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Hinduism and Buddhism
Chapter 3
Section 3
Vedanta
• “End of the Vedas”
• 700 B.C.
– Indian religious thinkers
questioned the authority of
the Brahmins
• Vedanta
• Teachings collected in the
Upanishads, which explained
the Vedanta religion
• Ordinary people could not
read or write, so they learned
through teachings and stories
Vedanta
• Epics
– Eventually the
stories were
combined into two
epics
• The Mahabharata
• The Ramayana
– Read last
paragraph on p. 60
– What is the
importance of these
epics?
Societal Developments
• Between 1500 B.C.
and A.D. 500
– Caste system
• Transformed Indian
society
– Created 4 distinct
“varnas”
• Varna- social class
Varnas
Rulers and
Warriors
Brahmins, priests, and scholars
Merchants, traders, and farmers
Peasants and others who did menial labor
Pariahs, or “untouchables”- performed unclean jobs (read quote on p. 61)
Varnas
• Jati
– Over time, the 4
varnas formed
subgroups called Jati
– A person was born
into his/her parents’
jati
– Very strict rules
• It determined:
– Your job
– Who you could eat
with
– Who you could marry
Discussion
• How would your life be different if a caste system
existed in the United States?
– Material possessions?
– Boyfriends/Girlfriends?
– Jobs?
• Agree or Disagree: Although not as explicit, a
certain cycle exists today that would resemble a
caste system.
• How can you change or continue the cycle?
Hinduism
• Gradually spread to become India’s
major religion
– Developed from the Brahmin
priests’ explanations of the Vedas
• Brahman-the Hindu God
– A divine essence that fills
everything in the world
• Self/Atman
– A person’s individual essence
• Brahman and Atman are one in
the same
– This means that all things in the
universe are of the same essence
as God
Hinduism
• Monistic
– Belief in the unity of God and
creation
– Not monotheistic (belief in one
god)
• Beliefs:
– The world we see is an illusion,
maya
• If people accept maya, they
cannot be saved
– It may take many lifetimes to fully
recognize maya
• Reincarnation-rebirth of souls
Hinduism
• Dharma
– Doing one’s moral duties
• Karma
– Good or bad force created
by a person’s actions
• Reincarnation
– Fulfilling dharma and having
good karma=higher social
group
– Those not living moral
lives=lower social group or
even animal
Hinduism
• Nirvana
– Eventually, souls who grow will
reach nirvana
• A perfect peace
• Soul unites with Brahman
• Brahman
– Can be represented by a
number of gods
• Ex. Vishnu the Preserver or Siva
the Destroyer
• Even spirits of trees and animals
• But all are a part of Brahman
• Not polytheistic
Hinduism
• Practices
– Yoga:
• Mental and physical
exercises designed to bring
the body and soul together
– Festivals:
• Religious ceremonies
combined with rituals,
dancing, eating, and drinking
– Sacred animals
• Especially cows, which are
protected by law
• Why do you think cows are
sacred to Hindus?
Hinduism
• So what’s with the red
dot?
– It is called a “bindi”
– Today, many girls and
women choose to sport
a bindi
– In the past, it was meant
to represent status and a
sign that means a
woman is happily
married
Hinduism
• Video clip
Buddhism
• Founded by Siddhartha
Gautama
– Buddha, or “Enlightened One”
– Born in 563 B.C. in northern
India
• Father was a wealthy prince
• Shielded from the harsh
realities of life
– At 29, he ventured from his
home
• Shocked to learn of the
tragedies of everyday life
• Vowed to discover the reasons
for suffering
Buddha
• The Great Renunciation
– Siddhartha left his home and
lifestyle in search of truth and
meaning
• Practiced yoga, meditated,
and fasted until he nearly
died
• None gave answers
– After 6 years, he found the
truth that formed the basis of
life while meditating
• He became Buddha
Buddha
• Way of Life
– Spent the remainder of life
teaching followers to pursue
the way to enlightenment
• Teachings
– Reincarnation
• Believed the progress of
the soul depends on the
life a person leads
– Salvation
• Comes from knowing the
“Four Noble Truths” and
following the “Eightfold
Path”
Buddhism
• Ethics
– Code of morals and conduct
• More important that ceremonies
•
•
•
•
Stressed selflessness
Did not accept the Hindu gods
Believed priests should live in poverty
Rejected the importance of the caste system
– Believed any person could reach nirvana
• Rejected the Vedas as “sacred writings”
• Who do you think would embrace/reject these teachings?
Buddhism
• Read the Four Noble Truths
and the Eightfold Path
– P. 64
– How do you stack up?
• Activity
– Interview a classmate and
record their responses to
questions about the Eightfold
Path
Buddhism
• The Spreading of Buddhism
– Buddha only gained a few followers
during his lifetime
• Split into 2 branches between 200
B.C. and A.D. 200
– Theravada Buddhism
• Believed Buddha was a great teacher
and spiritual leader
– Mahayana Buddhism
• Believed Buddha was a god and a savior
• Declined in India, but gained many
followers in other parts of Asia
– See map on p. 63
Draw the Venn Diagram below:
• HW
• 10 pts
Work in pairs to complete the diagram
Hinduism
Buddhism
Buddhism
• Video clip