HINDUISM

The background of Hinduism  Began in India  Invading Aryans brought new ways in BC’s  Ideas of rigid social classes and concepts of good and evil  Two epics—the Mahabharata ---the Ramayana ---the Ramayana  Holy works were called “Vedas”

Some basic beliefs AAAA universal spirit present in all life SSSSelf-denial (fasting/yoga) help achieve union with universal spirit RRRReincarnation= rebirth of the soul (only after several lifetimes can soul achieve union with universal spirit) KKKKarma= principle which says how a person lives his/her life determines the form he will return in GGGGoal is spiritual perfection= release from pain/suffering of rebirth after rebirth

Written symbol of sacred word Ohm

Hindu deities (gods) 100’s of deities but some believe all have one universal spirit= brahman Main deities center around 3 1.Vishnu= preserver of universe 2.Shiva= destroyer of universe 3.Shakti= goddess; sometimes of destruction sometimes the love of other gods (known by many names)

Vishnu Preserver of universe

Shiva Destroyer of universe

Shakti Goddess of many names

Animals Believe animals have souls too Believe animals have souls too Some worship gods in form of animals --monkeys, snakes Cows are revered because of the gifts (like milk) they provide for people

Worship  Usually done as individuals or families in home  Most homes have shrines  Sometimes done in temples filled with many shrines  Each temple portrays a form of the central deity  Priests invite deity to reside in the image, thus bring food and wash, dress it  Annual festivals commemorate events in lives of deities

BUDDHISM

The background of Buddhism  Siddhartha Gautama= founder of  Born in 566BC, raised with wealth  Left family to search for way to end people’s suffering  Hermit life for 7 years (fasting/self-denial)  Gained a flash of insight and began to share his knowledge with others  ‘Enlightened One’

Buddha’s 4 Noble Truths 1.All people suffer and know sorrow 2.All people suffer due to desires that bind them to cycle of rebirth 3.People can end suffering by eliminating their desires 4.To eliminate desires people can follow the Eightfold Path ***by following this path people could achieve Nirvana (freedom from rebirth) ***by following this path people could achieve Nirvana (freedom from rebirth)

After Buddha’s death  Disciples carried religion to rest of Asia  Some followers see Buddha as a teacher  Other followers see Buddha as a divine being and savior  Followers collected teachings into a set of texts translated as the “Three Baskets”  Mostly monks carry the beliefs to followers and practice simplicity, meditation and study

Schools of Buddhism

Picture credits Hinduism GGGGrc.k12.nf.ca MMMMnsu.edu HHHHindudharma.com MMMMedway.gov.uk AAAAckland.org nnnnationalgeographic,.com AAAAdishakti.org AAAAbagond.wordpress.com NNNNexusnovel.files.wordpress.com DDDDollsofindia.com EEEExoticindiaart.com Buddhism  Ccds.charlotte.nc.us  Sundaytimes.lk  Purelandbuddism.com  Ww2.kenyon.edu  Presscluboftibet.org