Download Ancient Religions and Philosophies

Ancient Religions and
Philosophies
Hinduism
Began about 3000 BCE however, the
date is unknown.
Symbol is the
“OM”
Hindu Temple is traditionally called an ashram.
Polytheism
Hinduism is a way of life and a set of beliefs. It also
includes customs and practices. Hindus see other
religions as different paths towards the same goal.
They have many gods and goddesses. It is not a
single religion, but many religions tolerating one
another in the shifting framework of the caste
system.
Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are
many"
The Caste System and
Hinduism Developed
Out of Aryan Beliefs
1500 BC- 500BC
• The original
inhabitants were the
Dravidians who were
settled farmers and
they inhabited the
Northern part of the
region.
• The Aryans were
nomadic cattle
herders.
They invaded the region and forced the
Dravidians to move south or become their
servants. Aryans limited social contact with the
Dravidians because the Aryans believed the
Dravidians were below them. This social
separation led to the caste system.
The Caste System
Is/Was the basis of law. Rigid rules which
determine a person’s occupation, diet, status,
etc. from birth. They are born into their caste
group. There are four groups within the caste
system.
The Harijans are
considered beneath the
Caste System.
ADVANTAGES
•
•
•
•
•
•
sense of security
spiritual rebirth upward
occupational interdependence
gives order to society
unifies man and god
allows outsiders to absorb
DISADVANTAGES
• Limits on marriage, jobs, food, &
individual initiative
• Segregation of society
• Resists technological change
• Creates a ranking system
• Provides for stagnation in slowly
changing society
Main Ideas of Hinduism
– Vedas – collection of hymns and religious
ceremonies of the Hindus that were passed down
orally and eventually written down
– Karma – a person’s actions on Earth that determine
how the soul will be reborn. Good actions are
rewarded with reincarnation into a higher rank on
the caste system. Bad deeds are punished.
– Reincarnation – belief that the soul is reborn in a
different form after death. Reincarnation reinforces
the caste system of India.
Other Important Beliefs
• Brahma – single unifying spirit is permanent in
an ever-changing world.
• All life is sacred.
Who do Hindus worship? –
the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Lakshmi, goddess of
good fortune
Brahma, the creator god
Vishnu, the preserver god
Shiva, god of constructive
destruction
Ganesha
(the elephant headed
remover of obstacles)
Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, consort of
Brahma
Durga, protectress
Kali, destroyer of demons
Parvati, divine mother
Plus about 330 million other deities
All these deities are but
Manifest forms (attributes
and functions) of the
Brahman
Location
Hinduism is associated primarily with
India and has spread little throughout the
world.
Buddhism
Begins during the life of Buddha: 567-483 B.C.
Symbol is the
Wheel of Life
and the Lotus
Flower
A white lotus flower refers to purity of the mind and the spirit. If a lotus
flower is red, it refers to compassion and love. The blue lotus flower
refers to the common sense; it uses wisdom and logic to create
enlightenment.
Life of Buddha
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama born to a noble
family in Northern India. Because he was born in
India he was born into a higher caste ranking.
• However, he suffered hardships in his life which
lead him to seek out isolation and simple living.
• During this time, he claims to have reached a
spiritual state of Enlightenment also called
Nirvana.
• He them became known as “The Buddha” and
also “The Enlighten One.”
• He rejected the Caste System and proclaimed
that all people who reach Enlightenment.
• Buddha became the spiritual guide for
Enlightenment.
Main Ideas and Practices
• Non-violence
• Self-denial
• Seeking oneness with the “Great
World Soul”
• Mediation and Discipline
• Devotion (bowing, offering,
pilgrimage, chanting)
• Meditation (controlled breathing
used to transform the mind)
• Monastic life (living as a monk or
nun---completely holy life)
• Vegetarianism
The Spread of Buddhism
• Within two
centuries after the
Buddha died,
Buddhism began to
spread north and
east into Asia on
the Silk Road
• Both Hinduism and
Buddhism organize
from present day
India.
Confucianism
Begins during the life of Confucius: 551–479 BC.
Symbol
represents
Loyalty
Life and Time of Confucius
– Confucianism is a philosophy and NOT a religion. It is a
way of conducting one’s self.
– Based on the ideas of Confucius (the Latin name for
Master Kung). His major ideas are recorded in the
Analects.
– Living in a time of great confusion and chaos in China,
Confucius sought to restore order through a basic set
of ideas.
Philosophy
– Within Confucianism, there is an
assumption that the universe has an
order; therefore, mankind should focus
on Human Behavior.
– Confucius thought that if people knew
what was expected of them, they would
act accordingly.
– Additionally, although the following is
often associated with being a work
ethic, Confucianism believes if we focus
on the five relationships and do what is
right, there will be harmony.
The Five Bonds
• Ruler to Ruled
• Father to Son
• Husband to Wife
• Elder Brother to Younger
Brother
• Friend to Friend
Spread of Confucianism
• Confucianism
spread throughout
Eastern Asia.
Judaism
Begins with Abraham in about 1500 BC
Symbol
Star of David
&
Menorah
• Founders of the early belief systems: Abraham,
Moses, David
• The historical origins lie in Mesopotamia.
Main Ideas
–Ethical monotheism
–10 commandments
–Torah – First 5 books
–Prophesies such as a Messiah
–“Promised Land”
Development of monotheism
– Gradual development
– Mesopotamian civilizations – cities had a local patron
deity, such as Sin at Ur.
– Egypt – Pharaoh Akhenaten claims to be a supreme god
– India – references in the Rig Veda
– Zoroastrianism – Ahura Mazda is supreme deity. An
ancient religion founded by the Persian prophet
Zoroaster, the principal belief of which is in a supreme
deity (god) and the struggle between good and evil
– Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) – one
supreme God; also referenced as Yahweh or Allah
These were the thoughts and belief
systems that helped shape the culture of
the ancient river civilizations.
Test Next Class Period! Study!
To learn without thinking is fruitless;
To think without learning is dangerous.
Confucius – “Lun Yu” Chap. 2