1. Agenda 9/22
Objective: we will describe the basic beliefs of Hinduism & Buddhism
Notes on Hinduism & Buddhism
Closing Activity: I will create a Mandala describing the beliefs of Hinduism & Buddhism.

2. Hinduism No Founder – develops over time – begins with Aryan beliefs
Holy Books – Vedas & Upanishads

3. 5 Basic Beliefs of Hinduism
Brahman – supreme power in universe – universal soul
Multiple Gods (thousands)
Brahma the creator
Vishnu the preserver
Shiva the destroyer
Dharma –Duties – each caste (Social Class) has different dharma

4. Brahmins - Priests
Purpose is to help people of other castes fulfill their dharma (duty)

5. Responsible for leadership of the people
Kshatriyas - Warriors and Rulers
Responsible for leadership of the people
Often rely on advice from Brahmins

6. Shopkeepers who sell products
Vaisyas – Skilled Workers, Merchants
Shopkeepers who sell products
Farmers

7. Sudras – Unskilled Workers
Jobs include gardeners, brick makers and clothes washers

8. Untouchables - The Outcastes
Expected to do the “dirty” jobs
Come in contact with animal skins, dead bodies and human feces
Avoid contact with “caste” Indians for fear of “pollution”

9. 5 Basic Beliefs of Hinduism
Karma – good and bad deeds – determines what happens in your next life
Reincarnation (Samsara) – cycle of life and death
Life
Dharma
Karma
Death
Birth
Ultimate Goal: Moksha – becoming one with the universal soul or Brahman

10. Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama Place: India (Modern Day Nepal)
Hindu Prince (Kshatryia)
The prophecy -- would he be a world ruler or spiritual leader?
Buddhist legend:
when Siddhartha was born he exhibited marks of greatness
prophecy: if he stayed home he was destined to be a ruler
if he left home he would be a spiritual leader

11. Search for Enlightenment
Enlightenment – Wisdom
Siddhartha’s Quest –
Fasting
Meditation
Religious Discussions
What does it mean?
Everyone suffers
Only a religious life can release you from suffering

12. Four Noble Truths – Teachings of the Buddha
#1 Everything in life is suffering & sorrow
#2 The cause of all suffering is people’s selfish desire for temporary pleasures of this world
#3 The way to end suffering is to end all desires
#4 The way to overcome desires and to attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, or Middle Way

13. Eightfold Path to Nirvana (release from suffering) Rules to Live By
Right views
Right resolve
Right speech
Right conduct
Right livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Nirvana – release from suffering

14. Beliefs of Buddhism No Holy Book/No God
Follow the Teachings of the Buddha -Four Noble Truths
Follow the Eightfold Path to reach Nirvana – release from suffering
Rejected the Caste System – social class system of India

15. Spread of Buddhism
Missionaries spread Buddhism from India to China and other parts of Asia.
Few followers in India today.

16. Indian Mandala
Mandala – circular diagram used in Hinduism & Buddhism to increase spiritual awareness.
Create Your Own Mandala.
Choose either Hinduism or Buddhism
Draw a circle and slit it into pie wedges representing the different beliefs of your chosen religion
Decorate each pie wedge with a colorful symbol representing a specific belief of your chosen religion