Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism

Most practiced religions of the world 1. Christianity (2-2.5 billion) 2. Islam (1-1.5 billion) 3. Hinduism ( million) 4. Buddhism ( million) 5. Sikhism (15-25 million) 6. Judaism (14-18 million)

Hinduism When and where did it begin? –Approx B.C. –In India –No specific founder (like Christianity with Jesus or Islam with Muhammad) –Often seen as more a way of life, “spirituality” –Many variations Who or what is god? –Some believe god is in everything (god the universe) –Others do believe in a supreme creator god (Ishvara, Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma) –Often use many gods (really sub-gods) as icons for worship

Hinduism terms 1. Brahman –divine essence which fills everything in the world (including humans, etc.) 2. Karma –the good or bad force created by a person’s actions 3. Samsara –The cycle of birth, death, rebirth (Reincarnation) –While in it, the focus is on short-lived pleasures 4. Nirvana –the highest a soul can reach; this is absolute peace and uniting with Brahman…. –People who do good (who fulfill dharma) gain good karma and are born in a higher social group in the next life… –those who do not are reborn in lower groups or even as animals

Hinduism terms 5. Caste system –a very strict class system where you can’t move from one class to another –based on the Hinduism religion (why?) 6. Yoga –often practiced by Hindus –these are mental and physical exercises designed to bring body and soul together, not just the yogas you may have seen as exercises

Hinduism beliefs and symbols Many Hindus are vegetarians (respect for all life) The cow –is not sacred but revered because it gives more than it takes –Hindus do not eat beef. Most rural Indian families have at least one dairy cow, a gentle spirit who is often treated as a member of the family. –The five products of the cow — milk, curds, ghee butter, urine and dung — are all used in worship and ceremony –The milk of the family cow nourishes children as they grow up, and cow dung is a major source of energy for households throughout India. Cow dung is sometimes among the materials used for a ritual mark on the forehead. Swastika –Ancient symbol used for good luck Veda - main scriptures Dot on head (tilak or bindi) –Religious symbol representing divine sight –For women, can be a beauty “decoration”

Buddhism When and where did it began? –Began by Siddhartha Guatama, who became known as the Buddha (the enlightened one) –He was born 563 bc in northern India… –He was born privileged and rich but ventured out of his palace at age 29 and was shocked at the real world… –He then searched for meaning of life… tried denying himself, torturing himself… –Finally came up with tenets of Buddhism

Buddhism and Hinduism Similarities with Hinduism –Belief in reincarnation –Belief in karma –Belief in need to achieve nirvana Differences with Hinduism –Belief that the soul isn’t some permanent, unchanging thing (flame analogy) –Anyone could reach nirvana (no caste)

Four Noble Truths –1. All human life involves suffering and sorrow (There is suffering) –2. The desire for a life of pleasure and material gain causes suffering and sorrow (There is a cause of suffering… a craving) –3. Renouncing desire frees people from suffering and helps their souls attain nirvana (There is an end to suffering) –4. The Eightfold Path is the way to renounce desire (There is a way that leads to the end of suffering… the Eightfold Path!)

The Eightfold Path

Buddhism Middle Way –not extremism –not self-indulgence, but not self- mortification –moderation in everything Two types of Buddhism: –1. Theravada - believed Buddha was great teacher and spiritual leader (Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, etc.) –2. Mahayana (which includes Tibetan) - believed Buddha was god and savior (China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan)

Sikhism When and where did it begin? –Founded in 1400s in India by Guru Nanak Dev –He and his nine successors are considered the 10 gurus of the religion and are seen to have divine attributes (but were not god) Similarities with Hinduism –Belief in reincarnation, karma, nirvana Differences with Hinduism –God is separate from his creation (so similar to Christianity, Islam in that way) –but more like “God the universe” instead of an anthropomorphic god –Goal to unify self with God by meditating on God’s name (Waheguru… AKA “Wonderful teacher” … ) and message

Sikhism Other notes –Much worship consists of reciting and meditating on sacred text (Guru Granth)… several long sessions of prayer a day are common in most sects –children are named by flipping to a random page in the Guru Granth Sahib and starting with letter in upper left corner… –boys middle names (surnames technically) are Singh, girls Kaur –No alcohol, cigarettes, and most are vegetarian (if they do eat meat, it must be killed with one blow, in humane manner)

Sikhism –Five Ks Worn by baptized Sikhs (and they cannot remove them) Uncut hair (hair should not be cut from birth to death), small comb, circular iron bracelet (faith), dagger (battling the senses), special undergarment (modesty)