Download Hinduism & Buddhism

Hinduism & Buddhism
Goal: What are the similarities and differences
between Hinduism and Buddhism? (Learning
Target 4d)
Origins of Hinduism & Buddhism
 The beliefs of the Vedic Age (Aryans)
developed into Buddhism & Hinduism
 Why does this matter now?
- Almost 1/5th of the world’s people
today practice
one of these
two religions
Development of Hinduism
 Developed gradually, collection of religious
beliefs
 No single founder
 Religion seen as a way of
liberating the soul from illusions,
disappointments, mistakes
 Dialogues or discussions of the Vedic hymns
developed into the Upanishads
Beliefs of Hinduism
Desire Moksha 
Atman 
Brahman 
State of perfect
understanding
Individual soul
of living being
Universal soul – unites
all atmans
Beliefs of Hinduism
 Reincarnation  Soul is reborn until moksha is
achieved
 One’s karma, or good & bad deeds, influences caste or
circumstances in next life
Supported the Caste System
 Complex & rigid social system…
 People divided into varnas (groups)
1. Brahmins  priests
2. Kshatriyas  rulers & warriors
3. Vaishyas  peasants & traders
4. Shudras  laborers
5. Pariahs  “Untouchables”
Cleanliness & purity were
essential
“Untouchables” –
considered impure
because of their work
– i.e. butchers, gravediggers,
trash collectors
Brahman is three major gods in one
(some depictions of Hindu gods)
1. Brahma Creator
2. Vishnu  Protector
3. Shiva  Destroyer
Hinduism’s Growth & Influence
 Hinduism changed over time
- Different deities have become more
important
- Today, Hindus are able to choose deity of
worship & different paths to moksha
Hindus comprise
 Hinduism affected society
13.7% (765,351,710)
- Strengthened caste system
of the world's
population residing
- Dominated aspects of life
in 150 countries
In Galle, Sri Lanka, the local shrine to Vishnu and
Kanda, two Hindu gods, survived where the buildings
all around it did not.
Overview Questions
• How does one reach moksha?
• What is the difference between Atman
and Brahman?
• What is the relationship between
reincarnation, karma, & caste
according to Hinduism?
• How has Hinduism changed?
• What influence has Hinduism had on
society in India?
Roots of Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama: founder of Buddhism
The Life of Siddhartha
 Born to noble family; isolated from the
world
 Finally left palace – saw old age, sickness,
poverty, death
 Wanted to put an end to
life’s suffering
The Search for Enlightenment
 Decided he could not be happy going back to the
life he once lived
 Wandered in forests
 Debated with other religious seekers
 Fasted
 Meditated for 49 days under large fig tree
 Achieved understanding of the cause of
suffering in the world
 Became Buddha, “the enlightened one”
The Four Noble Truths
1) life is filled with suffering and
sorrow
2) the cause of all suffering is
people’s selfish desire
3) Way to end suffering is to end
all desires
4) the way to overcome such
desires and attain
enlightenment is to follow the
Eightfold Path
a.k.a. the Middle Way – avoiding
extremes
Goal was to reach “nirvana” release from selfishness & pain
 Buddha also believed in
reincarnation
 Accepted cyclical view of
history – world is created &
destroyed again and again
 However, he rejected
Hindu gods
 He reacted against the
privileges of the Brahmin
priests
 Sangha – Buddhist religious order
– Includes monks, nuns, & entire Buddhist community
 Dharma – Buddhist doctrine or teachings, universal law
of nature
“Three Jewels” of Buddhism = Sangha, Buddha, &
dharma
 Many of Buddha’s early followers were laborers and
craftspeople
 He reluctantly admitted women to religious orders –
however, he feared that women’s presence would
distract men from their religious duties
 Monks & nuns took vows of poverty,
nonviolence, and not to marry
Teachings of Buddha were written down after
his death (1st century BC)
Buddhist sacred literature includes
commentaries, rules of monastic life, manuals on
meditation, and legends about Buddha’s
previous reincarnations
 India is important place of pilgrimages for
Buddhists
 Visit spots associated with Buddha’s life –
birthplace, the fig tree, site of first sermon, & the
sacred mounds (said to contain his relics)
Trade Spreads Buddhism
Traders spread Buddhism to China, Korea, Japan
– Did not catch on as much in India
 Missionaries also traveled spreading Buddhist
philosophies
Overview Questions
 How did Siddhartha Gautama become
known as Buddha?
 How does one reach nirvana?
 How did Buddhism affect society?
 How and where did Buddhism spread?