World Religions WH C2 PO21

Standard Analyze the development and historical significance of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam WH C2 PO22

Hinduism WH C2 PO23

Hinduism Born in the Indus River Valley around 2500 B.C. No single founder or sacred text Most complex religion in the world – Countless gods and goddesses – system of rituals, cults, institutions, practices, and doctrines Though believed by many to be a polytheistic religion, the basis of Hinduism is the belief in the unity of everything WH C2 PO24

Brahman “God is one, but wise people know it by many names” – key proverb of Hinduism Brahman – the all-powerful and unchanging spiritual force of the universe Too complex for most to understand so they worship a variety of gods that give a form to it. WH C2 PO25

Hinduism The purpose of life is to realize that we are part of God and by doing so we can leave this plane of existence and rejoin with God – Achieved by the cycle of birth, life and death One's progress towards enlightenment is measured by his karma. This is the accumulation of all one's good and bad deeds. WH C2 PO26

Reincarnation Your karma determines what form you take in your next life. Selfless acts and thoughts as well as devotion to God help one to be reborn at a higher level. Bad acts and thoughts will cause one to be born at a lower level – animal or object WH C2 PO27

Dharma The religious and moral duties of an individual. Your duty varies according to class, occupation, gender, or age. Karma & Dharma insure the social order by supporting the caste system WH C2 PO28

Caste System consists of four major social categories: – Brahmin highest rank and act as the priests and spiritual and intellectual leaders of Hindu society – Kshatriya the rulers and warriors who protect and promote the material well- being of society – Vaishya farmers, merchants, and others who contribute to the economy – Sudra the workers and servants who supply the menial labor for the upper three ranks. Another class, the "untouchables” Excluded from all aspects of society! WH C2 PO29

Ahimsa Key moral principle of Hinduism Means non-violence All people and things are aspect of brahman and should be respected. – Cows worshipped by some in India WH C2 PO210

Main Hindu Gods Brahma – the creator Vishnu – the Preserver Shiva – the destroyer WH C2 PO211 Brahma Vishnu Shiva

Jainism Extreme form of Hinduism Emphasizes meditation, self-denial, ahimsa To avoid killing anything – carry a broom to sweep in front of their feet WH C2 PO212

Red Dot WH C2 PO213 It represents a third eye, the inner eye, the third-eye chakra tradition holds that all people have three eyes, the two outer ones used for seeing the outside world, the third one focusing inward toward God

End of Section WH C2 PO214

Buddhism One of the world’s most influential religions Founded by Siddhartha Gautama 600 B.C. WH C2 PO215

Siddhartha Gautama Born 566 B.C., to a high-caste family Prophet predicted he’d be a wandering holy man – Parents basically locked him away in Palace He lead a life of luxury Left palace one day – saw suffering for the first time. (sick, old and dead) Left palace to find life without suffering WH C2 PO216

Siddhartha Gautama Wandered for years seeking answers Fasted and meditated. For 48 days, he sat beneath a banyan tree, tempted by evil spirits Revealed an understanding of suffering and sorrow He was now “the enlightened one” or Buddha WH C2 PO217

Four Noble Truths All life is full of suffering, pain and sorrow The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are really illusions (riches, power, and long life) The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire. The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path. WH C2 PO218

Eightfold Path Right views Right aspirations Right speech Right conduct Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right contemplation WH C2 PO219

Buddhism Commit to leading a moral life Avoiding evil words and actions Practice meditation to achieve enlightenment Final goal being nirvana. – Union with the universe – Release from the cycle of rebirth WH C2 PO220

Buddhism Eightfold Path is a middle ground between pleasure and self-denial. Belief in karma Stresses moral principles such as: – Honesty – Charity – Kindness More of a philosophy than religion? WH C2 PO221

Buddhism Sacred Text – Tripitaka – Three Baskets of Truth Golden rule- – “overcome anger by not growing angry. Overcome evil with good. Overcome the liar with truth.” Buddhism spread across Asia but declined in India- being absorbed as another Hindu god. WH C2 PO222

Questions for you? What are three basic teachings of Hinduism? According to Buddha, what actions would allow people to escape worldly suffering? WH C2 PO223