Download Roots of Hinduism and Buddhism

Roots of Hinduism and
Buddhism
Chapter 3 Section 2
Hinduism Develops
Over Centuries
Hinduism is a collection
of religious beliefs
that developed slowly
over a long period of
time. Some aspects
of the religion can be
traced back to ancient
times, such as reciting
verses from the Vedas
daily.

Origins and Beliefs
Hindus share a common
world-view. They see
religion as a way of
liberating the soul
from the illusions,
disappointments, and
mistakes of everyday
existence.
Reincarnation and
Karma are both
Hindu ideas.
Hinduism Changes and
Develops
Hinduism has gone
through many
changes over the last
2,500 years. Today,
they are free to
choose the deity they
worship or to choose
none at all, but most
people follow family
traditions.
Hinduism and Society
Hindu ideas about
Karma and
reincarnation
strengthened the caste
system. If you were
good in your last life,
then you were born
into a higher caste.
New Religions Arise
Mahavira, the founder of
Jainism, 599-527 BC
believed that
everything in the
universe has a soul
and so should not be
harmed. Jain monks
sweep ants off their
path and wear gauze
masks over their
mouths to avoid
breathing in an insect.
The Buddha Seeks
Enlightenment
Siddhartha Gautama,
born a noble in Nepal,
founded Buddhism.
It was prophesied that
he would be a great
king or religious
leader.

Siddhartha decided to go
on a journey seeking
enlightenment, or
wisdom. Once, after 49
days of meditation, he
achieved an
understanding of the
cause of suffering in
this world, and from
then on, he was known
as the Buddha, meaning
“enlightened one”
Origins and Beliefs
He began preaching the
four main ideas that
he learned, called the
Four Noble Truths.
These have to do with
self-denial of earthly
pleasures. All of this
in the attempt to
reach Nirvana,
release from
selfishness and pain.
The Religious
Community
Sangha, or buddhist
religious order,
eventually referred to
the entire religious
community.
Buddhism and Society
Because of his rejection
of the caste system,
many of the Buddha’s
early followers
included laborers and
craftspeople. Monks
and nuns took vows
of poverty and
chastity and
wandered around
India spreading the
Buddha’s teachings.
Buddhism in India
Missionaries went from
Southeast Asia to
China, however it
never gained a real
foothold in India. It
does remain an
important place of
pilgrimages for
Buddhists.
Trade and the Spread of
Buddhism
Traders played a crucial
role in the spread of
Buddhism. They
carried it all the way
along the Silk Road,
to Korea and Japan.
Making it the most
widespread religion
of East Asia.