Hinduism & BuddhismHinduism & Buddhism

Mr. DavisMr. Davis

Social Studies 7Social Studies 7

HinduismHinduism

India’s first major religionIndia’s first major religion Began before recorded historyBegan before recorded history Developed slowly over time—no Developed slowly over time—no

one person founded itone person founded it Most likely a blend of Aryan Most likely a blend of Aryan

religions and the religions of people religions and the religions of people they conquered (northern India)they conquered (northern India)

Early Practices of HinduismEarly Practices of Hinduism

Ritual bathingRitual bathing Lighting sacred (holy) firesLighting sacred (holy) fires Worshipping certain godsWorshipping certain gods

VedasVedas

Hinduism is based on the Hinduism is based on the Vedas. Vedas. The Vedas are a large collection of The Vedas are a large collection of sacred songs, poems, and teachings. sacred songs, poems, and teachings. Veda means “knowledge” in Sanskrit.Veda means “knowledge” in Sanskrit.

The Vedas are written in The Vedas are written in SanskritSanskrit, , the ancient language of India. the ancient language of India.

Vedic RitualsVedic Rituals

Vedic rituals honored the gods and over Vedic rituals honored the gods and over time became more and more complex.time became more and more complex.

In time, the In time, the BrahminsBrahmins became the became the highest class in India. The Brahmins highest class in India. The Brahmins were the high priests.were the high priests.

This idea of priests in the highest class This idea of priests in the highest class became known as Brahmanism—which became known as Brahmanism—which developed a social hierarchy of developed a social hierarchy of castes.castes.

The Caste SystemThe Caste System

Castes are social classes oh Hinduism. Castes are social classes oh Hinduism. There are originally four castes:There are originally four castes:

Brahmins Brahmins = high priests= high priests Kshatriyas Kshatriyas = rulers and warriors= rulers and warriors Vaishyas Vaishyas = herders and merchants = herders and merchants Shudras Shudras = servants= servants Each caste has a purposeEach caste has a purpose

UntouchablesUntouchables

In time, a fifth caste arose: In time, a fifth caste arose: The The Untouchables.Untouchables.

Untouchables have jobs that are Untouchables have jobs that are considered lowly or dirty (cleaning up considered lowly or dirty (cleaning up garbage, dead animals, etc.)garbage, dead animals, etc.)

Untouchables lived separate from Untouchables lived separate from other castes and were not allowed to other castes and were not allowed to enter temples.enter temples.

CastesCastes

You are born into a caste.You are born into a caste. You cannot move out of that You cannot move out of that

caste.caste. You must marry within that caste.You must marry within that caste.

BrahmanBrahman

Brahman is the Hindu name for Supreme Brahman is the Hindu name for Supreme Power.Power.

Only it lasts forever. Everything that ever Only it lasts forever. Everything that ever existed is a part of it. existed is a part of it.

Everything with a beginning and an end is Everything with a beginning and an end is cyclical (TIME MOVES IN A CIRCLE)—cyclical (TIME MOVES IN A CIRCLE)—always changing, being born, dying, etc.always changing, being born, dying, etc.

Brahman is always creating, changing, Brahman is always creating, changing, growing, destroying…growing, destroying…

More Hindu FactsMore Hindu Facts

One part of Brahman is the One part of Brahman is the atman, atman, or or human soul—which can last over human soul—which can last over multiple lifetimesmultiple lifetimes

Hindu temples are built to ancient Hindu temples are built to ancient specifications. For example, they all specifications. For example, they all face the same direction.face the same direction.

Visitors to these temples sit quietly Visitors to these temples sit quietly and meditate—give thanks, make and meditate—give thanks, make requests, take part in rituals.requests, take part in rituals.

IndraIndra

In ancient times, INDRA was the In ancient times, INDRA was the most powerful god to Hindus.most powerful god to Hindus.

He was the god of thunder.He was the god of thunder. His weapon was a lightning bolt and His weapon was a lightning bolt and

he rode around in a golden chariot or he rode around in a golden chariot or on a white elephant.on a white elephant.

Multiple GodsMultiple Gods

Hinduism has THREE main gods:Hinduism has THREE main gods: Brahma Brahma The CreatorThe Creator Vishnu Vishnu The PreserverThe Preserver Shiva Shiva The DestroyerThe Destroyer Many stories of Hindu gods involve battles Many stories of Hindu gods involve battles

of these gods defeating evil spirits or of these gods defeating evil spirits or demons.demons.

