1. Comparing Hinduism and Buddhism

2. Hinduism: History No historical founder Roots in India Vedas (sacred texts)

3. Hinduism: History Sacrifices Offerings Reincarnation

4. Hinduism: History Ramayana focuses on Vishnu Mahabharata focuses on Krishna Bhagavad Gita

5. Hinduism: Key Concepts Henotheistic (worship many gods) Primary deities: Shiva, Vishnu, Devi Determined by family or region of India

6. Hinduism: Key Concepts Atman (soul) Samsara (cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) Karma (experiencing the effects of your actions in this life, in your next life) Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth)

7. Hinduism: Key Concepts Worship at home, shrines, temples

8. Hinduism: Key Concepts Many festivals Examples: Holi, Diwali

9. Hinduism: Geography India is a sacred land Temples

10. Hinduism: Contemporary Issues Caste system Social change Rural India

11. THE FOUR SIGHTS:  A very old man  A sick person  A dead body  A beggar Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Buddhism: History

12. Enlightenment “Middle Path” Taught the way to enlightenment

13. Buddhism: Key Concepts Four Noble Truths: – Life involves suffering – Suffering originates in our desires – Suffering will cease if all desires cease – There is a way to cease all desire: the Eightfold Path

14. Buddhism: Key Concepts TRIVIA FACT “Buddha” is technically a title (not a name) that means “the enlightened one” The Eightfold Path Path results in nirvana

15. Buddhism: Geography

16. Theravada (“Way of the Elders”) Southeast Asia Mahayana (“Great Vehicle”) Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Japan

17. Originated in India Spread to Tibet Meditative practices, compassionate living, and advanced mystical practices Buddhism: Geography

18. Buddhism: Contemporary Issues Dalai Lama, best known Lives in the Himalayan Mountains Travels widely

19. Buddhism: Contemporary Issues Act on meditation Worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. Engaged Buddhists