1. World Religions
Hinduism & Buddhism

2. Key Vocabulary
Reincarnation: the belief that all souls/spirits can be born again.
Moksha: the ultimate goal of Hinduism. A state of perfect understanding between Atman and Brahman.
Caste System: the social class system within Hinduism. You are a part of the Caste you are born in your entire life.
8 Fold Path: the steps a Buddhist must follow to reach enlightenment
Nirvana: the end goal for all Buddhists and form of enlightenment (perfect understanding).

3. Essential Question
How do the major world religions compare and contrast in regards to their major beliefs?

4. Warm Up
What purpose do religions serve for the people who follow them?

5. Commonalities of Major Religions
In short: what are some common factors shared by major religions?
All religions seek to answer big questions like where did the world come from; what is the purpose of life; what happens after we die, etc.
All religions set out guidelines for how to live, for what is right and wrong, for how to be a good person.

6. Religious experiences occur for some people in all religions
Religious experiences occur for some people in all religions. These involve a feeling of peacefulness, joy, wholeness, and unity with the world. Different religions interpret these experiences differently.
Within each religion there is diversity of belief and practice. Some differences are about emphasis or style, while some are about primary religious questions, such as what is necessary for salvation. Within most religions there are some groups who feel that each word of the sacred text is literally true, while other groups do not.

7. All religions have deeply wise people, who are easily recognizable by anyone.
Most religions have people who wish to devote themselves wholly to their religions, such as monks and nuns.
Religion involves an element of faith, because it posits the existence of something that cannot be experienced by the five senses.

8. Assessment Prompt 1
List at least three commonalities found in major religions.

9. Hinduism Has no known founder. Is the world’s oldest religion.
Collection of beliefs from Aryan and Indus Valley River traditions.
Developed slowly over a period of time.
A polytheistic (more than one god) religion.
Brahman: world soul that contains and unites all beings

10. Three main gods:
Brahma: the Creator
Vishnu: the Protector
Shiva: the Destroyer
Seen as a way of liberating the soul from illusions, disappointments, and mistakes of the every day existence
Veda & Laws of Manu (Rules for Caste System) – sacred text

11. Hindu Beliefs Reincarnation: Cycle of life is called Samsara
Free soul from Samsara and achieve Enlightenment (Moksha)
This cannot be achieved in one lifetime
Achieved by obeying the Dharma and gaining good Karma

12. Caste System: social class system that structures society
Dharma: Rules of your Caste
Karma (Report Card): Good & Bad deeds
Determines whether you move up or down caste system in next life

13. Assessment Prompt 2
Describe the significance of reincarnation on Hindu class structure. Try to do this in two to three sentences.

14. Buddhism Has a base in Hinduism
Founded by a man named Siddahartha Guatama aka “Buddha”
Unlike Hinduism, there is no God in Buddhism.
Rejected many gods of Hinduism & the caste system
Guatama left his home at age 29 and searched for enlightenment for 6 years
Enlightenment = wisdom. The Sutras = sacred texts.

15. Buddhist Beliefs Reincarnation Achieve enlightenment (nirvana)
Nirvana is the release from selfishness & pain
Can be achieved in one lifetime
4 Noble Truths:
Life is suffering
Suffering is caused by Desire
End Suffering, End Desire
Way to end Desire follow 8 Fold Path

16. 8 Fold Path: Following this anyone can reach nirvana
Speech, action, work, thought, meditation, mindfulness, effort, view
5 Precepts
Do not harm living things
Do not steal
Avoid over stimulation
Do not say unkind things
No Drugs/Alcohol

17. Assessment Prompt 3
Please complete the venn diagram on what you have learned regarding Hinduism and Buddhism.
Hinduism
Buddhism

18. Caste System Activity
Using magazines you will be creating 2 posters to explain the caste system.
One picture will be your reincarnation before and other will be what happened after your reincarnation.
Using the terms (Karma, Dharma, Moksha & Caste) create a story explaining your life before and after reincarnation. Explain whether you went up or down the caste system based on the deeds of your previous life.