Buddhism vs. Hinduism

Hinduism

• A complex POLYTHEISTIC religion• Make up 80% of Indian population

Cows are sacred to Hindus

Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of death and destruction was away at a war. His wife Pavarti, who was a goddess in her own

right, wished to bathe. Having no-one to guard the door to her apartments she conceived of the idea of giving birth to a son who could provide this service for her. Thus Ganesh was

created, since goddesses have the power to do such things. Pavarti gave Ganesh instructions that he was to stand guard at the entrance of her

apartments and that he was to admit no-one until she gave word that it was OK to do so. Ganesh took up his post and undertook his assignment enthusiastically.

In due course the Lord Shiva returned from his war and went to enter. Ganesh, according to his instructions, forbade him entry. Shiva was enraged by Ganesh’s impudence and drew his

sword and cut off Ganesh's head. Pavarti emerged to find Ganesh decapitated and flew into a rage. Even though he was

immensely powerful Shiva was upset with Pavarti’s rage. He swore to make amends by taking the head of the first living thing he found to replace Ganesh’s head. The first animal he came

across was an elephant. Accordingly he took the head from the elephant an placed it on Ganesh’s body.

Thus Ganesh is depicted with an elephant’s head. Because of his role as protector of Parvarti's door he is associated, in Hindu culture, with protecting entrances.

GANESH

* Karma • Moral consequences of your actions

* Reincarnation • The rebirth of souls after death, and the

moral actions of a person determine how a person is reincarnated.

When the cycle of reincarnation is over, a person becomes one with god – Nirvana or “Moksha”

* Caste System • A system of social

classes – ****can only move between castes through reincarnation.– Four basic castes

• The Brahmans (priests and scholars)

• The Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors)

• The Vaisyas (farmers and merchants)

• The Sudras (artisans and laborers)

• * The untouchables (dirty jobs)

The Brahmans• Highest “class” or caste• Teachers, Priests, Doctors

Kshatriyas

• Kings and Nobility• Warriors• Second most prestigious

Vaishyas

• Merchants and Farmers

Sudras

• Artists• Workers• Service Providers

Untouchables• Excluded from society all together• Outcasts• Also known as “dalits”• Face violence and discrimination

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0306/feature1/

Buddhism • A philosophy of living life that is similar

to Hinduism• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known

as “Buddha” (meaning "the awakened one" in Sanskrit).

• Buddhism was founded in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama in the sixth century BCE.

• However, Buddhists believe that there were countless Buddhas -- humans who have achieved enlightenment -- before him and that there will be many more after him.

• When Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment, he assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened)

Quotation by Siddhãrtha Gautama (Buddha):

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in traditions simply because they have been handed down for many generations.

But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

• Use mandalas (geometric designs) to symbolize the universe and aid in meditation

• BUDDHISTS DO NOT FOLLOW THE CASTE SYSTEM!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYVcjFhpsHc

* Nirvana • Enlightenment • When one meditates and achieves

the highest level of spirituality

• The Fat Buddha ("Laughing Buddha") has been an image exclusive to Chinese Buddhism. It has come to represent good luck and wealth.

Research both Buddhism and Hinduism on the internet and find 5 pictures for each side that depicts rituals, symbols, beliefs, or explanations of both religious philosophies. Below are the requirements

Janus Model comparing Buddhism and Hinduism

• 5 pictures for each side, this is in addition to the picture in the center.

• Must draw the pictures• Must be colored • Pictures must have sentences to explain what it

represents (more than one word!!!)