Mark UpBuddhism, Shintoism, the

Philosophy of Confucianism, & Hinduism

Buddhism

Origins Founder:•Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

Date: •520 BCE

Believers Approximate # of followers: •360 million Followers are called: •Buddhists Founded in India

Monks & the Dalai Lamma

ViewsGods:

• no real ‘gods’.

What do they Believe:

• Buddha taught about suffering. People suffer because of desire or wanting.

Life’s Purpose •Purpose is to avoid suffering & gain enlightenment to be released from the cycle of rebirth, or attain a better rebirth.•A life of moderation

Afterlife•Reincarnation until they gain enlightenment•Nirvana- reaching enlightenment & escaping the cycle.

General Practices •Meditation, mantras, dharma wheels, shrines for prayers and devotion. •Following The Middle Path & The 4 Noble Truths, Noble 8 Fold Path

Holy Texts

•Tripitika

•Sutras- Buddha’s sayings

Shintoism

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQqxdAbRS0

Shintoism

OriginsFounder: •No specific person; indigenous religion•Founded in Japan

Date: •Ancient; 6th Century BCE (500s)

Believers

Approximate # of followers: •3-4 million

Followers are called: •Shinto

ViewsGod(s):

•The Kami; polytheistic • EX: Amaterasu- Sun

Goddess What do they believe:• humans are generally

good. Evil spirits cause negativity.

Life’s Purpose

•Be in touch with Kami

•Human’s are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the Kami.

Afterlife

•Death is bad & impure. Humans become Kami after death.

General Practices Worship & offerings to Kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals and celebrations

Holy Texts

•Kojiki / Nihongi

Confucianism

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUhGRh4vdb8

Confucianism

•Is not a religion, but a philosophy.

•Founded in China

OriginsFounder: •Confucius

Date: •551 BCE

Believers

Approximate # of followers: •5-6 million

Followers are called: •Confucianists

ViewsGods: •No gods What do they believe:•It’s more a philosophy of how to live•Obey & honor parents

Afterlife

•Not addressed

What is Important? •Ceremonies & rituals are important•Honesty, politeness humaneness, perform correct role in society, loyalty to family & nation.•Purpose of life is to fulfill one’s role in society with propriety, honor & loyalty

Holy Text The Analects- a

collection of Confucius’ sayings

Hinduism

Origins Founder

• unknown

Date

•Ancient, oldest in the world

BelieversApproximate # of Followers

•1.1 billion

Followers are called

•Hindus

•Mohandas Gandhi

ViewsGod(s):•One Supreme (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses•Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha

What do they believe:•Beliefs vary depending on caste system, etc.

Life’s Purpose

•Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth from doing good things, honoring brahman, having good karma.

Afterlife Reincarnation until release-Samsara- Effected by Karma- Moksha: freedom from the cycle.

General Practices

• Yoga, meditation, worship (puja), devotion to a god or goddess, pilgrimage to holy cities & rivers, live according to one's dharma (purpose/ role).

• Diwali, Holi

Holy Text

The Vedas