Download Teacher Copy: World Religions Notes (Hinduism, Buddhism

Hinduism
Monotheistic or
Polytheistic
Origin
Founder
Name of God
Polytheistic and Monotheistic depending on group
Indian Subcontinent
Around 3000 BCE
No known founder
Brahman (Creator); Vishnu (restores/protects universe); Shiva (destroys
universe) & … 1,000s of gods
Name of Follower
Hindu
Key teacher/
Religious Example
Brahmans (priests) and the gods in their many forms
Place of worship
Religious Text
Key Doctrine
Temple
Brahmans (priests)
Vedas (oldest)
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Customs
Afterlife belief
Major groups
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Reincarnation- soul is reborn into another person/animal depending on
karma
Karma- consequences (good or bad)
Goal is to gain good karma and be released from reincarnation
Four goals to life:
o fulfilling one's purpose
o prosperity
o enjoyment
o enlightenment
Not eating meat
Enforcing social classes – in India (Caste System)
Shrines for gods in the home
Use yoga and meditation to help reach enlightenment
Diwali- Holiday in Oct/Nov that celebrates victory of good over evil
Ganges River in India is very important- rivers are life sources
Reincarnation- reborn into a life you have earned in your previous live
Monotheistic groups (Vishnu or Shiva as main gods)
Polytheistic groups
Buddhism
Monotheistic or
Polytheistic
Origin
Polytheistic and Monotheistic- depends on group
Indian Subcontinent
Around 500 BCE
Founder
Siddhartha Gautama/Buddha
Name of God
Depends of branch:
 No creator
 Buddha is god or savior
 Hindu gods
Buddhist
Name of Follower
Key teacher/
Religious Example
Place of worship
Religious Text
Key Doctrine
Customs
Siddhartha Gautama/Buddha
Shrine
temples
Depends on branch
 Mahayana Buddhism: Sutras
 Theravada Buddhism: Tripitaka
 life is suffering (because of worldly desires)
 reincarnation
 to escape suffering you must follow the Eightfold Path (how to lead a
good life)
 Goal- reach nirvana (state of bliss) and end reincarnation
 3 Jewels of Buddhism:
o The Buddha (your example)
o Dharma (path you follow)
o Buddhist Community (helps you)
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Afterlife belief
Major groups
Celebrating Buddha – using his statue
Use yoga and meditation to help reach enlightenment
Use shrines at home to worship
Losar: The Tibetan New Year Celebration, time to visit temples or
shrines to show commitment to religion
Sangha Day: Celebrates Buddhist Community
Reincarnation
Theravada- You find your own way to enlightenment
Mahayana- Bodhisattvas help you find your way
Confucianism
Monotheistic or
Polytheistic
Origin
Founder
Name of God
Neither- way of life, not a religion
China
Around 600 BCE
Confucius (551-479BCE)
None
Name of Follower
Confucian
Key teacher/
Religious Example
Confucius
Place of worship
Religious Text
None
Analects
Key Doctrine
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People are teachable, improvable and perfectible
Important traits:
o human goodness
o behave correctly
o Wisdom
o Trustworthiness
o Respect elders
Customs
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Respecting Important relationships:
o Leader vs. follower
o Parent vs. child
o Husband vs. wife
Focuses on living correctly- combined with other religious customs of
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism
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Afterlife belief
Major groups
None
Often combined with other religions