3.

2 Hinduism and Buddhism

Indra

Hinduism

Basic facts

Combination of many ancient religions

Began as a Polytheistic Religion Aryan and Indus River Valley religions More beliefs/ideas slowly added on

Belief in many gods All are part of an allpowerful spiritual force called brahman

Hinduism

Basic Facts

Sacred texts- Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita Ultimate goal of life is to achieve moksha, or union with brahman In order to do this, a soul must be reincarnated through different forms If you live according to dharma, moral duty, and ahimsa, nonviolence, you can move up each time you are reincarnated Karma refers to the actions you make in one life that determine your fate in the next life

The wheel is an important Hindu symbol because it demonstrates the cyclical nature of life, or reincarnation

Hinduism

Caste System played an important role in Hinduism

Believe that each level was a different species of being Higher you were closer you were to moksha

Hinduism

Caste system prohibited people from moving up or marrying up However, it did provide social order/stability

Provided identity and interdependence Kind of like freshman, sophomore, junior

Before long Hinduism spread throughout India and Asia

Buddhism

Based on teachings of mortal man

Why is that important?

Siddhartha Gautama born into royalty 563 BC and chose to wander country looking for life without suffering

Found enlightenment through meditation Spent his life teaching his ways

Buddhism

Beliefs

Four Noble Truths (heart of Buddhism) 1. all life is full of suffering, pain and sorrow 2. cause of suffering is nonvirtue, or negative deeds and mindsets such as hatred or jealousy 3. only cure is to overcome nonvirtue 4. to overcome nonvirtue one must follow the Eightfold Path

Buddhism

Eightfold Path

Right

Views Aspirations Speech Conduct Livelihood Effort Mindfulness Contemplation

Buddhism

If you:

Understand Four Noble Truths Follow Eightfold Path Follow the Middle Path/Middle Way- life of balance not too much pleasure and not too much pain And Meditate

You can become Enlightened, or reach Nirvana, being one with the universe

Buddhism

Spread of Buddhism

Missionaries and traders spread Buddhism throughout Asia (see map) Declined in India however, many beliefs absorbed by Hinduism Over time Buddhism was split into 2 major sects

Theravda- only most dedicated can reach enlightenment Mahayana- ordinary people can reach enlightenment

Recap Hinduism and Buddhism

In groups of 2 or 3 compare and contrast Buddhism and Hinduism

You can use your textbook, notes, or computer

Suggestions: Venn Diagram or other graphic organizer

Hinduism and Buddhism

Similarities Same traditions/roots Both stress nonviolence and intense reflection Both believe in karma, dharma, and reincarnation Both religions goal is to reach enlightenment (nirvana or moksha) Differences Buddhism does not rely on priests- individuals can reach enlightenment Buddhism rejects caste system Buddhisms founder is a human Hindus worship many gods