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Hinduism & Buddhism
Mr. Davis
Social Studies 7
Hinduism
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India’s first major religion
Began before recorded history
Developed slowly over time—no one
person founded it
Most likely a blend of Aryan religions
and the religions of people they
conquered (northern India)
Early Practices of Hinduism
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Ritual bathing
Lighting sacred (holy) fires
Worshipping certain gods
Vedas
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Hinduism is based on the Vedas. The
Vedas are a large collection of sacred
songs, poems, and teachings. Veda means
“knowledge” in Sanskrit.
The Vedas are written in Sanskrit, the
ancient language of India.
Vedic Rituals
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Vedic rituals honored the gods and over
time became more and more complex.
In time, the Brahmins became the
highest class in India. The Brahmins were
the high priests.
This idea of priests in the highest class
became known as Brahmanism—which
developed a social hierarchy of castes.
The Caste System
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Castes are social classes oh Hinduism.
There are originally four castes:
Brahmins = high priests
Kshatriyas = rulers and warriors
Vaishyas = herders and merchants
Shudras = servants
Each caste has a purpose
Untouchables
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In time, a fifth caste arose: The
Untouchables.
Untouchables have jobs that are
considered lowly or dirty (cleaning up
garbage, dead animals, etc.)
Untouchables lived separate from other
castes and were not allowed to enter
temples.
Castes
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You are born into a caste.
You cannot move out of that caste.
You must marry within that caste.
Brahman
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Brahman is the Hindu name for Supreme Power.
Only it lasts forever. Everything that ever
existed is a part of it.
Everything with a beginning and an end is
cyclical (TIME MOVES IN A CIRCLE)—always
changing, being born, dying, etc.
Brahman is always creating, changing, growing,
destroying…
More Hindu Facts
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One part of Brahman is the atman, or
human soul—which can last over multiple
lifetimes
Hindu temples are built to ancient
specifications. For example, they all face
the same direction.
Visitors to these temples sit quietly and
meditate—give thanks, make requests, take
part in rituals.
Indra
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In ancient times, INDRA was the most
powerful god to Hindus.
He was the god of thunder.
His weapon was a lightning bolt and he
rode around in a golden chariot or on a
white elephant.
Multiple Gods
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Hinduism has THREE main gods:
Brahma The Creator
Vishnu The Preserver
Shiva The Destroyer
Many stories of Hindu gods involve battles of
these gods defeating evil spirits or demons.
Devi is another important god—embodies all
female powers of the universe.
Ramayana
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Famous story of the gods battling evil
Rama’s fierce battle with Ravana (an evil
spirit or demon).
Divali & Dharma
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Hindu New Year is called “Divali.” It is
celebrated by lighting candles and sparklers.
Belief in dharma—the ideas of law, order,
and obligation.
VARNA DHARMA = System of social
classes—”The way of one’s kind”
Dharma beliefs: marriage, sharing food, care
for the soul, nonviolence
The Cow
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The cow is the most sacred animal to Hindus.
They are especially important to life in India.
They give milk and butter, are used for
transportation, and after they died their skins
could be used for clothing.
Hindus are taught never to harm them. They
are not to kill cows even if people are starving.
Karma
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Karma is what happens to the soul
when you die.
Reincarnation of the soul—as a reward
or a punishment for the previous life
that was lived on Earth.
Modern idea: “What goes around,
comes around.”
Karma
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GOOD LIFE = rebirth into a higher class
BAD LIFE = rebirth into a lower class or
even as an animal
This is fair because souls are rewarded or
punished for the good or evil they have
done.
Much criticism over caste system in recent
years.
Karma and the castes today
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Gandhi said the untouchables are
“children of God.”
Today, Indian law protects all people and
the caste system is less strict.
Samsara
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Hindu cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Once a soul unites with Brahman,
Samsara ends.
REINCARNATION = the belief that a
person’s soul is reborn into another body
after death.
By following the Hindu belief system, a
person can break this cycle of rebirth
Pilgrimages
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Pilgrimages (holy trips) to the Ganges
and Sarasvarti Rivers. Hindus believe
these difficult trips will cleanse them of
their sins.
Many travel over difficult land for many
days. They lie face down at holy sites, or
bathe in the Ganges River to purify
themselves.
Hindu monks: Sannyasins
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Meditation
Perform breathing exercises
Recite prayers
Sing sacred songs
Yoga = a type of Hindu meditation!
Buddhism
The Life of Prince Siddhartha
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Prince Siddhartha was born
about 563 BC in Northern
India
His parents were powerful
rulers.
When his mom was
pregnant with him, she had
a dream where she was
flown to the top of the
Himalayas and struck by a
six-tusked elephant.
Brahmins said the child
would grow up to be a
“great man.”
Three Forms of Suffering
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Aging = the body weakens as we get
older
Sickness = illness brings pain
Death = comes to all sometime
Siddhartha was made aware of these
things at an early age
Ascetics
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One day, Siddhartha met an ascetic—a
person who gives up worldly pleasures.
In order to be free from suffering, one
must give up the pleasures and comforts
of the world.
Siddhartha becomes an Ascetic
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Prince Siddhartha wanted to find
Enlightenment.
He went into the middle of the forest, got
rid of all of his royal possessions, cut his
hair, and kept a small bowl for alms, or
food given to the poor.
Ascetics deny the body of basic needs:
sleep, shelter, and food.
Unable to become Enlightened
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Siddhartha learned that self-denial did not
lead to Enlightenment.
Sought a “middle path” to Enlightenment.
The Middle Path
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Siddhartha sat under the Bodhi tree
(Enlightenment tree)
While meditating, he was tempted by the
evil goddess Mara and her three
daughters: Discontent, Delight, and
Desire. He rejected all of them.
Nirvana
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The ideal state of happiness
Siddhartha became aware of the cycles of
birth, death, and rebirth—reincarnation,
and karma.
When he awakened, he became Buddha,
the Enlightened One.
Buddha’s Teachings: The 4 Noble
Truths
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1. Suffering is present in all things—
nothing lasts forever.
2. Suffering is caused by cravings.
3. The way to end suffering is to give up
all cravings.
4. The way to give up cravings is the
Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path
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1 – RIGHT UNDERSTANDING  develop a
deep understanding of the 4 Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
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2 – RIGHT PURPOSE  live a life of
selflessness, love, and nonviolence
The Eightfold Path
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3 – RIGHT SPEECH  Be careful and
truthful in what you say. Don’t lie or
gossip.
The Eightfold Path
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4 – RIGHT ACTION  Don’t kill, steal, or
lie. Be honest.
The Eightfold Path
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5 – RIGHT WAY TO EARN A LIVING 
Don’t work a job that causes harm to
people or living creatures.
The Eightfold Path:
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6 – RIGHT EFFORT  Promote good and
prevent evil
The Eightfold Path
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7 – RIGHT MINDFULNESS  Be aware of,
but not attached to, emotions, thoughts,
and feelings.
The Eightfold Path
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8 – RIGHT CONCENTRATION  Focus
your mind with practices such as
meditation.