1. Name___________________________________________________Per______
Hinduism:
Buddhism
Similarities

2. Name_______KEY ____________________________________________Per______
Hinduism:
Buddhism
Similarities N
No founder
Importance of religious texts- The Vedas
Goal= moksha union
Belief in Supreme
Creator and atman- soul part of that creator
An individual religion
Worship 1000s of Gods and Godesses
Strict social system- caste system dictates life
Founder: Buddha
Hindu convert
Goal = Nirvana / ending suffering
4 Noble Truths and 8 Fold Path
Denies existence of Gods
Priests unnecessary
Monastic orders
No holy text- just 3 Baskets as teachings
Both recognize the chief cause of suffering is desire/ pursuit of material things
Emphasis on passion and nonviolence
Karma and reincarnation
Gods, Meditation
Both began in India
Both factions
Adaptable

3. Other Religious Traditions
Jainism- grew out of efforts to reform Hinduism
Mahavira- founder (lived around same time as Buddha)
Reject power of Brahmin
Include Hindu ideas of Reincarnation
Emphasis on Ahimsa (nonviolence)
Avoid harming any living creature (sometimes sweep the ground before walking)
Strict Vegetarians
Sikhism- 1500s combines traditions of Hinduism & Islam

4. Writing A Comparative Essay:
Decide what side you are taking/ what the prompt asks you to do (Assess, discuss, compare and contrast, etc.)
After general intro, begin with a thesis statement -General to specific
Come up with a topic sentence for you paragraph
Paragraphs: Follow with supporting analytical details
Conclusion: Opposite Specific to general/ sums up ideas
Our case: Discuss the similarities and differences of your faith with regard to origins, religious texts, doctrine, beliefs, karma, Gods, priests, social structure, appeal and adaptability.

5. The Intro& Thesis Statement
Begin with Something General to Specific
Should look like an upside-down triangle
General
Specific
Although…
Nevertheless…

6. Example: Comparing Hinduism & Buddhism
The origins of major world religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism came about as noble/ eternal truths were revealed. These faiths gained followers as they held a promising goal of some type of spiritual salvation. The origins and aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism are strikingly similar, however clear and obvious differences exist. Although Hinduism and Buddhism share similarities with regard to origins, morality, and the idea of karma, they nevertheless are different with regard to foundations, time period, goals and achieving the ultimate goal and the social structure associated with each faith.
YOUR TURN!

7. The Topic Sentence
Should be concise; sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph
General theme of the paragraph
Ex. Hinduism and Buddhism though similar in origin, have doctrinal differences such as the entire goal of the faith.

8. Body Paragraphs
Should support/ reflect the idea of the topic sentence in a more in- depth way
Should be organized, clear and analytical
Have many supporting details
Not simply listing or mere attribution
I-C-E it
Introduce
Cite Explain

9. Your Prompt:
Task: Hinduism and Buddhism share many similarities and differences with regard to their origins, beliefs, and goals. These two major world religions have coexisted throughout centuries despite the differences. Compare and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism.