HINDUISM, JAINISM, BUDDHISMClassical Indian Religion

HINDUISM – BASIC CONCEPTSOne of the oldest religions – 1500 BCEBegan in IndiaSanskrit writings of the Vedic religion

Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism

Encourages tolerance and diversity “Truth is one, paths are many”

HINDU TERMS Brahman – One impersonal ultimate reality. Manifests itself as many personal deities

Atman – the soul, Brahma trapped in matterSamsara – reincarnation; the atman is continually born into this world, lifetime after lifetime

Karma – spiritual impurity due to bad actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad karma)

Moksha – the ultimate goal in life- release the Atman (soul), and reunite with the divine, become one with Brahman

Vedas – truth; myths, rituals, chants

MAJOR GODS OF THE HINDU PANTHEONBrahma – the creator god, many manifestations

Vishnu – the preserver god

Shiva – god of destruction

HINDU SPIRITUAL PRATICESYoga – seeking union with the divine

Vegetarian – respect for all life

HINDU CASTE SYSTEMHindu life is supremeFour stations in life:

Priests and religious teachers (Brahmin)Nobles, leaders, warriors (Kshatriyas)Merchant class (Vaisyas)Servant, farmer class (Sudra)

Reforms to Hinduism allow Moksha to be achieved by properly performing your life duties in any caste

KARMA AND DHARMAKarma – your deeds and actions determine reincarnation

Dharma – one’s obligations, duties, callings

*Both exist in Buddhism as well, except Dharma in Buddhism are the teaching of Buddha, the ultimate truth.

JAINISMIndian religion of non-violence towards all living beings

Everything has a soulReject social hierarchyAscetic (frugal)

BUDDHISM BASICSSiddhartha Gautama born as prince in Northeast India (modern-day Nepal)

At 29, he rejected luxury and sought enlightenment and the source of sufferingLived a strict, frugal life for 6 yearsSat in meditation and found nirvana

Became “The Enlightened One” at 35

FOUR PASSING SIGHTSThere he saw the four sights that were his inspirationAn old crippled man (old age)A diseased man (illness)A decaying corpse (death)An ascetic (frugal monks)

MORE BUDDHISMWhat is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire!

Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself.

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHSThere is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer.

The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachment

The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments

To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold path

EIGHTFOLD PATH

EIGHTFOLD PATHIf you follow the Eightfold Path, you will reach Nirvana

The union with the ultimate spiritual reality, escape from the cycle of rebirth

REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BUDDHAImages can be worshippedHe is often seated in meditationHand is out, appealing for peace or setting the wheel in motion

Pot Bellied / Laughing Buddha (Budai) – not the BuddhaDeity of Chinese folkloreChinese Buddhist monk

TYPES OF BUDDHISMTherevada Buddhism

Philosophy The oldest school of Buddhism Found in Southern asia Goal: become a “Buddha” or “Enlightened One”

Mahayana Buddhism Religion – worship Buddha as a god Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan) Buddhism “for the masses” Goal: individual escape from reincarnation and the salvation of all humanity

GROWTH OF BUDDHISM