Download Religions of South Asia

Religions of
South Asia
Hinduism, Buddhism,
Jainism, Sikhism
Hinduism
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Today, 13%of world’s
population
Oldest organized
major religion
Originated in Indus
River Valley
– Between 2500-1500
BCE
– Ca. 900 BCE hymns
and prayers were
recorded in the Rig
Veda, the oldest and
most sacred of the
Vedas.
Caste System

Over time, society
was divided into
groups
– Brahmins: Priests and
scholars
– Rulers and warriors
– Traders and farmers
– Menial laborers and
servants
– Untouchables,or
outcasts
Reincarnation
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Cycle of life and
rebirth: Samsara
Karma determines the
next life
Dharma is the path to
a good rebirth
Some choose to
escape the cycle of
rebirth by leading
ascetic lives (denying
themselves pleasure)
Four Aims of Hinduism
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Dharma:
righteousness
Artha: material
prosperity
Kama: gratification
of the senses
Moksha: liberation
from the cycle of
samsara
– Supreme goal
Dieties (Gods)

Henotheistic
– One God represented
by many
manifestations or
aspects of that god
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Brahman: the creator
Vishnu:
preserver/protector
Shiva: the destroyer
Many others
– Worshipers may offer
gifts and chant
mantras believed to
summon gods
– Hindus often make
pilgrimages to sacred
sites
Buddhism
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About 6%
Born as an offshoot or
reform of Hinduism
Based on the
teachings of
Siddhartha Gautama
– Born as a minor
prince, ca. 563 BCE
– Reality challenged his
sheltered ideals
– Left his family (and
privilege) to wander
and question life
Legend


While sitting under
banyan tree,
Gautama passed
through four
stages of
meditation
Attained
enlightenment
– Buddha:
“Enlightened one”
Teachings
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He did not claim to
be divine, nor
inspired by divine
revelation
Four Noble Truths
1. Life is filled with
anguish (suffering)
2. Materialism leads to
anguish
3. Nirvana exists
4. The Eightfold Path
leads to Nirvana
Eightfold Path


Forbids theft, lying,
strong drink,
sexual promiscuity,
and killing
Stresses that no
harm shall be
done to any
creature
Buddhism in Asia

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In time, Buddhism
disappeared in
India
But spread…
– Over the
Himalayas to

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Tibet (Lamaism)
China (Mahayana)
Japan and China
(Zen)
– And to SE Asia

(Theravada)
Jainism
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4.2 million
adherents in India
Like Buddhism,
grew in
environment of
Hinduism
– Dates to 900 BCE
– Jains believe it
goes back millions
of years
Beliefs

Immediate
consequences of
one’s physical and
mental behavior
– Every soul’s place is
determined by its
karma
– Every Soul is the
architect of its own life
– A soul freed from its
karma has goodconsciousness
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Infinite knowledge
Infinite perception
Infinite power
Infinite bliss
How to?

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Right view, right
knowledge, right
conduct
Control your senses
Limit your
possessions
Don’t waste life
– All life worthy of
respect
– Strive to rise up ladder
of spiritual evolution
Sikhism
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Began in 15th century
(1400s) in Punjab
– Controlled by Muslims

Founded by Guru
Nanak
– “I am not a Hindu, nor
am I a Muslim”
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Followed by 10 gurus
The Guru Granth
Sahib
– Scriptures
– 1604 AD
Beliefs and Principles
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One God-infinite
qualities and names
Reincarnation, with
the goal of salvation
Remember God
Brotherhood
The 5s
– 5 Ks
– 5 thieves
– 5 weapons