HINDUISM AND HINDUISM AND BUDDHISMBUDDHISM

What are the major characteristics of

Hinduism and Buddhism?

HINDUISMHINDUISM

PLACE/TIME PERIOD OF PLACE/TIME PERIOD OF ORIGINORIGIN

The exact place and time period that The exact place and time period that Hinduism was founded is not known. It Hinduism was founded is not known. It is believed that Hinduism may have is believed that Hinduism may have emerged somewhere near emerged somewhere near IndiaIndia, , possibly 5,000 years ago (around possibly 5,000 years ago (around 3,000 3,000 B.C.EB.C.E).).

Because of this approximateBecause of this approximate

date of origin, Hinduism isdate of origin, Hinduism is

considered the considered the oldestoldest

organized religion in theorganized religion in the

worldworld..

Monotheistic or Monotheistic or Polytheistic?Polytheistic?

Although there are multiple gods Although there are multiple gods in Hinduism, Hindus do not in Hinduism, Hindus do not consider themselves polytheistic.consider themselves polytheistic.

All Hindus gods are seen as a All Hindus gods are seen as a manifestation of 1 all- powerful manifestation of 1 all- powerful spirit known as spirit known as Brahman.Brahman.http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/august-22-2008/janmashtami/25/

(Krishna)(Krishna)

http://my.discoveryeducation.com/ Legend of GaneshaLegend of Ganesha

Brahma- Creator god

Shiva- Destroyer god

Vishnu- Preserver god

Major Beliefs of HinduismMajor Beliefs of Hinduism The ultimate goal of existence is to attain The ultimate goal of existence is to attain

union with Brahman (the all-powerful union with Brahman (the all-powerful universal spirit). This union with universal spirit). This union with Brahman is known as Brahman is known as MokshaMoksha..

Hindus believe Moksha takes multiple Hindus believe Moksha takes multiple lifetimes to attain.lifetimes to attain.

Hindus believe that after death a soul is Hindus believe that after death a soul is reborn into a new body. This rebirth of reborn into a new body. This rebirth of the soul is known as the soul is known as reincarnationreincarnation..

Hindus believe that each person has Hindus believe that each person has specific moral and religious duties in life. specific moral and religious duties in life. These duties are known as These duties are known as dharmadharma..

Hindus believe that how one acts upon Hindus believe that how one acts upon their duties influences how close they their duties influences how close they are to moksha in their next life. These are to moksha in their next life. These actions in life are known as actions in life are known as karmakarma..

Hindus also believe they must live their Hindus also believe they must live their lives according to a philosophy of lives according to a philosophy of nonviolence. This is known as nonviolence. This is known as ahimsaahimsa..

The The caste systemcaste system, the pattern of rigid, , the pattern of rigid, hereditary, social classes in Hinduism, hereditary, social classes in Hinduism, is no longer legal in India. Although is no longer legal in India. Although many Hindus living in India still follow many Hindus living in India still follow the guidelines of the caste system.the guidelines of the caste system.

There is no 1 single holy book in There is no 1 single holy book in Hinduism. Hindu holy books Hinduism. Hindu holy books include the include the Vedas, Vedas, Upanishads, and the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita.Bhagavad Gita.

BUDDHISMBUDDHISM

PLACE/TIME PERIOD OF PLACE/TIME PERIOD OF ORIGINORIGIN

Buddhism was founded in the mid 500’s Buddhism was founded in the mid 500’s B.C.E in northern India.B.C.E in northern India.

The religion is named for its founder, The religion is named for its founder, Siddhartha Gautama (who became Siddhartha Gautama (who became known as Buddha).known as Buddha).

Siddhartha was a prince from India. Siddhartha was a prince from India. Most of his life his mother and father Most of his life his mother and father kept him sheltered from the “evils” of kept him sheltered from the “evils” of the world. One day Siddhartha ventured the world. One day Siddhartha ventured outside the palace walls and saw human outside the palace walls and saw human suffering. suffering.

Discovery Education videoDiscovery Education video(Reincarnation, Enlightenment, and Dharma(Reincarnation, Enlightenment, and Dharma )

Monotheistic or Monotheistic or Polytheistic?Polytheistic?

Just as in Hinduism, Buddhists Just as in Hinduism, Buddhists believe in the all-powerful spirit believe in the all-powerful spirit known as known as Brahman.Brahman.

But unlike Hindus, Buddhists do But unlike Hindus, Buddhists do not represent Brahman with not represent Brahman with gods.gods.

He wondered why people He wondered why people suffered. suffered.

In order to find out, In order to find out, Siddhartha meditated Siddhartha meditated under a tree until he under a tree until he reached reached enlightenment enlightenment (understanding). When he (understanding). When he reached enlightenment he reached enlightenment he became known as Buddha became known as Buddha (“the enlightened one”).(“the enlightened one”).

Buddha then began to Buddha then began to spread his understanding spread his understanding of why humans suffer.of why humans suffer.

Buddhism quickly spread Buddhism quickly spread from India to China.from India to China.

Major Beliefs of BuddhismMajor Beliefs of Buddhism Just as in Hinduism, Buddhists believe Just as in Hinduism, Buddhists believe

the ultimate goal of existence is to the ultimate goal of existence is to attain union with Brahman (the all-attain union with Brahman (the all-powerful universal spirit). In powerful universal spirit). In Buddhism, this union with Brahman is Buddhism, this union with Brahman is known as known as NirvanaNirvana..

Buddhists also believe Nirvana takes Buddhists also believe Nirvana takes multiple lifetimes to attain.multiple lifetimes to attain.

Buddhists believe that after death a Buddhists believe that after death a soul is reborn into a new body. This soul is reborn into a new body. This rebirth of the soul is known as rebirth of the soul is known as reincarnationreincarnation..

Just as Hindus, Buddhists believe in Just as Hindus, Buddhists believe in dharma, karma, and ahimsadharma, karma, and ahimsa..

Unlike Hindus, Buddhists never Unlike Hindus, Buddhists never followed the guidelines of the caste followed the guidelines of the caste system.system.

Buddhism emphasizes meditation Buddhism emphasizes meditation and discipline in order to reach and discipline in order to reach enlightenment.enlightenment.

Holy books include the Holy books include the TripitakaTripitaka, , the compilation of Buddha’s the compilation of Buddha’s teachings.teachings.

Buddhists also believe the way to Buddhists also believe the way to reach enlightenment is to follow the reach enlightenment is to follow the 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold 4 Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.Path.

The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths

Sorrow and suffering are part of life.Sorrow and suffering are part of life. People suffer because they try to get People suffer because they try to get

things they cannot have.things they cannot have. The way to escape suffering is to The way to escape suffering is to

overcome these frustrating desires overcome these frustrating desires and reach a state of nirvana.and reach a state of nirvana.

To reach this state, you must follow To reach this state, you must follow the Eight-fold Path.the Eight-fold Path.

Eight-fold PathEight-fold Path Know the truthKnow the truth Say nothing to hurt othersSay nothing to hurt others Practice meditationPractice meditation Control your thoughtsControl your thoughts Resist evilResist evil Free your mind of evilFree your mind of evil Work for the good of othersWork for the good of others Respect lifeRespect life