DeviDevi is another important god—embodies is another important god—embodies all female powers of the universe.all female powers of the universe.

RamayanaRamayana

Famous story of the gods battling Famous story of the gods battling evilevil

Rama’s fierce battle with Ravana (an Rama’s fierce battle with Ravana (an evil spirit or demon).evil spirit or demon).

Divali & DharmaDivali & Dharma

Hindu New Year is called “Divali.” It is Hindu New Year is called “Divali.” It is celebrated by lighting candles and celebrated by lighting candles and sparklers.sparklers.

Belief in Belief in dharmadharma—the ideas of law, —the ideas of law, order, and obligation.order, and obligation.

VARNA DHARMA = System of social VARNA DHARMA = System of social classes—”The way of one’s kind”classes—”The way of one’s kind”

Dharma beliefs: marriage, sharing Dharma beliefs: marriage, sharing food, care for the soul, nonviolencefood, care for the soul, nonviolence

The CowThe Cow

The cow is the most sacred animal to The cow is the most sacred animal to Hindus. Hindus.

They are especially important to life in India.They are especially important to life in India. They give milk and butter, are used for They give milk and butter, are used for

transportation, and after they died their transportation, and after they died their skins could be used for clothing.skins could be used for clothing.

Hindus are taught never to harm them. Hindus are taught never to harm them. They are not to kill cows even if people are They are not to kill cows even if people are starving.starving.

KarmaKarma

Karma Karma is what happens to the is what happens to the soul when you die.soul when you die.

Reincarnation of the soul—as a Reincarnation of the soul—as a reward or a punishment for the reward or a punishment for the previous life that was lived on previous life that was lived on Earth.Earth.

Modern idea: “What goes around, Modern idea: “What goes around, comes around.”comes around.”

KarmaKarma

GOOD LIFE = rebirth into a higher GOOD LIFE = rebirth into a higher classclass

BAD LIFE = rebirth into a lower class BAD LIFE = rebirth into a lower class or even as an animalor even as an animal

This is fair because souls are This is fair because souls are rewarded or punished for the good or rewarded or punished for the good or evil they have done.evil they have done.

Much criticism over caste system in Much criticism over caste system in recent years.recent years.

Karma and the castes todayKarma and the castes today

Gandhi said the untouchables are Gandhi said the untouchables are “children of God.”“children of God.”

Today, Indian law protects all people Today, Indian law protects all people and the caste system is less strict.and the caste system is less strict.

SamsaraSamsara

Hindu cycle of life, death, and rebirth.Hindu cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Once a soul unites with Brahman, Once a soul unites with Brahman,

Samsara ends.Samsara ends. REINCARNATION = the belief that a REINCARNATION = the belief that a

person’s soul is reborn into another person’s soul is reborn into another body after death.body after death.

By following the Hindu belief system, a By following the Hindu belief system, a person can break this cycle of rebirthperson can break this cycle of rebirth

PilgrimagesPilgrimages

Pilgrimages Pilgrimages (holy trips) to the (holy trips) to the Ganges and Sarasvarti Rivers. Ganges and Sarasvarti Rivers. Hindus believe these difficult trips Hindus believe these difficult trips will cleanse them of their sins.will cleanse them of their sins.

Many travel over difficult land for Many travel over difficult land for many days. They lie face down at many days. They lie face down at holy sites, or bathe in the Ganges holy sites, or bathe in the Ganges River to purify themselves.River to purify themselves.

Hindu monks: SannyasinsHindu monks: Sannyasins

MeditationMeditation Perform breathing exercisesPerform breathing exercises Recite prayersRecite prayers Sing sacred songsSing sacred songs Yoga = a type of Hindu meditation!Yoga = a type of Hindu meditation!

BuddhismBuddhism

The Life of Prince The Life of Prince SiddharthaSiddhartha

Prince Siddhartha was Prince Siddhartha was born about 563 BC in born about 563 BC in Northern IndiaNorthern India

His parents were His parents were powerful rulers.powerful rulers.

When his mom was When his mom was pregnant with him, she pregnant with him, she had a dream where she had a dream where she was flown to the top of was flown to the top of the Himalayas and struck the Himalayas and struck by a six-tusked elephant.by a six-tusked elephant.

