Hinduism and Buddhism Develop

On the Indian Subcontinent

How did Hinduism Evolve?

No specific founder Vedic hymns interpreted = Upanishads (750-

550 BCE) Caste system/varna: determines every

aspect of an individual life (dharma)• Atman+ Brahman= moshka

• Karma determines reincarnation Faith demanded that people accept their life Protest religions: Jainism and Buddhism

Brahma: The Creator

Vishnu: The Protector

Shiva: The

Destroyer

The Hindu Caste SystemVarnas:

Priests

Warriors, PoliceMerchants

Farmers,

Peasants, Servants

The Untouchables

Siddhartha/Buddha

Lived as a prince and a beggar

The Development of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama- Great Ruler or Spiritual Leader?

Buddha preached a path to Enlightenment to break the cycle of reincarnation and reach nirvana, a release from selfishness and pain

The Four Noble Truths

Life is filled with suffering and sorrow The cause of this suffering is selfish desire for

the temporary pleasures of this world In order to end suffering, one must end desire To overcome desire, you follow the Eightfold

Path ( the middle way between desire and self-denial)

Impact of Buddhism

Rejection of caste system appealed to the poor

Monastic spread Spread in Asia through trade and

missionary outreach absorbed by Hinduism in India Pilgrimage sites and stupas

Bodhgaya, India

A giant Buddha statue in Bamyan, Afghanistan, erected in the 6th century C.E.

Destroyed by the Taliban in 2001

Buddha at Sukhotai, Thailand

Chinese Buddha

Symbols in the images Long earlobes= Buddha

hears everything, wore big earrings

The Buddha's bump symbolizes wisdom.

A dot on the forehead represents the all seeing eye

The fingers are long, slender, and usually finely webbed to indicate that the Buddha can "catch" people, similar to the Christian idea of Jesus the fisherman. Also less likely to break,

Halo representation of light emanates from the Buddha, usually circles the whole body

This mudra shows fearlessness, protection and peace

right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward.

Shows that the hand is empty of weapons and thus indicating friendship and peace.

To western eyes, it looks like the gesture meaning "stop.“

Bhumisparsha (Earth Witness) Mudra

Symbol of Enlightenment when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness

symbolizes the union of method and wisdom

Dharmachakra (Wheel-Turning) Mudra

symbolizes the occasion when he preached to his companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment, setting into motion the Wheel of teaching.