Some feel its good to rub the Buddah for good luck and Ive seen Catholics rub the feet of their icon for good luck.
Would you make fun of a Catholic who had an icon?
Treat the Buddah as you would as Catholic icon.