1. Hinduism & Buddhism

2. Religions of South Asia

3. Religion in the Subcontinent

4. Hinduism Factoids Oldest major religion
Third largest religion in the world
Sprang from Indus Valley
Aryans mixed with native people
Major religion of India – 83%

5. Hinduism for Dummies Believe in 3 gods -Brahma: the creator
Vishnu: the preserver
Shiva: the destroyer
Three aspects/powers of
the same being

6. Hinduism for Dummies Two major divisions Vaishnavaism (Vishnu)
Shivaism
(Shiva)

7. Hinduism for Dummies: Vedas
Sacred texts/scripture – 4 of them
(Prayers to Vishnu & Shiva)
Hymns, incantations, and rituals from
ancient India

8. Hinduism for Dummies: Karma
Sum of ones good & bad deeds
“You reap what you sow” or
“What goes around comes around”

9. Hinduism for Dummies: Reincarnation
Samsara
Transmigration of the soul through different bodies –cycle of birth, life, death, & rebirth
Karma determines next life
Goal: Achieve enlightenment
….So be good for goodness sake!

10. Hinduism for Dummies: Four Aims
Dharma – Righteousness or performance of
religious duties – Very important!
Kama – Fulfillment of desires
Artha – Economic success
Moksha – Freedom from Samsara – Ultimate goal!

11. Holy Cow!
Hindus have always had great respect for Mother Nature and its creatures
Cow is especially significant because it symbolizes gentleness –nourishment & godliness

12. Caste System Division of social ranks & tasks developed by Aryans
Each group has different set
of rules dealing with careers,
marriage, diet, etc.
                                                                

13. Caste System cont. Brahmins – Priests Kshatriyas – Warriors
Vaisya – Merchants
Sudra – Unskilled
workers, peasants

14. Caste System cont.
Dalits --- Untouchables
Dirty jobs – cleaning, etc.

15. Buddhism Factoids Fourth largest religion in world
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
To become Buddha: Pass through 4 stages to reach Enlightenment
Opposed caste
system
Spread along trade
routes

16. Siddhartha Gautama Born in NE India (Nepal).
Raised in great luxury to be a king.
At 29 he rejected his luxurious life to seek enlightenment and the source of suffering.
Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs.
Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana.
Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

17. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?
Desire!
Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about yourself.

18. Buddhism for Dummies: Basic Beliefs
Four Noble Truths
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is
attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is
attainable.
4. The path to end suffering exists.
(Self-improvement)
-Eightfold Path

19. Buddhism for Dummies: Eightfold Path
Right View
Wisdom
Right Intention
Right Speech
Ethical Conduct
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Mental Development
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

20. Nirvana Eightfold Path The union with the ultimate spiritual reality.
Escape from the cycle of rebirth.