HINDUISMHINDUISM

The background of HinduismThe background of Hinduism

Began in IndiaBegan in India Invading Aryans brought new ways in BC’sInvading Aryans brought new ways in BC’s Ideas of rigid social classes and concepts of Ideas of rigid social classes and concepts of

good and evil good and evil Two epics—the Two epics—the Mahabharata Mahabharata

---the ---the RamayanaRamayana Holy works were called “Vedas”Holy works were called “Vedas”

Some basic beliefsSome basic beliefs

A universal spirit present in all life A universal spirit present in all life Self-denial (fasting/yoga) help achieve union with Self-denial (fasting/yoga) help achieve union with

universal spirituniversal spirit Reincarnation= rebirth of the soul Reincarnation= rebirth of the soul (only after several lifetimes can soul achieve union (only after several lifetimes can soul achieve union

with universal spirit)with universal spirit) Karma= principle which says how a person lives Karma= principle which says how a person lives

his/her life determines the form he will return in his/her life determines the form he will return in Goal is spiritual perfection= release from Goal is spiritual perfection= release from

pain/suffering of rebirth after rebirthpain/suffering of rebirth after rebirth

Written symbol of sacred word

Ohm

Hindu deities (gods)Hindu deities (gods)

100’s of deities but some believe all have one 100’s of deities but some believe all have one universal spirit= brahmanuniversal spirit= brahman

Main deities center around 3Main deities center around 3

1.1. Vishnu= preserver of universeVishnu= preserver of universe

2.2. Shiva= destroyer of universeShiva= destroyer of universe

3.3. Shakti= goddess; sometimes of Shakti= goddess; sometimes of destruction sometimes the love of other destruction sometimes the love of other gods (known by many names)gods (known by many names)

VishnuVishnu

Preserver of universe

ShivaShiva

Destroyer of universe

ShaktiShakti

Goddess of many names

AnimalsAnimals

Believe animals have souls tooBelieve animals have souls too

Some worship gods in form of animalsSome worship gods in form of animals

--monkeys, snakes--monkeys, snakes

Cows are revered because of the gifts (like Cows are revered because of the gifts (like milk) they provide for peoplemilk) they provide for people

WorshipWorship

Usually done as individuals or families in homeUsually done as individuals or families in home Most homes have shrinesMost homes have shrines Sometimes done in temples filled with many Sometimes done in temples filled with many

shrinesshrines Each temple portrays a form of the central deityEach temple portrays a form of the central deity Priests invite deity to reside in the image, thus Priests invite deity to reside in the image, thus

bring food and wash, dress itbring food and wash, dress it Annual festivals commemorate events in lives of Annual festivals commemorate events in lives of

deities deities

BUDDHISMBUDDHISM

The background of BuddhismThe background of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama= founder of Siddhartha Gautama= founder of Born in 566BC, raised with wealthBorn in 566BC, raised with wealth Left family to search for way to end people’s Left family to search for way to end people’s

sufferingsuffering Hermit life for 7 years (fasting/self-denial)Hermit life for 7 years (fasting/self-denial) Gained a flash of insight and began to share Gained a flash of insight and began to share

his knowledge with othershis knowledge with others ‘‘Enlightened One’Enlightened One’

Buddha’s 4 Noble TruthsBuddha’s 4 Noble Truths

1.1. All people suffer and know sorrowAll people suffer and know sorrow2.2. All people suffer due to desires that bind All people suffer due to desires that bind

them to cycle of rebirththem to cycle of rebirth3.3. People can end suffering by eliminating People can end suffering by eliminating

their desirestheir desires4.4. To eliminate desires people can follow the To eliminate desires people can follow the

Eightfold Path Eightfold Path ***by following this path people could ***by following this path people could

achieve Nirvana (freedom from rebirth)achieve Nirvana (freedom from rebirth)

After Buddha’s deathAfter Buddha’s death

Disciples carried religion to rest of AsiaDisciples carried religion to rest of Asia Some followers see Buddha as a teacherSome followers see Buddha as a teacher Other followers see Buddha as a divine Other followers see Buddha as a divine

being and saviorbeing and savior Followers collected teachings into a set of Followers collected teachings into a set of

texts translated as the “Three Baskets”texts translated as the “Three Baskets” Mostly monks carry the beliefs to followers Mostly monks carry the beliefs to followers

and practice simplicity, meditation and studyand practice simplicity, meditation and study

Schools of Buddhism

Picture creditsPicture credits

HinduismHinduism Grc.k12.nf.caGrc.k12.nf.ca Mnsu.eduMnsu.edu Hindudharma.comHindudharma.com Medway.gov.ukMedway.gov.uk Ackland.orgAckland.org nationalgeographic,.comnationalgeographic,.com Adishakti.orgAdishakti.org Abagond.wordpress.comAbagond.wordpress.com Nexusnovel.files.wordpress.comNexusnovel.files.wordpress.com Dollsofindia.comDollsofindia.com Exoticindiaart.comExoticindiaart.com

BuddhismBuddhism Ccds.charlotte.nc.usCcds.charlotte.nc.us Sundaytimes.lkSundaytimes.lk Purelandbuddism.comPurelandbuddism.com Ww2.kenyon.eduWw2.kenyon.edu Presscluboftibet.orgPresscluboftibet.org