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Religions of South Asia

Religions of South Asia. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Hinduism. Today, 13%of world’s population Oldest organized major religion Originated in Indus River Valley Between 2500-1500 BCE

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Religions of South Asia

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  1. Religions of South Asia Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism

  2. Hinduism • Today, 13%of world’s population • Oldest organized major religion • Originated in Indus River Valley • Between 2500-1500 BCE • Ca. 900 BCE hymns and prayers were recorded in the Rig Veda, the oldest and most sacred of the Vedas.

  3. Caste System • Over time, society was divided into groups • Brahmins: Priests and scholars • Rulers and warriors • Traders and farmers • Menial laborers and servants • Untouchables,or outcasts

  4. Reincarnation • Cycle of life and rebirth: Samsara • Karma determines the next life • Dharma is the path to a good rebirth • Some choose to escape the cycle of rebirth by leading ascetic lives (denying themselves pleasure)

  5. Four Aims of Hinduism • Dharma: righteousness • Artha: material prosperity • Kama:gratification of the senses • Moksha: liberation from the cycle of samsara • Supreme goal

  6. Dieties (Gods) • Henotheistic • One God represented by many manifestations or aspects of that god • Brahman: the creator • Vishnu: preserver/protector • Shiva: the destroyer • Many others • Worshipers may offer gifts and chant mantras believed to summon gods • Hindus often make pilgrimages to sacred sites

  7. Buddhism • About 6% • Born as an offshoot or reform of Hinduism • Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama • Born as a minor prince, ca. 563 BCE • Reality challenged his sheltered ideals • Left his family (and privilege) to wander and question life

  8. Legend • While sitting under banyan tree, Gautama passed through four stages of meditation • Attained enlightenment • Buddha: “Enlightened one”

  9. Teachings • He did not claim to be divine, nor inspired by divine revelation • Four Noble Truths • Life is filled with anguish (suffering) • Materialism leads to anguish • Nirvana exists • The Eightfold Path leads to Nirvana

  10. Eightfold Path • Forbids theft, lying, strong drink, sexual promiscuity, and killing • Stresses that no harm shall be done to any creature

  11. Buddhism in Asia • In time, Buddhism disappeared in India • But spread… • Over the Himalayas to • Tibet (Lamaism) • China (Mahayana) • Japan and China (Zen) • And to SE Asia • (Theravada)

  12. Jainism • 4.2 million adherents in India • Like Buddhism, grew in environment of Hinduism • Dates to 900 BCE • Jains believe it goes back millions of years

  13. Beliefs • Immediate consequences of one’s physical and mental behavior • Every soul’s place is determined by its karma • Every Soul is the architect of its own life • A soul freed from its karma has good-consciousness • Infinite knowledge • Infinite perception • Infinite power • Infinite bliss

  14. How to? • Right view, right knowledge, right conduct • Control your senses • Limit your possessions • Don’t waste life • All life worthy of respect • Strive to rise up ladder of spiritual evolution

  15. Sikhism • Began in 15th century (1400s) in Punjab • Controlled by Muslims • Founded by Guru Nanak • “I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim” • Followed by 10 gurus • The Guru GranthSahib • Scriptures • 1604 AD

  16. Beliefs and Principles • One God-infinite qualities and names • Reincarnation, with the goal of salvation • Remember God • Brotherhood • The 5s • 5 Ks • 5 thieves • 5 weapons

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