hinduism, buddhism & sikhism

HINDUISM, BUDDHISM & SIKHISM

Hinduism

• Strongly tied to: – Indian history and culture– Indus Valley Civilization– Aryan culture, language and social

organization

Indo-European Migration• 1500 BCE The Aryans migrate into Indus Valley

• Vedas - Sacred literature passed down through oral tradition

• Bring Sanskrit - classical Indian language

Aryans - Caste System

• Dasas did the work no Aryan would do

• Varna or skin color was a feature of this system, (varnas)

• Later called “castes” • Grew more complex over time

• Caste was determined at birth

• Affected all aspects of social life, including work and marriage

• Those considered impure were outside of caste or “untouchables”

• Static social system/could not advance

• Caste became associated with religion

HINDUISM

• Ancient religion w/origins in the Aryan hymns - the Vedas

• Cannot be traced to one founder or set of beliefs

• Complex interaction of many deities, evolves over time to be…

• Seen as a way of liberating the soul from worldly concerns

HINDU TRINITY

• Brahman -world soul

• Three natures

• Brahma - Creator

• Shiva - Destroyer

• Vishnu - Protector

Reincarnation

Reincarnation, rebirth and re-death

• Karma - good and bad deeds follow you

• Dharma - predetermined moral duty, linked to caste, symbol is wheel

• Don’t question dharma

UPANISHADSHindu Religious Writings

• Seek a single religious truth in the many Hindu deities and rituals

• Brahman - world soul• World soul contains and unites all

individual souls

GaneshaMost Widely Worshipped

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Hinduism

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Vishnu the Protector

“OM”Represents the Hindu Trinity

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Swastika - Ancient Hindu SymbolWell beingCorrupted by Nazis

BUDDHISM

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama

• Born in 663 BCE in Nepal as a local prince

• Becomes disenchanted w/ worldly pleasures

• Explores Hindu beliefs and tries strict self-denial of the ascetics, but rejects this path

• Meditates under Bo Tree, faces temptations

• Transformed to the Buddha, “enlightened one”, 45 year ministry

Buddhist Beliefs

• Accept reincarnation, dharma, karma

• Reject worship of Hindu Gods

• Progress of soul depends on person’s deeds

• Four Noble Truths - Life is filled with suffering and sorrow; suffering caused by desire for life’s pleasures; end suffering by ending desire; follow 8 Fold Path

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

• Life is filled with suffering and sorrow;

• suffering caused by desire for life’s pleasures;

• end suffering by ending desire;

• follow 8 Fold Path

THE EIGHT FOLD PATH

• Right views• Right intentions• Right speech• Right Action• Right living• Right effort or work• Right mindfulness• Right meditation

• Goal is to achieve nirvana, not “heaven”, but perfect peace, release from suffering and pain

• Release from reincarnation• Opposed by powerful Brahmins• Buddhism declines in India but spreads East

and flourishes in China, Japan, Korea and SEA

• Monks, nuns,take vows of poverty, chastity

Tripitaka

• Collection of Buddhist Sacred Writings– Sermons of Buddha– Interpretation of Buddhist doctrine– Rules of monastic life

Buddhist Monks Play a Political Role

STUPAS

• Buddhist monuments• Contain relics • Mark the resting place

of an enlightened being

• Commemorate holy sites

• Mark the way for pilgrims

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SIKHISM

• 1500 CE Arose in Punjab

• Guru Nanak - “God’s Path” between Hindu and Muslim (arose in Hindu culture dominated by Muslim rulers)

• Monotheistic religion

• Holy Book - Guru Granth Sahib

• No caste or use of images in worship

• But belief in reincarnation

• Headquarters - Golden Temple in Amritsar

Guru Granth SahibThe Eternal Teacher

What Sikhs believe

• One God - shapeless timeless and omnipresent• Reincarnation until the soul is ready to unite with

God• Guidance of the “ten gurus”from Guru Nanak to

Guru Gobind Singh• Leading a moral and purposeful life• Defending their faith and protecting the community• Gender equality

GURU NANAK

Sikhism - Five K’s

• Readiness to defend a faith under attack• All begin with K in Punjabi• Uncut hair - symbol of strength, uplifted• Comb - orderliness• Dagger - defense (now symbolic)• Steel Bracelet - shield, shackled to God• Shorts - mobility

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