1. Section 2 Hinduism and Buddhism
Chapter 3
Section 2 Hinduism and Buddhism

2. Hinduism Develops No single founder > No single text
Grew out of the beliefs of a diverse group of people who settled India
Result > a complex religion
Hindus do share some basic beliefs
All powerful spiritual force > Brahman
Gods give concrete form to Brahman
Hindu teachings recorded in the Vedas

3. Hinduism Develops Cont.
Ultimate goal > achieving moksha > union with Brahman
Every person > essential self > atman
Moksha usually achieved in more than one lifetime
Reincarnation > rebirth of the soul
Must obey law of karma
Cycle of death and rebirth > Image of the Indian wheel
Dharma > religious and moral duties
Ahimsa > nonviolence > all things are aspects of brahman

4. Jainism
Jainism > religion > grew out of Hindu traditions > emphasizes mediation, self-denial, and an extreme form of ahimsa

5. Caste System
Caste > social class you are born into and can rarely change > major Hindu belief
Higher the caste > the closer that person is to achieving moksha
Very complex caste rules
Example > Can’t marry outside your caste
“untouchables” > spiritually impure > lowest of the castes
No contact > fear of spreading pollution
Caste system ensured social order even with inequalities
Different castes worked together to help society as a whole

6. Key Teachings Buddhism
Buddhism > founder > Siddhartha Gautama
Becomes Buddha or “Enlightened One”
Four Noble Truths lie at the heart of Buddhism
Eightfold Path > right ways to live
By following the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, living a moral life, and lastly through mediation one could achieve enlightenment
Goal > nirvana > union with the universe
Buddha stressed honesty, charity, and kindness to all living creatures

7. Key Teachings Cont. Both Hinduism and Buddhism Differences
Stressed nonviolence, karma, dharma, and a cycle of rebirth
Differences
Buddhists reject caste system
Buddhists seek enlightenment through meditation
They don’t worship many gods, focus on priests, or rely on formal rituals

8. Buddhism Spreads
Spreads to many parts of Asia > Two Sects (Divisions) > Theravada and Mahayana