Hinduism and Buddhism Overview

1. Hinduism and Buddhism Overview

2. Hinduism - Founders • ~ 1500 BC in India • Around this time, a group of Indo-European people known as the Aryans start migrating toward India. • As they come and take lands, their religion and customs are spread and mixed with the native peoples. • Because of this diffusion, no single founder of Hinduism exists.

3. Indo-Europeans

4. Indo-European Languages

5. Hinduism – Supreme Beings • The Aryans brought many religious ideas with them including: • Atman – individual soul • Brahman – World soul • Trinity – Brahma (Creator) Vishnu (Preserver) and Shiva (Destroyer). • Even though there are roughly 330 million gods, Hinduism is con- sidered by some to be monotheistic because of the belief in Brahman (Water example)

6. Confused? • Brahman – world soul • Brahma – Creator • Brahmin – priest in the caste system

7. Major Beliefs and Laws • Reincarnation/Samsara – being reborn in the life cycle • Karma – (good or bad deeds) one does during his/her lifetime. Your karma influences how you are reincarnated in your next life. • When you are born, you fall into a caste (Varna)– a social system with no movement. Hindus justify your position in the caste using karma from a previous life.

8. Hinduism – Sacred Text • The sacred text of the Aryans is a collection of books containing prayers, spells, instructions, and hymns known as the Vedas. • “The Truth is one; sages call It by various names.” -Rig Veda

9. For example… • Look at the following quote and answer the question. • “The truth is one; sages call it by various names.” -Rig Veda • The quote above is attributed to which world religion? • A- Judaism • B- Islam • C- Buddhism • D- Hinduism

10. Hinduism – Paradise - Dharma • Hinduism seeks how a person can achieve freedom from desires and sufferings. • Moksha – a perfect understanding of all things, most notably, the relationship between the atman and Brahman. • After death = Yamapuri – the court of Yama to be judged. Different heaven and hell than we know

12. Hinduism – Other information • Sects – Buddhism and Jainism • Jainism – everything in the universe has a soul and should be respected. • [Brooms and gauze masks]

13. Blind men and an elephant – Teaching Tolerance

14. Buddhism - Founders • Founded in 528 BC in India • What else is going on in world history • at this time? • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama • Question: Would you rather be a world ruler or a universal spiritual leader? • Story of the Buddha – “The Enlightened One”

15. Buddhism – Supreme Beings • The Buddha accepted many traditions of Hinduism, but he rejected the idea of gods- teaching enlightenment instead. • No gods (non-theistic) – only enlightened ones. • Buddha isn’t a god. • Really. I want you to write that down.

16. Buddhism – Sacred Text • Tripitakas – canons (general laws) of scripture – contained in 3 “baskets” of teachings. • Sutras – sermons of Buddha • Abhidharma – interpreting Buddhist doctrine • Vinayas – rules for Buddhist monks

17. Key Beliefs and Laws • Eightfold Path (or Middle Way) is 4 thoughts and 4 actions= Right: • Views • Resolve • Speech • Conduct • Livelihood • Effort • Mindfulness • Concentration

18. Paradise • You achieve paradise by following the Eightfold Path to reach Nirvana • Nirvana – release from selfishness and pain • Similar to what in Hinduism? How?

19. Key Beliefs and Laws • Still reincarnation and dharma (Draw an arrow if you need to). • ***Four Noble Truths – sermon delivered by the Buddha after he achieved enlightenment • 1. Life = suffering + sorrow • 2. Cause = selfishness • 3. End desires • 4. Follow Eightfold Path

20. Other information • Never really catches on in India. • Why might this be? What do you know about the Hindu beliefs concerning other religions that makes you feel this way?