Download Belief Systems Buddhism and Hinduism

Chris DeCicco
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Traced back to Indus
River Valley civilization
 Modern day Pakistan
 Developed in Indian
subcontinent
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Elements can be traced
back to 3000 B.C.
Polytheistic religion
 Many gods
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Believed to be a result of cultural diffusion
Aryan invaders and native Indians
1500 BCE
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Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana,
Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita
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Salvation achieved
through the soul, or
atman, becoming one
with reality of the
universe, or Brahman.
One must break free from
reincarnation cycle, or
samsara.
 Breaking free is called
moksha
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Karma is material actions that happen
because of previous actions
Dharma is fulfilling one’s duty in life
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When you die you reincarnate into another life
form, also called samsara
What you reincarnate into depends on karma
and dharma
Reincarnation symbolized with infinity symbol
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When you’re born you are
given life by Brahma
Life preserved by Vishnu
Shiva is the one who
brings you to death
The cycle is repeated until
you achieve moksha
 End of all suffering, final
state
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Reincarnation justifies the caste system
Caste system is a rigid social structure
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It is believed if you lived a good life, you will
be reincarnated into a person belonging to
the next highest level in the Caste System
If you are bad you will be demoted or
removed from Caste System
Untouchables are the lowest level.
 No hope of returning back to Caste system
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All animals have souls
 All life is sacred
 Cows are extremely sacred. Their peacefulness is
virtuous
 Most Hindus are vegetarians.
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Usually practiced at home where people have
a shrine to a God
Sometimes people go to Hindu Temples
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After independence
from Britain in 1947,
India banned
“untouchability” in
its constitution
Similar caste reforms
reduced
discrimination
However, caste
system still exists
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Hindu priests carry out
religious practices in
temples
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Founded by
Siddhartha Gautama,
or Buddha
Developed in India
Approximately 460
B.C.
Based on many of the
core concepts of
Hinduism
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Tripitka, or The Three Baskets of Wisdom
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Usually practiced individually
There are temples and monasteries
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Siddhartha born into Brahmin caste
Troubled by human misery
Thought desire caused all suffering
Recorded Four Noble Truths
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Life is full of pain and suffering.
Human desire causes this suffering.
By putting an end to desire, humans can end
suffering.
Humans can end desire by following the
Eightfold Path
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Know that suffering
is caused by desire
Be selfless and love
all life
Do not lie, or speak
without cause
Do not kill, steal, or
commit other
unrighteous acts.
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Do not do things which
promote evil.
Take effort to promote
righteousness.
Be aware of your
physical actions, state
of mind, and emotions.
Learn to meditate.
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Endless cycle of reincarnation, or samsara
Similar to Hinduism
Gods are not responsible
Caste System is rejected, you can reincarnate
until nirvana
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Perfect peace of
the state of mind
Free from craving,
anger, and other
afflicting states
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Most common in Southeast Asia and Japan
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Dalai Lama is the spiritual
leader of the Tibetan sect
of Buddhism
 He is considered the
reincarnation of
bodhisattva, or “Buddha-tobe”
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Buddhist monks wear
traditional orange robes