Collection of texts compiled by Brahmins Hinduism The word Hindu is derived from word Sindhu which means Indus in English No historical founder Do not proselytize Vedas Brama Sanskrit Collection of texts compiled by Brahmins Poems Hymns Prayers Rituals Many rituals performed by Brahmins Written down in 600 B.C.E.

Power of Brahmins Moksha Brahman World Soul freeing from the cycle of death and reincarnation to attain unity with Brahman. Brahman World Soul Human soul (atman) is part of Brahman Leads to Upanishads 800-400 B.C.E. What is the principle behind the rituals? Power of Brahmins Ritual fees

Hindu Beliefs I believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. I believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality. I believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. I believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds. I believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny. I believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments as well as personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods. I believe that a spiritually awakened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and meditation. I believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, "noninjury." I believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God's Pure Love and Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

Buddhism Originated in India – 2,500 years ago Became popular in China During Tang 600 C.E.

Buddha Born Siddhartha Gautama Awakened One Son of feudal lord Four encounters Six years living an austere life Enlightenment - Bohdi tree 45 years of teaching Old – Disease – Funeral – Monk Tried six years of austere life – starving himself Vision of harp string – no sound, break, just right Began to eat normally again Bodhi tree – found enlightenment – birth and death, wheel of life Spoke to all castes – in local dialects Women Untouchables

Four Noble Truths Life has suffering (Dukkha) Suffering comes from desire If attachment to desire ends so will suffering To end suffering follow the middle path (the Noble Eightfold Path) This painting was drawn on a wall of a Buddhist temple in Yuhu Village in Tibet. The Monkey represents the mind of the Monk and the elephant represents the body. As the Monk works his way up to reach Nirvana, his body is purified and his mind is lost!  Birth is suffering, decay, sickness and death are suffering. To be separated from what you like is suffering. To want something and not get it is suffering. In short, the human personality, liable as it is to clinging and attachment brings suffering.“ In the same way that a child wants a new toy and then, having achieved that, will long for yet another, we seek fulfilment of our desire, to then move on to another. All the time, our lives are only temporarily satisfied. This is not intended to lead to a cancellation of the zest for life, but to an understanding of the nature of life and to controlling those desires which come from that lack of understanding. Right – view, intentions, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration

Karma "Do not overlook tiny good actions, thinking they are of no benefit; even tiny drops of water in the end will fill a huge vessel."

Nirvana To be free of what binds you Rebirth Nirvana and parinirvana All karmic debts are repaid Nirvana literally means extinguishing or unbinding