Insights into Hinduism and Buddhism: Beliefs, Practices, and Societal Impacts

1. Chapter 6 Section 2

2. Section Overview The religion of Hinduism is based on the beliefs of the Aryans. Buddhism, a new religion, was popular with many people in India and other areas of Asia.

3. Hinduism grew out of the ancient beliefs of the Aryans. • A new religion, Buddhism, appealed to many people in India and other parts of Asia.

4. Hinduism • Hinduism, the world’s third largest religion, is one of the oldest religions. • Hinduism’s roots are in the Aryan religion, which changed after borrowing ideas from conquered people of India • The Brahman is the universal spirit made up of thousands of gods and goddesses.

5. Hinduism • The Upanishads are ancient religious writings that describe the search for Brahman. • Reincarnation is the idea of passing through many lives to reach the Brahman. • Dharma is the divine law of Hindus.

6. Hinduism • This law states that Hindus must perform the duties of their caste. • The consequences of how a person lives is called karma.

7. Hinduism and Buddhism According to Hindus, what are the consequences of a good and a bad life? Hindus believe if a person lives a good life, then that person might be reborn into a higher caste. If the person lives a bad life, then the person might be reborn in a lower caste.

8. Buddhism • Buddhism is a religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One.” • Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who left his family and wealth to travel. • In his travels, he saw much suffering and questioned the need for suffering.

9. Buddhism • Legend tells he meditated under a tree for 49 days, and then he understood. • For the rest of his life, Siddhartha traveled to tell people about his discovery. • Nirvana, a state of wisdom, occurs when a person gives up all desires.

10. Buddhism • The core of Buddha’s teaching is called the Four Noble Truths • The Eightfold Path describes the steps to eliminate suffering. • Buddhism divided into Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. • Theravada Buddhists believe the Buddha was a great teacher, not a god.

11. Buddhism • Mahayana Buddhists believe the Buddha was a god who came to save people. • Tibet is a country in central Asia where Mahayana Buddhism mixed with traditional Tibetan religion and Hinduism to create a special kind of Mahayana Buddhism. • In Tibet, religious leaders, called lamas, headed the government.

12. Buddhism • The Dalai Lama was the government leader, and the Panchen Lama was the religious leader. • A theocracy is a form of government in which religious leaders head the government.

13. Hinduism and Buddhism Why was Buddhism popular with people of lower castes? The Buddha taught that a person’s life depended on the person, not the caste into which the person was born. He believed that a person could stop being reborn by following the Eightfold Path. This gave lower caste people hope.

14. Hinduism and Buddhism What are the Upanishads? The Upanishads are ancient religious writings that describe the search for a universal spirit.

15. Hinduism and Buddhism What is reincarnation? Reincarnation is a religious belief that a soul is reborn many times.

16. Hinduism and Buddhism Describe Explain the concept of karma. Karma is the consequences a soul faces in its next life for its actions in this life.

17. Hinduism and Buddhism Explain What is the importance of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path? The Four Noble Truths explain why people suffer. The Eightfold Path describes behaviors that will end suffering.

18. Hinduism and Buddhism Analyze How did the belief in reincarnation both strengthen the divisions in Indian society and provide hope for the lower classes? One’s position in society results from past acts. Lower classes hoped to improve their position in a future life.

19. Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism is more than a religion; it is a whole way of life. Identify facts that support this statement.