Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism Evolves Over Centuries

� No one founder

Origins and Beliefs

� Hindu teachers wrote down the interpretations of the Vedic hymns and they became known as the Upanishads¡ Discuss how to reach

moksha.� Distinguishes between

the self (atman/soul) and god (Brahman/universal soul)

Origins and Beliefs Continued

� Understanding between these two concepts takes many lifetimes so one is reincarnated� Atmans karma follows during the

reincarnations

Hinduism Changes and Develops

� Brahman is made up of three:

� Brahma (the creator)� Vishnu (the

protector)¡ Takes many different

forms: Krishna, Rama� Shiva (the destroyer)

Hinduism Changes and Develops Continued

� Hindus free to choose the deity

� Choose among three different paths for achieving moksha

Hinduism and Society

� Caste system strengthens, see page 67 about good karma/bad karma¡ Determines what one

can eat, way it can be eaten, dress, talk to, etc.

� Only men in top three varnas can achieve moksha

New Religions Arise

� Questions about the Upanishads led to two new religions…what are they?

Jainism

� Mahavira founder� Everything has a soul

and not to be harmed� Make up the wealthiest

area in India

The Buddha Seeks Enlightenment

l Siddhartha Gautama founder

l Born a prince…discuss

Before Siddartha Gotama's birth, his mother dreamt of a white elephant presenting her with a lotus flower

Siddhartha’s Quest

l Saw four sights – what were they?l Left palace, traveled for 6 years seeking

enlightenmentl Studiedl Became an aestheticl Meditated under a bodhi treel Became enlightened (Buddha)

Origins and Beliefs

l Preached his beliefs to five companions – they formed the first Sangha

l Taught his four noble truths and eightfold path

l Following the eightfold path (middle way) can lead to nirvana

Similarities and Differences Between Hindus and Buddhism

l Reincarnation l Many gods l caste systeml Final goal: mokshal Hindu scripture

written in Sanskrit only followed by the priests and scholars

l Reincarnationl Enlightenmentl No caste systeml Final goal: nirvanal Buddha spoke in

vernacular language

Buddhism and Society

l Early followers were laborers and craftspeople along with women

l During the raining seasons, Buddhist teachers would retreat to the hillsides.

l Permanent monasteries developed

Buddhism in India

l Hinduism may have absorbed Buddhism.l Buddha became to be known as an

incarnation of Vishnu so people didn’t feel the need to convert.

l Buddhists still pilgrim to India to visit Kapilavastu (birthplace), Gaya (fig tree) Varansasi (first sermon)

l Stupas visited…what are they?