Hinduism
Very complicated because … It blends ancient Aryan religions with the ancient religions of other groups in India It also continues to grow and incorporate other religions all the time – even figures like Jesus, Muhammad, & Buddha have been added over the years!
It Is a Personal Religion Individuals pick “a la carte” from the many gods available to worship – which gods you worship are up to you and may change with time Most people worship in their own homes, offices, and even cars, rather than in temples
Primary Gods
Brahma, the Creator Creator of the universe (but not of Brahman) and of mankind Rarely interferes in man’s affairs Not typically worshipped Has four heads (one for each Veda) and four arms!
Vishnu, the Preserver Maintainer of the earth and all life God of everyday life Can take on the form of an animal to guide or help people in trouble
Shiva, the Destroyer God of destruction and also of knowledge NOT EVIL! Without destruction and death there can be no creation or rebirth
Ganesha Most widely worshipped of the Hindu gods Has the power to remove obstacles in life, so often prayed to before one starts any difficult task
Brahman = Everything
Karma & Reincarnation
The goal for a Hindu’s life is to achieve “moksha” or union with Brahman
Sacred Texts
The Vedas
The Upanishads
The Mahabharata
The Ramayana
Buddhism… The “middle way of wisdom and compassion” A 2500 year old tradition that began in India and spread and diversified throughout the Far East A philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice followed by more than 300 million people Based on the teachings of the Buddha
The “Three Jewels” of Buddhism Buddha – the teacher Dharma – the teachings Sangha – the community
Who was the Buddha? Born Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E. Raised in great luxury to be a king Empathy for the suffering of others; at age 29 rejected the life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to suffering Followed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six years Rejected this extreme, sat in meditation, achieved Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35 Spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved
Siddhartha = Buddha
What did the Buddha teach? The Four Noble Truths: To live is to suffer The cause of suffering is self-centered desire & attachments The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (“extinction”) The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”
The Spread of Buddhism Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia By 13 th century Buddhism had disappeared from India
What is the Eight-Fold Path? Wisdom: Right understanding Right motivation Moral discipline: Right speech Right action Right livelihood Mental discipline: Right effort Right mindfulness Right meditation
The Eightfold Path
Right View You must see the world as it really is, not as you want it to be. All things are subject to suffering. “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
Right Intention Resist your desires. Give up greed and selfishness. Resist anger. Do not intend to hurt others. Learn compassion for others.
Right Speech NO lying. NO gossiping. NO slander. NO swearing. NO idle conversation – only speak when you have something important to say.
Right Action NO harming of others, especially murder or suicide (all life is sacred) NO stealing NO sexual misconduct, such as rape, sex for any purpose other than procreation
Right Livelihood Wealth is OK if gained through peaceful and ethical means. NO making or selling of weapons, dealing in living beings (man or animals), butchering of meats, dealing in intoxicants.
Right Effort You must always be trying to improve yourself. Every effort to follow the Eightfold Path and to be a better person adds to your karma.
Right Mindfulness You must be aware of yourself – all of your thoughts, feelings, strengths and weaknesses. You must be honest and open with yourself.
Right Concentration Not only can you not DO the things that are forbidden, you can not even THINK about doing them! All thoughts must be wholesome, good, and pure.
What do Buddhists believe? Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma) Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher
How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? Buddhism rejects… Authority of the ancient Vedic texts The Vedic caste system The Vedic and Hindu deities The efficacy of Vedic worship and ritual The concept of Brahman