An Analysis of the Religions of Ancient India Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism Basic facts Basic facts Combination of many ancient religions Combination of many ancient religions Began as a Polytheistic Religion Began as a Polytheistic Religion Aryan and Indus River Valley religions Aryan and Indus River Valley religions More beliefs/ideas slowly added on More beliefs/ideas slowly added on Belief in many gods Belief in many gods All are part of an all-powerful spiritual force called Brahman All are part of an all-powerful spiritual force called Brahman

Hinduism Basic Facts Basic Facts Sacred texts- Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita Sacred texts- Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita Ultimate goal of life is to achieve moksha, or union with Brahman Ultimate goal of life is to achieve moksha, or union with Brahman In order to do this, a soul must be reincarnated through different forms In order to do this, a soul must be reincarnated through different forms If you live according to dharma (moral duty) and ahimsa (nonviolence), you can move up each time you are reincarnated If you live according to dharma (moral duty) and ahimsa (nonviolence), you can move up each time you are reincarnated Karma refers to the actions you make in one life that determine your fate in the next life Karma refers to the actions you make in one life that determine your fate in the next life

The wheel is an important Hindu symbol because it demonstrates the cyclical nature of life or reincarnation

Hinduism Caste System played an important role in Hinduism Caste System played an important role in Hinduism Each level was a different species of being Each level was a different species of being The higher you were, the closer you were to moksha The higher you were, the closer you were to moksha

Hinduism Caste system prohibited people from moving up or marrying up Caste system prohibited people from moving up or marrying up However, it did provide social order/stability However, it did provide social order/stability Provided identity and interdependence Provided identity and interdependence Kind of like freshman, sophomore, junior Kind of like freshman, sophomore, junior Before long, Hinduism spread throughout India and Asia Before long, Hinduism spread throughout India and Asia

Buddhism Based on teachings of mortal man Based on teachings of mortal man Why is that important? Why is that important? Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha Gautama born into royalty 563 BC born into royalty 563 BC chose to wander country looking for life without suffering chose to wander country looking for life without suffering found enlightenment through meditation found enlightenment through meditation spent his life teaching his ways spent his life teaching his ways

Buddhism Beliefs Beliefs Four Noble Truths (heart of Buddhism) Four Noble Truths (heart of Buddhism) 1. all life is full of suffering, pain and sorrow 2. cause of suffering is nonvirtue, or negative deeds and mindsets such as hatred or jealousy 3. only cure is to overcome nonvirtue 4. to overcome nonvirtue one must follow the Eightfold Path

Buddhism Eightfold Path Eightfold Path Right Right Views Views Aspirations Aspirations Speech Speech Conduct Conduct Livelihood Livelihood Effort Effort Mindfulness Mindfulness Contemplation Contemplation

Buddhism If you: If you: Understand Four Noble Truths Understand Four Noble Truths Follow Eightfold Path Follow Eightfold Path Follow the Middle Path/Middle Way- life of balance not too much pleasure and not too much pain Follow the Middle Path/Middle Way- life of balance not too much pleasure and not too much pain And Meditate And Meditate You can become Enlightened, or reach Nirvana, being one with the universe

Buddhism Spread of Buddhism Spread of Buddhism Missionaries and traders spread Buddhism throughout Asia (see map) Missionaries and traders spread Buddhism throughout Asia (see map) Declined in India however, many beliefs absorbed by Hinduism Declined in India however, many beliefs absorbed by Hinduism Over time Buddhism was split into 2 major sects Over time Buddhism was split into 2 major sects Theravda- only most dedicated can reach enlightenment Theravda- only most dedicated can reach enlightenment Mahayana- ordinary people can reach enlightenment Mahayana- ordinary people can reach enlightenment

Assignment: Compare and contrast Buddhism and Hinduism by Compare and contrast Buddhism and Hinduism by writing an essay writing an essay Designing and completing a Venn Diagram Designing and completing a Venn Diagram Designing and completing another graphic organizer Designing and completing another graphic organizer

Examples

Hinduism and Buddhism Similarities Same traditions/roots Same traditions/roots Both stress nonviolence and intense reflection Both stress nonviolence and intense reflection Both believe in karma, dharma, and reincarnation Both believe in karma, dharma, and reincarnation Both religion’s goal is to reach enlightenment (nirvana or moksha) Both religion’s goal is to reach enlightenment (nirvana or moksha)Differences Buddhism does not rely on priests- individuals can reach enlightenment Buddhism does not rely on priests- individuals can reach enlightenment Buddhism rejects caste system Buddhism rejects caste system Buddhism’s founder is a human Buddhism’s founder is a human Hindus worship many gods Hindus worship many gods