Comparing Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism: History Hinduism: History

• No historical founder

• Roots in India

• Vedas (sacred texts)

Hinduism: History Hinduism: History

• Sacrifices

• Offerings

• Reincarnation

Hinduism: History Hinduism: History

• Ramayana focuses on Vishnu

• Mahabharata focuses on Krishna

• Bhagavad Gita

Hinduism: Key ConceptsHinduism: Key Concepts

• Henotheistic (worship many gods)

• Primary deities: Shiva, Vishnu, Devi

• Determined by family or region of India

Hinduism: Key ConceptsHinduism: Key Concepts

• Atman (soul)

• Samsara (cycle of birth, death, and rebirth)

• Karma (experiencing the effects of your actions in this life, in your next life)

• Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth)

Hinduism: Key ConceptsHinduism: Key Concepts

• Worship at home, shrines, temples

Hinduism: Key ConceptsHinduism: Key Concepts

• Many festivals

• Examples: Holi, Diwali

Hinduism: Geography Hinduism: Geography

• India is a sacred land

• Temples

Hinduism: Contemporary IssuesHinduism: Contemporary Issues

• Caste system

• Social change

• Rural India

THE FOUR SIGHTS: A very old man A sick person A dead body

A beggar

• Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

Buddhism: History

Buddhism: History

Buddhism: History Buddhism: History

• Enlightenment

• “Middle Path”

• Taught the way to enlightenment

Buddhism: Key Concepts Buddhism: Key Concepts

• Four Noble Truths:– Life involves suffering– Suffering originates in

our desires– Suffering will cease if all

desires cease– There is a way to cease all

desire: the Eightfold Path

Buddhism: Key Concepts Buddhism: Key Concepts

TRIVIA FACT“Buddha” is technically a title(not a name) that means“the enlightened one”

• The Eightfold Path

• Path results in nirvana

Buddhism: GeographyBuddhism: Geography

Buddhism: GeographyBuddhism: Geography

• Theravada (“Way of the Elders”)

• Southeast Asia

• Mahayana (“Great Vehicle”)

• Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Japan

• Originated in India

• Spread to Tibet

• Meditative practices, compassionate living, and advanced mystical practices

Buddhism: GeographyBuddhism: Geography

Buddhism: Contemporary Issues Buddhism: Contemporary Issues

• Dalai Lama, best known

• Lives in the Himalayan Mountains

• Travels widely

Buddhism: Contemporary IssuesBuddhism: Contemporary Issues

• Act on meditation

• Worked with Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Engaged Buddhists