1. Bellwork Add the following terms to your composition notebook Buddhism
Buddha
enlightenment
nirvana

2. The two major religions of Ancient India
Hinduism and Buddhism
The two major religions of Ancient India

3. The Caste System
Divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation
The caste to which a person belonged determined his or her place in society.
Each caste could only associate with members of their caste. EX: could not marry someone of another caste or even eat with someone of another caste
Socializing with another caste resulted in a person becoming untouchable

4. Origins of Hinduism
Based on the Vedas or a collection of Hindu sacred writings such as hymns and poems
Evolved from Brahmanism or an ancient Indian religion in which the Brahmins (priests and religious scholars) are the dominant class.

5. Basic Beliefs of Hinduism
Polytheistic – believe in many gods
Brahman – universal spirit
Shiva – the destroyer
Vishnu – the preserver
A universal spirit called Brahman who created the universe and everything in it. All other gods are aspects of Brahman.
Every person has a soul or atman that will eventually join with Brahman
People’s souls are reincarnated or reborn many times before they can join with Brahman
A person’s karma (amount of good and bad in a person’s atman) affects how he or she will be reincarnated

6. Siddhartha Gautama India prince born into one of the top castes
He was very concerned with the suffering of other people.
He began to question the meaning of human life and the way of living.
He went on a journey to find answers.
He became known as the Buddha or the “enlightened one.”

7. Three Forms of Human Suffering
Wanting what we like but do not have
Wanting to keep what we like and already have
Not wanting what we dislike but have

8. Teachings of Buddha Four Noble Truths
Suffering and unhappiness are part of life.
Suffering comes from human desires for pleasure and material goods.
People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach nirvana or a state of peace.
People can reach nirvana by following an eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and salvation.
Eightfold Path – the middle way between human desires and denying oneself any pleasure.

9. Buddhism Challenges Hinduism
The Buddha rejected many of the ideas and teachings in the Vedas.
Challenged the authority of Hindu priests – did not believe their rituals were necessary for enlightenment.
Opposed to the caste system – which made Buddhism appealing to many in Indian society