RELIGIONS OF ANCIENT RELIGIONS OF ANCIENT INDIAINDIA

HINDUISM

Also known as “Sanatana Dharma”

Roots in the Indus Valley

Influenced by “Aryan” Indo-European tribes

Tolerance of other religions“The truth is One, but different sages call it by different names”

Dominant religion pre and post Mogul ruleCurrently 80% of Indians are Hindu

SACRED TEXTS

Mahabharata Epic

Credited to the sage Vyasha

Contains the Bhagavad Gita(Divine Song)

Vedas Texts – Contain hymns, incantations, and rituals

Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda

Structure

Polytheistic or Monotheistic?Belief in one supreme being, but recognizes other gods as facets, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme being.

Brahma- CreatorVishnu (Krishna)- The

preserver, appears in one of

ten incarnations

Shiva- The Destroyer

Core Beliefs

Samsara – Transmigration of the soul (Reincarnation)KARMA- actions in life will determine the conditions of your next life

Four aims of HinduismDharma- Righteousness in religious lifeArtha- success in economic lifeKama- gratification of the sensesMaksa- liberation from samsara

BUDDHISMBUDDHISM

► FounderFounder – Sadartha Guatama (Buddha) – Sadartha Guatama (Buddha) Hindu prince who sought enlightenmentHindu prince who sought enlightenment

► Belief that everything is imperfect and Belief that everything is imperfect and nothing lastsnothing lasts

► Enlightenment holds the answerEnlightenment holds the answer► SamsaraSamsara-Continual cycle of birth, old age, -Continual cycle of birth, old age,

illness, death, and rebirth (Suffering)illness, death, and rebirth (Suffering)► NirvanaNirvana (Enlightenment) is the only way to (Enlightenment) is the only way to

end the cycleend the cycle► No sacred text, all traditions are passed orallyNo sacred text, all traditions are passed orally

The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths

1.1. DukkhaDukkha: Existence is a realm of : Existence is a realm of sufferingsuffering

2.2. SamudayaSamudaya: Desire is the cause for : Desire is the cause for sufferingsuffering

3.3. NirodhaNirodha: Achievement of Nirvana : Achievement of Nirvana (Enlightenment) ends suffering(Enlightenment) ends suffering

4.4. MaggaMagga: To end suffering you must : To end suffering you must follow the Eightfold pathfollow the Eightfold path

Eightfold PathEightfold Path

Panna: Discernment, WisdomPanna: Discernment, Wisdom1. 1. Samma DitthiSamma Ditthi – Right Understanding – Right Understanding2. 2. Samma SankappaSamma Sankappa – Right Thinking – Right Thinking

Sila: Virtue, MoralitySila: Virtue, Morality3. 3. Samma VacaSamma Vaca – Right Speech – Right Speech4. 4. Samma KammantaSamma Kammanta – Right Conduct – Right Conduct5. 5. Samma AnjivaSamma Anjiva – Right Livlihood – Right Livlihood

Samadhi: Samadhi: 6. 6. Samma VayamaSamma Vayama – Right Effort – Right Effort7. 7. Samma SatiSamma Sati – Right Mindfulness – Right Mindfulness8. 8. Samma SamadhiSamma Samadhi – Right Concentration – Right Concentration

Sacred PlacesSacred Places

►Lumbini – Sadartha Guatama’s Lumbini – Sadartha Guatama’s birthplacebirthplace

►Bodh Gaya – Place of enlightenmentBodh Gaya – Place of enlightenment►Sarnath – Place of his first discourseSarnath – Place of his first discourse►Kushinara – Place of his deathKushinara – Place of his death

ISLAM ISLAM

• Belief in one God—Allah– Allah is all wise and knowing– Creator of all things

• Allah has sent prophets to Earth– This is the only way that humans can know of

Allah– The Prophet Muhammad

• Received the Qur’an

Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam

1. The Shahadah - the Declaration of Faith1. Said to newborns, twice a day at awakening and before sleep,

just before death

2. Salat - prayer five times a day facing Mecca3. Zakat - “giving to charity”4. Sawm – “fasting”

1. Muslims fast in times of daylight during the month of Ramadan

5. Hajj – The pilgrimage to Mecca.1. Each Muslim tries to make it once in their lifetime

Places of WorshipPlaces of Worship

• General place of worship is a Mosque• Major places of worship

• The Kaaba• Shrine in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca

• The Black Stone• Sits in a corner of the Kaaba, meteorite from ancient times

• The Mosque of The Prophet• Located in Medina, hold the tomb of Muhammad

• The Mosque of the Dome of the Rock• Located in Jerusalem, the rock is said to be the place

where the call to Judgment will be sounded

Islam in Ancient IndiaIslam in Ancient India

• Originally brought by traders from Arabia during the 7th and 8th centuries.

• Moguls began to take over India and impress Islam– Qur’an states that no one can be forced to be Muslim– Non-Muslims had to pay special taxes– Other religions were tolerated as long as they did not

interfere with the Muslim way of life

• Moguls ruled for 1,000 years

Christianity Monotheistic Jesus Christ – Son of God sent to save the

world Arose out of Judaism Holy Trinity

Father, Son, Holy Spirit Believe in Heaven and Hell Evangelism

Aim to convert other people and religions Brought to India on a large scale during

Imperialism

Basic Tenants Beliefs based on teachings of Christ

through the Bible New and Old Testaments

Compassion and Forgiveness Sin separate people from God

Goal is to Reconcile with God Ten Commandments There will be a day of Judgment Christ will return to earth

Major Religious Places

Place of Worship Churches, Cathedrals

Holy Places Jerusalem – Home of the Jews Bethlehem – Birthplace of Jesus Nazareth – Jesus’ home Rome – Home of the Vatican (Pope