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