1. Ancient India and China (2600 B.C.-A.D. 550)
Lesson 2 The Origins of Hinduism and Buddhism

2. Describe the origins and central beliefs of Hinduism.
Ancient India and China (2600 B.C.-A.D. 550)
Lesson 2 The Origins of Hinduism and Buddhism
Learning Objectives
Describe the origins and central beliefs of Hinduism.
Analyze and summarize how the caste system shaped India.
Describe the origins and central beliefs of Buddhism.
Explore how Buddhism grew and changed as it spread beyond India.

3. Key Terms
atman
moksha
reincarnation
Karma
dharma
ahimsa
castes
Siddhartha Gautama
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
nirvana
sects
Essential self
Union with Brahman
Rebirth of the soul
Refers to both action and results
Religious and moral duties
Nonviolence
Social groups people born into
The Buddha
Heart of Buddhism teachings
Live a moral life
Union with the universe
Subgroups (Theravada/Mahayana)

4. Hindu Beliefs Develop
Thousands of years ago, two major religions—Hinduism and Buddhism—emerged in ancient India. The ethical and spiritual messages of both religions profoundly shaped Indian civilization.

5. Hindu Beliefs Develop
One Force Unites Everything---Hindus worship a variety of gods who give concrete form to Brahman(unchanging, all-powerful spiritual force)
Sacred Texts Show Hindu Beliefs---use vivid images to examine complex ideas about the human soul and the connectedness of all life
Achieving Moksha Is the Goal of Life for Hindus--- all of existence is ranked by levels of consciousness—the higher one's consciousness, the greater the chance of understanding one's relationship to Brahman
Jainism Develops---Jain teachings emphasize meditation, self-denial, and an extreme form of ahimsa. Carry brooms to sweep the ground in front of them not to kill insects

6. Hindu Beliefs Develop
Interpret Visvamitra visits Vasishtha in ancient India. Both men wrote parts of the Vedas, the sacred texts about Hindu beliefs. How does the artist convey respect between the authors?

7. The Caste System Shapes India
The Aryans divided society into four groups. Non-Aryans held the lowest jobs. During the Vedic Period, class divisions moved more toward reflecting social and economic roles. As these changes occurred, they eventually led to a more complex system of castes, or social groups into which people are born and which can rarely be changed.

8. The Caste System Shapes India
Complex Rules of the Caste System---Each caste had different functions and were set off from one another by specific rules of behavior, such as where people lived, how they earned a living, who they could eat with, and who they could marry
Caste Affects Social Structure---While they could not change their status in this life, they could reach a higher state in a future life by faithfully fulfilling the duties of their present caste.

9. The Caste System Shapes India
In ancient Indian villages, people were identified by their occupation. Here, Indian women collect water in clay pots.

10. The Caste System Shapes India
Analyze Charts The chart describes the caste system in ancient India. Based on the chart, which caste was considered the least spiritually pure?

11. The Buddha’s Key Teachings
In the foothills of the Himalayas, a reformer appeared named Siddhartha Gautama. His teachings eventually spread across Asia to become the core beliefs of one of the world’s most influential religions, Buddhism.

12. The Buddha’s Key Teachings
From Boy to Buddha---A prophet predicted that the boy prince would someday become a wandering holy man. To prevent that—in hopes of his son one day becoming a ruler—Gautama’s father kept him in the family’s palaces, surrounded by comfort and luxury. One day he took a ride beyond the palace gardens and saw an old man. On following rides, he also saw a sick person and a dead body. For the first time, Gautama became aware of human suffering. Deeply disturbed, he bade farewell to his family and left the palace, never to return

13. Following the Four Noble Truths--- legend tells, evil spirits tempted Gautama to give up his meditations, but he fended them off. When he rose, he believed he understood the cause of and cure for suffering and sorrow

14. The Buddha’s Key Teachings
Describe This ancient statue of the Buddha in a meditating pose is in Sri Lanka. What does the Buddha’s facial expression show?

15. The Buddha’s Key Teachings
Analyze Charts The Buddha shared his knowledge by teaching other people. Choose one of the Eightfold Path steps. Then describe how the Buddha might teach others about following that particular step.

16. Buddhism Spreads
The Buddha attracted many disciples, or followers, who accompanied him as he preached across northern India. Many men and women who accepted the Buddha’s teachings set up monasteries and convents for meditation and study. Some Buddhist monasteries grew into major centers of learning.

17. Buddhism Spreads
Collecting the Teachings of Buddha---Legend holds that at age 80, the Buddha ate spoiled food. As he lay dying, he told his disciples, “Decay is inherent in all things. Work out your own salvation with diligence.” After the Buddha’s death, his followers collected his teachings into the Tripitaka, or “Three Baskets of Wisdom.” “Overcome anger by not growing angry. Overcome evil with good. Overcome the liar by truth.”
Buddhism Spreads Beyond India and Divides
Buddhism’s Decline in India

18. Buddhism Spreads Beyond India and Divides---Missionaries and traders spread Buddhism across India to many parts of Asia.
Gradually, Buddhism split into two major sects, or subgroups. These were Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.
Theravada Buddhism closely followed the Buddha’s original teachings. It required a life devoted to hard spiritual work. Only the most dedicated seekers, such as monks and nuns, could hope to reach nirvana
The Mahayana sect made Buddhism easier for ordinary people to follow. Even though the Buddha had forbidden followers to worship him, Mahayana Buddhists pictured him and other holy beings as compassionate gods

19. Buddhism Spreads
Relics of the Buddha and other holy people are housed in Buddhist stupas, or dome-shaped shrines, like the Great Stupa at Sanchi. The gateway has elaborate carvings describing the Buddha’s life.

20. Buddhism Spreads
Analyze Maps What is one Asian country that has followers of both Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism? Which do more countries follow, Mahayana Buddhism or Theravada Buddhism?

21. Quiz: Hindu Beliefs Develop
What is dharma?
A. the rebirth of the soul in another bodily form
B. union with Brahma
C. an individual's moral and religious duties
D. the essential self

22. Quiz: The Caste System Shapes India
What changes have taken place in India’s caste system since ancient times?
A. There is no longer a caste system in India today.
B. There is a large and powerful untouchable caste group in India today.
C. Castes merged over time due to new jobs, sacred texts, and customs.
D. New castes were formed over time by new migrants, jobs, and religions.

23. Quiz: The Buddha’s Key Teachings
What is one way that Buddhism differs from Hinduism?
A. Buddhism has teachers and spiritual practices.
B. Buddhism recognizes that people are all interconnected.
C. Buddhism rejects a caste system and focuses on meditation.
D. Buddhism teaches that a person’s actions have consequences for spiritual development.

24. Quiz: Buddhism Spreads
Why did Mahayana Buddhism have mass appeal in some places?
A. It closely followed the Buddha’s original teachings.
B. It allowed people to ask gods for help with earthly problems.
C. It did not require people to worship Buddha or any other gods.
D. It described an afterlife that hastened rebirth into one’s next reincarnation.