Download Chapter 4 Empires of Ancient India and China

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What
is a
Brahman?

It is the notion that there is a single
spiritual power .
Bellringer
Hinduism has no single founder.
 It is the one of the world most complex
religions because of the overlapping
beliefs of the different groups that settled
in India.

The Beliefs of Hinduism
Hindus believe that al the universe is a
part of the all powerful spiritual force
called brahman.
 Brahman is too complex for most people
to understand so they worship a variety of
gods.
 Many Gods or One?

Polytheistic or Monotheistic?
http://www.usefulcharts.com/reli
gion/main-hindu-gods-chart.html

Sacred Texts – Vedas and Upanishads

The Goal of Life – to Hindus every person has
an atman or essential self. The ultimate goal
is to achieve moksha with the Brahman.
Moksha requires an individual to free
themselves from selfish desires. As a result,
Hindus belief in reincarnation so people can
continue to work toward moksha.

HINDUISM
Buddhism

Early life
-Born into high caste family
legend says his mother dreamed
that a radiant white elephant
descended to her from heaven,
and this sign led a profit to
predict that the boy would
someday become a wandering
holy man.
to prevent this, Gautama’s
father kept him in his palace
surrounded by comfort and
luxury
 Prince Gautama married, had a
son and a happy life


The Search

For the first time he became
aware of human suffering.

Disturbed, he said goodbye to
his wife and child, and left the
palace, never to return.

-he wanted to discover the
realm of life where there is no
suffering or death.

Buddhism
One day as Gautama rode
beyond palace gardens, he saw
a sick person, an old person,
and a dead body.

Gautama wandered for years, seeking answers from
Hindu scholars and holy men.
e fasted and meditated
-one day, he sat under a giant tree, determined to stay
there until he understood the mystery of life
-for 48 days, evil spirits tried to tempt him to give up
meditations
-Then he suddenly believed he understood the cause and
cure for suffering and sorrow
-when he rose, he was Gautama no longer, but the
“enlightened one” the Buddha

The Four Noble Truths
1. Life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow
2. The cause of suffering is the desire for things
that are illusions, such as riches, power, long life
3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome
desire
4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the
Eightfold path.
-For buddhists, the final goal is nirvana, or the
union with the universe and release from the
cycle of rebirth
Similarities

1. Both religions
believe in ahimsa,
karma, dharma,
moksha, and
reincarnation.
Differences



Buddhists reject
formal rituals and the
many Gods of
Hinduism.
Buddhist also reject
the caste system.
Buddhist believe in
meditation for
enlightenment.

1. Why is there a debate on whether Hinduism is
polytheistic or monotheistic?
 2. What are three basic teachings of Hinduism?
 3. Explain the life of Siddartha Gautama and how
he became Buddha.
 4. a)What are three similarities between
Buddhism and Hinduism? B.) Identify three
difference between the two religions?
 5. If you had to choose between Hinduism or
Buddhism, which religion would you choose and
why?
Review Questions- Please copy
and answer in complete sentences