Brahmins said the child Brahmins said the child would grow up to be a would grow up to be a “great man.”“great man.”

Three Forms of SufferingThree Forms of Suffering

Aging = Aging = the body weakens as we the body weakens as we get olderget older

Sickness = Sickness = illness brings painillness brings pain Death = Death = comes to all sometimecomes to all sometime Siddhartha was made aware of these Siddhartha was made aware of these

things at an early agethings at an early age

AsceticsAscetics

One day, Siddhartha met an One day, Siddhartha met an asceticascetic—a person who gives up worldly —a person who gives up worldly pleasures.pleasures.

In order to be free from suffering, In order to be free from suffering, one must give up the pleasures and one must give up the pleasures and comforts of the world.comforts of the world.

Siddhartha becomes an Siddhartha becomes an AsceticAscetic

Prince Siddhartha wanted to find Prince Siddhartha wanted to find Enlightenment.Enlightenment.

He went into the middle of the forest, He went into the middle of the forest, got rid of all of his royal possessions, got rid of all of his royal possessions, cut his hair, and kept a small bowl for cut his hair, and kept a small bowl for alms, alms, or food given to the poor.or food given to the poor.

Ascetics deny the body of basic Ascetics deny the body of basic needs: sleep, shelter, and food.needs: sleep, shelter, and food.

Unable to become Unable to become EnlightenedEnlightened

Siddhartha learned that self-denial Siddhartha learned that self-denial did not lead to Enlightenment.did not lead to Enlightenment.

Sought a “middle path” to Sought a “middle path” to Enlightenment.Enlightenment.

The Middle PathThe Middle Path

Siddhartha sat under the Bodhi tree Siddhartha sat under the Bodhi tree (Enlightenment tree)(Enlightenment tree)

While meditating, he was tempted by While meditating, he was tempted by the evil goddess Mara and her three the evil goddess Mara and her three daughters: Discontent, Delight, and daughters: Discontent, Delight, and Desire. He rejected all of them.Desire. He rejected all of them.

NirvanaNirvana

The ideal state of happinessThe ideal state of happiness Siddhartha became aware of the Siddhartha became aware of the

cycles of birth, death, and rebirth—cycles of birth, death, and rebirth—reincarnation, and karma.reincarnation, and karma.

When he awakened, he became When he awakened, he became BuddhaBuddha, the Enlightened One., the Enlightened One.

Buddha’s Teachings: The 4 Buddha’s Teachings: The 4 Noble TruthsNoble Truths

1. Suffering is present in all things—1. Suffering is present in all things—nothing lasts forever.nothing lasts forever.

2. Suffering is caused by cravings.2. Suffering is caused by cravings. 3. The way to end suffering is to give 3. The way to end suffering is to give

up all cravings.up all cravings. 4. The way to give up cravings is the 4. The way to give up cravings is the

Eightfold Path.Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

1 – RIGHT UNDERSTANDING 1 – RIGHT UNDERSTANDING develop a deep understanding of the develop a deep understanding of the 4 Noble Truths4 Noble Truths

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

2 – RIGHT PURPOSE 2 – RIGHT PURPOSE live a life of live a life of selflessness, love, and nonviolence selflessness, love, and nonviolence

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

3 – RIGHT SPEECH 3 – RIGHT SPEECH Be careful and Be careful and truthful in what you say. Don’t lie or truthful in what you say. Don’t lie or gossip.gossip.

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

4 – RIGHT ACTION 4 – RIGHT ACTION Don’t kill, steal, Don’t kill, steal, or lie. Be honest.or lie. Be honest.

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

5 – RIGHT WAY TO EARN A LIVING 5 – RIGHT WAY TO EARN A LIVING Don’t work a job that causes harm to Don’t work a job that causes harm to people or living creatures.people or living creatures.

The Eightfold Path:The Eightfold Path:

6 – RIGHT EFFORT 6 – RIGHT EFFORT Promote good Promote good and prevent eviland prevent evil

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

7 – RIGHT MINDFULNESS 7 – RIGHT MINDFULNESS Be aware Be aware of, but not attached to, emotions, of, but not attached to, emotions, thoughts, and feelings.thoughts, and feelings.

The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path

8 – RIGHT CONCENTRATION 8 – RIGHT CONCENTRATION Focus Focus your mind with practices such as your mind with practices such as meditation.meditation.