Download WHAP Teacher Copy The Nature of Mind and Universe

The Nature of Mind – Hinduism and Buddhism in South Asia
WHAP/Napp
Objective: To identify and explain significant beliefs of
Hinduism and Buddhism and to compare and contrast belief
systems
Do Now: List beliefs of Hinduism and/or Buddhism from
previous year of study.
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Cues:
Notes:
I.
Hinduism
A. No historical founder
B. Never was a single tradition
C. “Hinduism” as a term derived from outsiders – Greeks, Muslims, British
D. Texts
1. No single sacred texts but sacred texts
2. Vedas
a) Earliest of Hindu texts
b) Collection of poems, hymns, prayers and rituals
c) Compiled by priests called Brahmins, transmitted orally for centuries
(written in Sanskrit around 600 BCE)
1- Brahmins gained power and wealth through the performing of
sacrifices and rituals
2- Dissatisfaction with Brahmins led to another body of sacred texts
3. Upanishads
a) Composed by anonymous thinkers between 800 and 400 BCE
b) Sought to understand the inner meaning of the sacrifices
E. Beliefs
1. Brahman or the World Soul is the ultimate reality
a) Beyond all separate identities, persons, and forms lay this divine reality
b) According to philosophical Hinduism, the individual human soul
(atman) was part of this ultimate reality
c) Therefore, the perceived separateness of people and forms is an illusion
d) Everything is Brahman
2. Moksha
a) Beyond the quest for wealth and power, lay the effort to achieve union
with Brahman
b) An end to the illusory perception of a separate existence - Moksha
(liberation)
c) But until moksha is achieved, there is samsara or rebirth
(reincarnation)
3. Rebirth is determined by the individual’s actions (Karma) and performance
of duty (Dharma)
a) Therefore, caste system is a register of every person’s spiritual progress
Summaries:
Cues:
Notes:
II.
Buddhism
A. Siddhartha Gautama (ca. 556 – ca. 486 BCE)
1. Founder of Buddhism-Indian prince from a small north Indian state
2. Led a sheltered and privileged existence
3. Shocked by the existence of old age, sickness, and death
4. Left family and wealth
5. Began search for the causation and cessation of suffering
B. Once Enlightened One or the Buddha  formulated Four Noble Truths
1. Life has suffering.
2. Selfish desire is the cause of suffering.
3. Suffering can end.
4. Follow the Noble Eightfold Path
a) Eight actions to help eliminate suffering
C. Nirvana is the elimination of suffering
1. The identity is extinguished as are greed, hatred, and delusion
2. Loving-kindness or compassion for all living things develops
D. Comparisons
1. Similarities
a) Karma and reincarnation – meditation as well
b) overcoming incessant demands of ego to achieve release from samsara
2. Differences
a) Rejected religious authority of Brahmins, ridiculed rituals and
sacrifices, not much interested in creation of world/existence of God
3. Reluctantly allowed women to become Buddhist nuns
a) But Buddhist nuns had inferior status than Buddhist monks
b) Nonetheless, in opposition to “The Laws of Manu”
1) Classic Hindu text on the position of women
2) “In childhood, a female must be subject to her father; in youth to
her husband; when her lord is dead to her sons; a woman must
never be independent.”
4. Buddhism’s popularity increased by teachings in Pali, local language
a) During the reign of Ashoka (268 -232 BCE), Buddhism had state support
E. Two Primary Schools of Buddhism
a) Theravada (Teaching of the Elders) portrayed Buddha as a wise
but not divine
b) Mahayana (Great Vehicle) developed in the early centuries CE
1. Claimed help was available for the strenuous journey through
bodhisattvas or spiritually developed individuals who had postponed
entry into nirvana to help others still suffering (even Buddha became
something of a god)
c) But Buddhism died out in land of birth but spread elsewhere
1. A revived Hinduism made Buddhism less attractive
a) Bhakti (devotion to a deity) developed and Buddhism
incorporated into Hindu pantheon
Summaries:
Strayer Question:
 In what ways did the religious traditions of South Asia change over the centuries?

What is the difference between the Theravada and Mahayana expressions of
Buddhism?

What new emphases characterized Hinduism as it responded to the challenges of
Buddhism?
Which of the following regions does
5. How did the Hindu doctrine of
NOT belong in a list of lands to
dharma impact Indian society?
which Buddhism spread substantially
(A) It fostered the formation of rigid
in the centuries following the death
social and economic groups.
of Siddhartha Gautama?
(B) It was the basis of equality under
(A) Southeast Asia
the law between men and women.
(B) Mesopotamia
(C) It influenced the priestly class to
(C) China
implement a standardized set of
(D) Japan
religious rituals for Hindus.
(E) Central Asia
(D) It initiated an integrated
economic system to aid
Buddhism’s rise is most accurately
merchants.
viewed as a modification of which of
(E) It caused the majority of the
the following belief systems?
subcontinent’s population to
(A) Confucianism
settle near the holy waters of the
(B) Islam
Ganges River.
(C) Christianity
(D) Daoism
6. Which major world religion lacks a
(E) Hinduism
central founding figure?
(A) Christianity
Which is NOT a significant
(B) Islam
continuity Buddhism carried over
(C) Judaism
from its Hindu roots?
(D) Buddhism
(A) Endorsement of caste
(E) Hinduism
stratification
(B) Belief in an afterlife
7. Which of the following is unique to
(C) Concern with and reverence of
the Hindu religion when compared to
beauty in nature
other major world religions?
(D) Ornate temple architecture
I.
Belief in some form of afterlife
(E) Centrality of ritual in worship
II.
Absence of a central founding
figure
Which beliefs do Hinduism and
III.
Distinct denominations
Buddhism have in common?
(A) I only
(A) Belief in the caste system
(B) II only
(B) Damnation for sinners
(C) I and II
(C) Reverence for Muhammad
(D) II and III
(D) Monotheism
(E) I, II, and III
(E) Reincarnation
1.
2.
3.
4.
Excerpts from wsu.edu
Buddhism & Hinduism Compared
Ways in which Buddhism differs from Hinduism:
1) No need for priests (Brahmins) or rituals.
2) Anyone can enter Nirvana, no matter how lowly, whereas in Hinduism only the
Brahmins could achieve moksha.
3) In Theravada Buddhism, there are no gods. The Buddha is not a god.
4) Karma is not earned by following the dharma of your caste. Instead you can move
toward entry into Nirvana by following the eightfold path.
5) As the "middle way" Buddhism rejects extreme asceticism as well as great wealth. The
ideal in Hinduism is extreme asceticism.
Ways in which Buddhism and Hinduism are similar:
1) Both believe in reincarnation.
2) Both believe there are many different paths to enlightenment.
3) Both believe that our suffering is caused by excessive attachment to things and people in
the physical world.
4) Both believe in an ultimate spiritual reality beyond the illusions of the physical world.
5) Both practice meditation and other forms of yoga.
6) Both believe that eventually all living spirits will achieve enlightenment and liberation,
even if it takes many incarnations.
 Remember that in Mahayana Buddhism, the original teachings of the Buddha are
assimilated to Hindu practices, including prayers, gods (even the Buddha as god in
all his many incarnations). Mahayana Buddhism also introduces the idea of
(temporary) heavens and hells.
Comparative Essay Question:
Analyze similarities and differences in the rise of TWO of the following belief systems.
Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism
The Thesis Statement:
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The Introductory Thesis Paragraph:
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