Hinduism and Buddhism

Chapter 3 Section 2

The Beliefs of Hinduism Develop

• No single founder and no single sacred text– Many gods and goddesses and practices

Siva, god of destruction

Basic Hindu Beliefs

1. One force underlies everything– Brahma

2. Sacred texts reveal Hindu Beliefs– The Vedas

3. Achieving Moksha is the Goal of Life– This is union with Brahma– To achieve must free yourself from selfish desires

Brahma

Karma and Dharma

• Karma = all actions of a persons life that affect his or her fate in the next life• Reincarnation- – Different classes

• Dharma = the religious and moral duties of an individual– Pacifist

The Caste System Shapes India

• Castes are social groups into which people are born and which can rarely be changed.– Caste system guided

everything– Strive for better class in

next life– Preserved social order

Key Teachings of Buddha

• Arose in the 6th Century B.C. • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as

Buddha or “Enlightened One”

From Boy to Buddha

• Born a prince and spoiled and sheltered• Doesn’t witness suffering and death until age

29• Meditated under at tree until he understood

the mystery of life

The Four Noble Truths

1. All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow2. The cause of suffering is non-virtue, or

negative deeds and mindsets such as hatred and desire

3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome non-virtue

4. The way to overcome non-virtue is to follow the eightfold path

Eightfold Path

• Right views• Right aspirations• Right speech• Right conduct

• Right livelihood• Right effort• Right mindfulness• Right contemplation

Nirvana

• Nirvana is the ultimate reality, the end of the self and a reunion with the Great World Soul

• No worshiping of Siddhartha or his image

• Often viewed as philosophy not a religion.

Buddhism Spreads Beyond India

• The Tripitaka, collection of Buddha’s teachings

• Buddhism spreads to much of Asia, is little practiced in India today

• Hinduism absorbed Buddhist beliefs and Buddha

Buddhism Spreads and Divides:Two Major Sects

• Theravada– Closely follows Buddha’s

original teachings– Only monks and nuns

could reach Nirvana

• Mahayana– Made for ordinary

people– Describes and afterlife

with many heavens and hells

Compare and Contrast Poster

• Create a poster that compares and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism– Include when they began– How they began– Their beliefs and practices– Locations– Changes to the religions– Any other important information that you feel should

be shared– Include a picture with caption to go with each religion

Poster

Categories:• Who (founder)• When (timeframe)• Where (geography/map)• Belief system and structure• Religious Practices• Other important information

Compare and Contrast Poster

Hinduism Ultimate goal: Moksha,

union with Brahman. Originated with the

Aryans

Buddhism Founded by Siddharta

Gautama Ultimate goal: Nirvana,

union with the universe.

Similarities Karma Dharma Reincarnation

Nirvana: For the Buddhists the final goal is Nirvana, which is a union with the universe, and a release from the cycle of rebirth.