Hinduism/Buddhism Study Guide Hinduism:

brahman: the single spiritual power (or spiritual force) in Hinduism; all Hindu gods are representations of this force.

Brahmin: highest rank in caste system

caste system: social groups into which people are born and can rarely be changed; unequal ranking of people found in India, especially in rural areas.

Dalit: lowest level of the caste system (considered subcaste); it is against the Indian constitution to discriminate on basis of caste.

Dharma: religious and moral duties

moksha: what all Hindus want to achieve: union with brahman; escape cycle of rebirth (like nirvana for Buddhists)

the Vedas: collection of Hindu hymns and religious instructions

veneration of cattle: cows are sacred in India and are highly respected; allowed to wander

karma: a person’s actions affects a person’s fate in the next life; people who act correctly are reborn closer to moksha (Hinduism) or are closer to reaching nirvana (Buddhism)

reincarnation: belief in birth, death and rebirth; it allows people to continue working toward moksha (Hinduism) or nirvana (Buddhism)

Current Event:

the fiscal cliff: sharp decrease in gov’t spending and increase in taxes that will go into effect after Jan. 1.

the U.S. deficit: amount of $ the U.S. overspends each year.

the U.S. debt: total money owed by the U.S. gov’t – total owed on all deficits combined.

Buddhism:

bodhisattva: one who has reached enlightenment and could live in nirvana, but has chosen instead to remain on earth to help others reach nirvana.

compassion: sorrow for suffering of others w/ desire to help; key concept in Buddhism

the Dalai Lama: a bodhisattva who has been reincarnated 13 times; he is the religious leader of Tibet.

the Four Noble Truths: explains life as suffering and gives ways to cure it.

impermanence: key concept in Buddhism that nothing in life is permanent; acceptance of impermanence allows us to cope more easily with change and tragedy.

mandala: sand painting used for religious purposes; provides purification and healing.

mudras: hand gestures which symbolize attributes (traits & characteristics).

nirvana: union w/ the universe and release from cycle of rebirth; what all Buddhists want to achieve (like moksha for Hindus)

Siddhartha Gautama: a Hindu prince who left his palace to find out what causes suffering in life; discovered that suffering is caused by wanting/desire; became the “Enlightened One,” or the Buddha

Tibet & China & India (role in Tibetan Buddhism):

Tibet = homeland of Dalai Lama and of Tibetan Buddhism

China = invaded Tibet in 1949 India = gave Dalai Lama and his Tibetan

Buddhist followers permanent refuge; they now live in exile in northern India.

Docs to review:

Sec 3-2 Checkpoint Qs & Defs The Caste System reading Understanding World Religions WSs (Hinduism & Buddhism) Lost Civilizations: Tibet video WS CE on The Fiscal Cliff