Buddhism Began in India

Started by Siddhartha Gautama - rich young man

500 B.C. Born rich tried to

deal with poverty and suffering

Buddhism Troubled by “why

people suffer” Wandered as a monk Stopped wandering Meditated –

Concentrate really hard

The Buddha Discovered that to be

happy one must reject greed and desire

He accepted Hinduism and Reincarnation

Rejected the Caste System and need for priests

The people called him “Buddha” or “Enlightened One”

Four Noble Truths

Sutras-holy writings for Buddhism

1. There will always be pain

2. Suffering is caused by greed and desire

3. By giving up greed and desire will end suffering

4. To achieve Nirvana a pure state one must follow the “The Middle Way.”

The Middle Way The Eightfold Path – (eight

rules of conduct)1. Try to recognize the truth2. Try to avoid evil actions and

bad people3. Do not say things that hurt

others4. Respect other people and

their belongings5. Choose a job that does no

harm to others6. Do not think evil thoughts7. Avoid excitement or anger8. Work at meditation, thinking

carefully about what matters.

What Buddha

believed? Believed in

unselfishness Did not believe in

Gods or see the need for priests

Felt a man could change evil to good if he followed the Middle Way

Eventually one would achieve perfect peace

Buddhism today

6% of the world is Buddhist

4th largest religion

Practiced in Southern and Eastern Asia

Practiced around the world

Hinduism One of the oldest

religions in the world Developed in India Taken from the

Aryans Aryans group that

invaded India 1500B.C.

Books of Hinduism Hymns and rituals

known as the Vedas, of the Book of Knowledge

Vedas Holy Book 4 Books

Vedas – hymns, prayers and spells

Rig Veda – oldest book Brahmans – for priests Upanishads

Hinduism Polytheism – many

gods All gods are part of

Brahman Brahman – Supreme

God Believe all living

things have souls Cows are sacred Many are vegetarians

Reincarnation Reincarnation – The

belief that souls don’t die but are reborn

They can come back as people or animals

Good is rewarded with better life

Evil is rewarded with worse life

Souls are

reincarnated again and again until they are united with Brahman

Karma – Your actions follow you in life

The Caste System Social class is

hereditary (inherited)

Social class does not change

Improved in next life

The Caste System Social groups ranked

highest to lowest. 1. Priests 2. Warriors/Rulers 3. Skilled workers,

Merchants, Officials 4. Unskilled labor/

servants

Untouchables Below all the caste

Do the jobs most won’t do

They are outcastes (outside of castes)

Poor and unfortunate Can’t interact

outside their caste

No charity for

Untouchables Don’t help them They are to remain

that way because they are punished for their past life

No charity for them

Shinto

Japan’s Earliest religion

Means, “Way of the Gods”

Worship Kami – divine spirits

Spirits live in beautiful places

Live in some mountains and streams

Stress virtue of cleanliness

Practices

Pray and perform rituals to Kami and other spirits

Does not stress life after death

Most Japanese have alter to spirits for help and protection

Shinto - Religion Worship

nature Once the

official religion of Japan

not many followers

Confucianism

Confucianism is not a religion it is a philosophy

Confucius was born around 550 BC

Important scholar in Chinese history

Believed the key to peace was good behavior

Confucianism Believed in the

Golden Rule “What you do

not like when done unto yourself, do not unto others.”

Confucianism belief

5 relationships or interactions between people 1. ruler and subject 2. Father and son 3. Husband and wife 4. Older brother and

younger brother 5. friend and friend

If all relationships were based on kindness the world is at peace

Confucianism and

the Empire of China

121 BC Wudi, Han emperor made it official philosophy of China

Emperor hired Confucians

Lasted for 2000 years until 1949 when Communists took over China

Confucianism and

Modern China Many still

believe the philosophy

Chinese believe in treating others fairly

Explain the basic practices and beliefs of each

of the following religions and philosophy. Buddhism Hinduism Shintoism Confucianism

Summary