Hinduism and Buddhism

Backgroundfor

Siddhartha

Hinduism and BuddhismHinduism

Emerged in India 2000-1500 B.C.One of the World’s oldest living religionsNo individual founderNo “bible” but several religious texts

Rig Veda: oldest—hymns, rituals, etc. Polytheistic Upanishads: newer—philosophical—monotheistic

Structure of Hindu Society/Caste System (4 Castes)Brahmans = PriestsKshatriyas = WarriorsVaisyas = MerchantsShudras = Laborers(Castes are a religious hierarchy, not an economic one)

Two Classes “Outside” Caste SystemSadhus [samanas]/wandering monksUntouchables

Some Essential Concepts of Hinduism:ReincarnationKarma = good deeds/bad deeds that determine rebirth

Maya = illusion (the earth often represented Maya)

Samsara = the false world itself/the product of illusion

Yoga = the process of meditationYogi = spiritual teacher/adviserAtman = the individual soul/the divine part of a person

Brahman = the universal soul (the divine/God)

Enlightenment/liberation = the realization that Atman and Brahman are identical

Reform: Buddhism began as a reform to HinduismBuddha did not believe in the Caste System or in many

of the traditions of Hinduism

Buddha (c. 563-483 B.C.)Named Shakyamuni (known as Siddhartha Gotama)He was a princeRecognized at birth as special by wise men. They

believed he would be a special monk or great conquerer

The Four Sights - at 29 he left the palace and saw:A sick manAn old manA dead manA monk

What could this mean?

Wandering – He decided to leave the palace and seek the truth for himself. He tried to follow these methods to attain truth/enlightenment:Dharma—doing one’s duty to family, etc.Kama—pleasure, especially sexualArtha – Wealth, money, material possessions

Moksha—Liberation/RetirementAttainment – Nothing worked. Finally,

desperate for meaning, he sat under the bodhi (bo) tree and inteneded not to arise until he attained enlightenment or else died. He became enlightened and proceeded to teach “4 noble truths”:

Life is sufferingThe cause of suffering is desire/selfishnessSuffering can be stoppedThe way to end suffering is to follow the

eight-fold path of Buddhism—Basically the “middle-way”; avoid excess

Theory of Dependent Origination at heart of BuddhismEverything is caused by something else

(cause/effect)Nothing exists on its ownNothing is permanent or unchangeableEverything can be changed