ROOTS OF HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM

BACKGROUND Aryans and non-Aryans followed own forms of religion at the beginning After blending – worship became more complex – questioned Brahmin priests New ideas arose out of turmoil

Hinduism No founder Belief: religion is a liberation from illusions, disappointments and mistakes Writings: Upanishads – explain the Vedic hymns; written as dialogue between student and teacher

Beliefs A person can achieve moksha- which is a perfect understanding of all things; brings liberation from desires and suffering They distinguish between: atman: the individual soul of a living being and brahman: the world soul that contains and unites all atmans This interconnectedness of all life is a basic concept

Attaining understanding between atman and Brahman brings moksha and a release from life in this world But this understanding does not usually come in one lifetime – so they believe in reincarnation – when an individual soul or spirit is born again and again until moksha is achieved Soul’s karma – good or bad deeds follows from one reincarnation to another and influences life circumstances (caste, health, wealth, etc.)

Brahman Seen as having personalities of 3 gods: 1) Brahma – the creator 2) Vishnu – the protector 3) Shiva – the destroyer Changes over years – Hindus may follow deity they wish to worship or none at all Hindus may choose from 3 different paths for achieving moksha: 1) right thinking 2) right action 3) religious devotion

Hinduism and Society Reincarnation strengthened the caste system - only those in upper caste seen to have good karma in former life - a female, laborer, or untouchable – seen to have had bad karma in former life Only men in top 3 varnas could achieve moksha in their present life Hinduism and the caste system dominated every aspect of a person’s life

Jainism Founded by Mahavira (599-527 B.C.) 5 million Jainists in India Beliefs: 1) Everything in universe has a soul; should not be harmed 2) Non-violence 3) Must work in non-violent jobs 4) Religious toleration; do not recruit converts

Buddhism and Siddharta Gautama Founder Noble birth in Nepal Relationship with father - exhibited traits of a great man - if he stayed home – would be world leader - if he left – a religious leader - father isolated him in palace; married; had a son

Siddharta’s Quest At 29 he ventured outside palace 4x: 1) saw an old man 2) saw a sick man 3) saw a corpse (dead man) 4) a wandering holy man at peace Meaning: only religious life offers refuge from suffering Decided to devote life to seeking religious truth and to end suffering

Path to Enlightenment Wandered for 6 yrs. Tried to reach enlightenment by debating, fasting but found no truth; continued to suffer 49 days of meditation under fig tree – found enlightenment or understanding of the cause of suffering Became known as Buddha – the enlightened one

Four Noble Truths First sermon given to 5 companions Sermon contained 4 Noble Truths: 1) All of life is suffering and sorrow 2) Cause of suffering: selfish desire for temporary pleasures of the world 3) Way to end suffering: end all desires 4) To overcome desires and attain enlightenment: follow the Eightfold Path Eightfold Path: middle way between desires and self-denial If you follow Eightfold Path – you reach nirvana – release from selfishness and pain

Eightfold Path Right views Right resolve Right speech Right conduct Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration

Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism Buddhism contained many Hindu ideas Final goals similar: perfect state of understanding - moksha for Hindus - nirvana for Buddhists But there were sharp differences: 1) accepted idea of reincarnation 2) accepted cyclical, or repetitive, view of history: world created and destroyed over and over 3) rejected many gods of Hinduism 4) rejected privileges of brahmin priests 5) rejected caste system

Religious Community Sahgha – Buddhist religious order of monks and nuns First monks – 5 men who heard Buddha’s first sermon Eventually refers to entire religious community

Three Jewels of Buddhism 1) Religious community 2) Dharma – Buddhist doctrine or law 3) Buddha

Buddhism and Society Early believers included laborers and crafts-people > because it rejected caste system More influence in northeast because Aryans had less influence there Women reluctantly brought into religious orders – thought they might distract men Monks and nuns took vows of poverty, non-violence, and chastity – spread Buddha’s teachings Monasteries developed – Nalanda developed into a great university

Buddhism in India Buddhism spread over Asia after Buddha’s death Never gained significant foothold in India Theories on why it didn’t: Buddhism was absorbed into Hinduism when Buddha was recognized by Hindus as being one of the 10 incarnation of the Vishnu India was always an important pilgrimage for Buddhists: stupas – sacred mounds contain Buddha’s relics Pilgrims circle clockwise around object; lie face down; leave flowers

Spread of Buddhism Traders carried it to places like Burma, Thailand, and Sumatra Silk Road carried it to China and from there Korea and Japan Buddhism became most widespread religion in East Asia Buddhism would divide into two sects: Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism