1. RELIGIONS OF ANCIENT INDIA
HINDUISM
BUDDHISM
JAINISM

2. Hinduism One of the world’s oldest religions
Has no founder, evolved over thousands of years and was influenced by many cultures
Practiced in ancient India by the Aryans
Religious beliefs of the Hindus are found in the Vedas, a collection of hymns and religious ceremonies
Beliefs
Polytheistic, belief in the caste system
Brahman – single force, external being that created and preserves the world, a form of ultimate reality

3. Everything in the world is simply an aspect of Brahman
Every person has an atman
Soul, that is an aspect of Brahman
A person’s atman shapes their personality and cannot be destroyed by death
The duty of the atman I to seek to know this ultimate reality called Brahman
Devas = various manifestations of Brahman, are active in the world
Many Hindus recognize three devas:
Brahma the Creator
Vishnu the Preserver
Siva the Destroyer

4. There are thousands of devas
Continual pattern of birth, death, and rebirth
At death the atman is released from the body and later reborn in another
Called reincarnation = belief that the individual soul is reborn into a new form after death
The nature of the person’s new life will be shaped by their karma
Karma = force generated by a person’s actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life
good karma = reborn into a higher caste
bad karma = reborn into a lower caste
Gave religious basis for the rigid caste system

5. Gave hope to the lower castes
The ultimate goal of human existence is achieve moksha
Moksha = escape or release from the cycle of rebirth
Atman leaves the world and reunites with Brahman – Hindus work toward achieving this
The way to achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma
Dharma = (divine law) a person’s spiritual duties and obligations which they must follow to achieve liberation
Various depending on status and caste
Fulfilling dharma allows a person to create good karma

6. Yoga = (union) method of training designed to lead to the union
Helps people meditate by practicing a series of integrated physical and mental exercises
Make a pilgrimage to a holy location
Pilgrimage = religious journey
For Hindus one of the most holy places they want to visit in their lifetime is the Ganges river, believe that the water is holy
Believe that bathing in the Ganges will purify and remove some bad karma

7. Jainism 500 BC a group of Hindus broke away and formed a new religion
Led by a teacher named Mahavira
Thought Hindus put too much emphasis on ritual
Could achieve moksha by giving up all worldly things and carefully controlling their actions
Idea of ahimsa = non-violence
Jains avoid harming any living creature, usually vegetarian
Promise to tell only the truth and avoid stealing
Most devout Jains live outside and sweep in front as they walk to avoid stepping on bugs

8. Buddhism Founded in the 6th century BC by Siddartha Gautama
Later took the name of Buddha, which means “Enlightened One”
Prince who left home and wandered the land looking for answers and enlightenment
His goal was to seek the cure for human suffering
Resolved to find a way to overcome age and sickness to keep people from having to suffer

9. Decided one must deny the reality of the material world
Pain, poverty, and sorrow are caused by attachments to things of this world
Once you let go of worldly cares, pain and sorrow can be forgotten and wisdom can be achieved (bodhi)
Achieving wisdom is a key step to achieving nirvana
Nirvana = end of self and reunion with the Great World Soul
A state of perfect peace in which the soul will be free from suffering
Four Noble Truths
Ordinary life is full of suffering
This suffering is caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves with pleasure and material goods

10. Eightfold Path = a series of steps that leads to Enlightenment
Overcoming these desires during life eventually brings suffering to an end
The way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path = a series of steps that leads to Enlightenment
Right view Right livelihood
Right attitude Right effort
Right speech Right mindfulness
Right action Right concentration
Can also be expressed as the Middle Way, which advises people to live in moderation in the search for nirvana

11. Other beliefs Spread of Buddhism Believe in reincarnation
Do not believe in the caste system
Do not worship any gods, Buddha forbade followers to worship his image
Spread of Buddhism
Starts out in India, but loses popularity to Islam
Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Korea, Japan, and Sri Lanka

12. Main Religious Teachings
HINDUISM
BUDDHISM
Founded By
Major Goal
Main Religious Teachings
Polytheistic or Monotheistic
Belief in Reincarnation?
Belief in Caste System?
Started Where