1. Chapter 3 Ancient India & china 2600 BCE – CE 550
3.2 Hinduism and Buddhism (p 76 – 82)

2. In what ways were religion and society intertwined in ancient India?
Focus Question
In what ways were religion and society intertwined in ancient India?

3. The Beliefs of Hinduism Develop (p 76 – 78)
What is the ultimate goal of existence for Hindus and how do they achieve it?
Moksha: achieve union with brahman
Freeing themselves from selfish desires over several lifetimes
How do karma, dharma, and ahimsa relate to achieving this goal?
By living a good life (virtuously) people earn good karma
They acquire merit by obeying the rule of dharma (a person’s moral/religious duties)
Earn credit for having respect for all living things (ahimsa)

4. How do the Hindu gods relate to Brahman?
Checkpoint!
How do the Hindu gods relate to Brahman?
They give concrete form to the concept of brahman because the concept is too complex for most people to understand on its own.

5. The Caste System Shapes India (p 78)
How were lower castes (social groups people are born into & can rarely be changed) treated in ancient India?
Very harshly – viewed as impure
Held unpleasant jobs
Segregated from other castes – had to use a clapper to let people they were coming
Could people change their caste?
No – not until next life
Only if their caste duties (dharma) of this life was fulfilled

6. How did caste provide a sense of order in society?
Checkpoint!
How did caste provide a sense of order in society?
By giving each person a specific place and role in society.

7. Key Teachings of the Buddha (p 79)
What does the term Buddha mean?
Enlightened one

8. Key Teachings of the Buddha (p 80)
What is nirvana and how does one achieve it?
Nirvana: goal of union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth
Achieved by:
Understanding of the Four Noble Truths
Life = suffering
Suffering caused by desire
Cure suffering by ending desire
Way to end suffering:
Following the Eightfold Path
Living a moral life
Meditating
How is nirvana in Buddhism similar to moksha in Hinduism?
Ultimate goal of each religion
Achieved through proper actions
Puts an end to cycle of rebirth (reincarnation)

9. What did Gautama hope to learn when he left home?
Checkpoint
What did Gautama hope to learn when he left home?
He hoped to learn about the realm of life where there is no suffering or death
NOTE:
The Tripitaka = total cannon of Theravada Buddhism (Sri Lanka, SE Asia)
Mahayana Buddhists = preliminary body of teachings similar to Old Testament
Basket of Discipline: rules for monastic life
Basket of Discourse: sermons and discussion of ethics and doctrine of Buddha
Basket of Special Doctrine: additional

10. Buddhism Spreads beyond India (p 80 – 82)
What is the Tripitaka?
Buddhism’s collection of 3 sacred texts containing Buddha’s teachings
What are some examples of the Buddha’s teachings collected in the Tripitaka?
Do your duty
Don’t get angry
Avoid evil
Be truthful
What is the main difference between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism?
Theravada = orthodox Buddhism, monks and nun only can achieve nirvana
Mahayana = easier for ordinary people to follow, allows them to use the religion to help solve everyday problems

11. Checkpoint
How do you think the collecting of the Buddha’s teachings helped the religion to spread beyond India?
By collecting the Buddha’s teaching in the Tripitaka texts, people had a source they could refer to and discuss with others as they moved beyond India.

12. In what ways were religion and society intertwined in ancient India
Focus Question
In what ways were religion and society intertwined in ancient India
The caste system was linked to the Hindu belief that people go through different stages on their way to moksha.
Buddhism was liked to society by encouraging people to follow the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path