The Beginning of Hinduism and Buddhism

1. The Beginning of Hinduism and Buddhism Tara Madsen

2. Hinduism • Hinduism is one of the two major world religions that began on the Indian subcontinent. • The other is Buddhism • Hinduism developed from a mixture of Aryan religious beliefs with those of other people indigenous to the region • No person founded Hinduism • The teachings, prayers, and ceremonies developed over centuries… they were collected in four long Vedas.

3. Basic Beliefs of Hinduism • Hinduism is a complex religion with many deities and different rituals. • 1. Brahman is the supreme and eternal spirit or force • 2. The goal of every soul is to become part of the Brahman… the Hindu word for soul is atman… before it can do this, a person must rid their lives from any early desire… ie money, wealth or popularity… after this process they are reincarnated (born again in another form) • 3. Karma determines a soul’s next life • 4. Karma is determined by their dharma

4. Hinduism has social as well as religious importance • The idea that a person wants to connect with the Brahman has encouraged people to stay within their own caste systems for centuries. • It is difficult to have social mobility and move up in the caste system within Hinduism • The Hindu Trinity: Brahma… Vishnu… Shiva

5. The Beginning of Buddhism • Buddhism was founded by, in the 500’s BCE, Siddhartha Gautama. • Much of what we know about him comes from tradition or stories passed from one generation to the other. • His father was rajah, or ruler, of a small kingdom in Nepal • He lived the life of a prince until age 29 • He gave up being a prince to try and discover why people went through suffering and died.

6. Siddhartha spent 6 years wandering around India. • During his journey, he took up meditation… this is just the intense thinking about spiritual things. • In time, his followers began to call him Buddha which means “the enlightened one”

7. Eight Fold Path • Buddha lived about 80 years and spent his life teaching… his word became the basis of Buddhism… it consists of Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path • 1. Right belief: A person must know the 4 truths • 2. Right intentions: A person must commit to living by the 4 truths • 3. Right speech: A person must always speak the truth and must not gossip or use bad language • 4. Right behavior: A person must not kill, steal, or do anything that isn't morally right. • 5. Right occupation: Must quit a job that is not good for them • 6. Right effort: must develop good attitudes and behaviors • 7. Right mindfulness: must be constantly aware of the senses in order to control the body • 8. Right concentration: may be enlightened by meditating

8. Four Noble Truths • 1. Life is filled with suffering, pain and sorrow • 2. Suffering is caused by our desires • 3. The only way to end suffering is to conquer desire • 4. The way to conquer desire is to follow the middle path

9. Buddha accepted the Hindu ideas of karma and dharma, however, he rejected many of the deities. • Buddha believed in reincarnation and he taught that a person could achieve nirvana without having to move up in the caste system… nirvana is complete happiness • Buddhism has spread to other countries throughout Asia however Hinduism has remained an Indian religion