1. Comparing World Religions And Philosophies

2. Q: Define the terms religion and philosophy. How are they similar? How are they Different?

3. Major beliefs of Hinduism Ganesha

4. Hinduism - overview OriginsSacred Texts OrganizationBeliefsPracticesDivisions Hinduis m Indus Valley c. 1500-500 BCE– based on Aryan invaders practices Veda (including Upanishads) and epics (Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharat a, Ramayana) Individual temple rituals assisted by members of Brahmin class (priests) Polytheistic; commitment to an ideal way of life (dharma) and notion of action, especially religious or ritual action (karma) to purify human acts during rebirths of the soul so as to leave the material world (moksha) and become part of the eternal universal spirit of life Self- denial, fasting to purify the soul, individual rituals (initiations, marriages, funerals) assisted by members of Brahmin class (priests) Variety of sects devoted to Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti

5. The Laws of Manu (1500 BC) 31. Let (the first part of) a Brahmana's name (denote something) auspicious, a Kshatriya's be connected with power, and a Vaisya's with wealth, but a Sudra's (express something) contemptible. 32. (The second part of) a Brahmana's (name) shall be (a word) implying happiness, of a Kshatriya's (a word) implying protection, of a Vaisya's (a term) expressive of thriving, and of a Sudra's (an expression) denoting service. Fordham.edu

6. The Caste System Brahmans Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras UNTOUCHABLES

7. Hinduism continued Hinduism is polytheistic religion – despite having “creator god” – Brahma Brought to India by Aryan conquest from Central Asia from about 1000 BCE – 500 CE Hinduism at first is localized in practice, but overtime becomes more universally followed within India with some common beliefs 3 rd largest religion in the world with almost 1 billion followers, 98% of whom live in South Asia (India) Goal: to escape the cycle of rebirth Important terms: Dharma (how to live your life) and Karma (your destiny)

8. Buddhism

9. Buddhism - overview Buddhis m India (c. 566-486 BCE), founded by noble Siddarta Gautama (“Buddha” - the Enlighten ed One) Triptaka- narratives scriptural text Buddha’s teaching (sutras) Independent sanghas- monastic orders 4 Noble Truths: (duhkha) all beings suffer in a cycle of rebirth (samsara) in which their actions (karma) keep them wandering ; suffering itself has a cause suffering and rebirth can cease (nirvana) Eightfold Path- combines ethical practices and discipilanry training in meditation to achieve enlightened wisdom (panna). Numerous sects based on schools of meditation such as Theravada (South & S.E.Asia) and Mahanyana (China, Korea, Japan)

10. The Four Noble Truths 1.Life means suffering 2.Suffering is caused by desire 3.One can end suffering by ending desire 4.Following the Eightfold Path will help people to overcome desire

11. The Eightfold Path The right views The right intentions The right speech The right conduct The right livelihood The right effort The right mindfulness The right meditation

12. Spread of Buddhism Begins with Siddhartha Gautama and his disciples around 450 BCE Ashoka converts to Buddhism and temporarily Buddhism dominates India (around 250 BCE) Hinduism adds some Buddhist principles and quickly reemerges as dominant religion in India after Ashoka’s death Buddhism spreads to China over the Silk Roads – and then to Korea and Japan from 400s CE – 1200s CE Buddhism spreads to Southeast Asia over the Bay of Bengal (India Ocean) Trade – to Thailand and Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian countries from 100s CE – 1000s CE Today there are about 450 million followers of Buddhism – mostly in China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia