1. Ancient India Religion

2. Two Major Religions Ancient India followed two major religions Hinduism Buddhism

3. Hinduism Founded in 1500 B.C.E in the Indus Valley Grew out of Brahmanism Holy book is the Vedas Have many holy days Worship in Temples Priests are their religious leaders Gandhi is a famous Leader who practiced Hinduism Symbol is Lotus Plant

4. Hindu Beliefs Polytheistic- Hindus worship many gods Three main gods Brahma- the creator Vishnu- the protector Shiva- The destroyer

5. Hindu Beliefs Hindus believe in Reincarnation( each person has many lives) Karma says that what a person does in each life determines what he or she will in the next life Good deeds allow a person to be reborn as a higher being Evil deeds cause a person to be reborn as a lower being

6. Buddhism Founded in India by Siddhartha Guatama (later came to be the Buddha) Buddhists try to follow life of the Buddha Led by monks and nuns Worship in temples Symbol is the Lotus Plant Buddha’s teachings are in the Dharma

7. Buddhist Beliefs Believe in 4 Noble Truths 1. People suffer because their minds are not at ease 2. That condition comes from wanting what one doesn’t have or from wanting life to be different 3. People can stop suffering by not wanting 4. People can stop wanting by following the Eight Fold Path

8. The Eight Fold Path Following the eight fold path meant having the right opinions, desires, speech, actions, job, effort, concentration, and meditation This path led to Nirvana (state of being where suffering ends)