Ancient Civilizations: India- Buddhism and Hinduism

Belief Systems: India Hinduism Considered the world’s oldest religion – over 3,000 years old.Considered the world’s oldest religion – over 3,000 years old. The world’s third largest religion after Christianity and Islam.The world’s third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. - over 900 million followers The dominant religion in India and Nepal (80%) of the pop. In both.The dominant religion in India and Nepal (80%) of the pop. In both.

Belief Systems: India Hinduism Hinduism claims to have many founders, teachers and prophets who claim first hand experience of God.Hinduism claims to have many founders, teachers and prophets who claim first hand experience of God. Hindus recognize one God, Brahman, who is the cause and foundation of all existence.Hindus recognize one God, Brahman, who is the cause and foundation of all existence. The gods of the Hindu faith represent different expressions of Brahman.The gods of the Hindu faith represent different expressions of Brahman.

Belief Systems: India Hinduism Hindus recognize three principal gods:Hindus recognize three principal gods: - Brahma, who creates the universe - Vishnu, who preserves the universe - Shiva, who destroys the universe.

Belief Systems: India Hinduism Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, (Samsara = reincarnation) governed by Karma.Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, (Samsara = reincarnation) governed by Karma.cycle of birth, death, and rebirthcycle of birth, death, and rebirth Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived (karma).Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived (karma). Moksha is the end of the death and rebirth cycle.Moksha is the end of the death and rebirth cycle.

“The Wheel of Life” (Samsara = Reincarnation)

Belief Systems - India Hinduism: The Ganges River and Varanasi/Benares After a Hindu is cremated, the ashes are usually scattered in water.After a Hindu is cremated, the ashes are usually scattered in water. The Ganges River is considered the most sacred place to scatter ashes.The Ganges River is considered the most sacred place to scatter ashes. Varanasi (Benares), one of the oldest cities in the world, is seen as a desired place to die.Varanasi (Benares), one of the oldest cities in the world, is seen as a desired place to die. - Anyone who dies here breaks the cycle of life and achieves moksha.

Varanasi / Benares - Cremation

Hindu Men Bathing in the Holy Ganges River

Belief Systems: India Hinduism – Religious Texts The Vedas are the most ancient religious Hindu text and define the truth.The Vedas are the most ancient religious Hindu text and define the truth.Vedas Hindus believe that the texts were received by scholars directly from God and passed onto generations by word of mouth.Hindus believe that the texts were received by scholars directly from God and passed onto generations by word of mouth.

Belief Systems: India Hinduism – Religious Texts – The Vedas The Vedas are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for Hindus.The Vedas are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for Hindus. They got their present form between BCE and were introduced to India by the Aryans.They got their present form between BCE and were introduced to India by the Aryans.

Belief Systems: India The Caste System The Aryans introduced the varna system (varna = estates or classes) to India.The Aryans introduced the varna system (varna = estates or classes) to India. Varnas are the historical division of society into 4 broad classes:Varnas are the historical division of society into 4 broad classes:

Belief Systems: India The Caste System  The Brahmins – priests and teachers – the highest caste “Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness--these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work.”“Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness--these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work.” - Bhagavad Gita, Ch. 18, Verse 42

Belief Systems: India The Caste System 2. The Kshatriyas – warriors, soldiers “Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas.”“Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas.” - Bhagavat Gita, Ch. 18, Verse 43.

Belief Systems: India The Caste System 3. The Vaishyas – merchants and artisans 4. The Sudras – unskilled laborers and servants “Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas, and for the sudras there is labor and service to others.”“Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas, and for the sudras there is labor and service to others.” - Bhagavad Gita, Ch. 18, Verse 44

Belief Systems: India Outcastes – Untouchables – “Dalits” Too low to be in the caste systemToo low to be in the caste system Considered “impure” from birthConsidered “impure” from birth Perform jobs that are traditionally considered “unclean”Perform jobs that are traditionally considered “unclean” - scavengers - clean toilets and sewers - handle dead bodies - many Dalit girls forced into prostitution

Belief Systems: India Buddhism Is 2,500 years old.Is 2,500 years old. Originated in Nepal when it was part of India.Originated in Nepal when it was part of India. Currently 376 million followers worldwide.Currently 376 million followers worldwide. There is no belief in a personal God. It is not centered on the relationship between humanity and GodThere is no belief in a personal God. It is not centered on the relationship between humanity and God Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent - change is always possibleBuddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent - change is always possible

Belief Systems: India Buddhism Founder: Siddharta Gautama (580 - ) born in Nepal.Founder: Siddharta Gautama (580 - ) born in Nepal. He was born into a royal family, and his privileged life insulated him from the sufferings of life; sufferings such as sickness, age and death.He was born into a royal family, and his privileged life insulated him from the sufferings of life; sufferings such as sickness, age and death. Once he left his royal surroundings he saw an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. He learned that sickness, age, and death are inevitable. He decided to give up his royal lifestyle and become an ascetic.Once he left his royal surroundings he saw an old man, a sick man, and a corpse. He learned that sickness, age, and death are inevitable. He decided to give up his royal lifestyle and become an ascetic.

Belief Systems: India Buddhism Buddha became a wandering monk, devoting himself to meditation and denying himself of material pleasure.Buddha became a wandering monk, devoting himself to meditation and denying himself of material pleasure. After six years of asceticism, he concluded that suffering was not the answer.After six years of asceticism, he concluded that suffering was not the answer. He devoted his life to the “Middle Way” a life without luxury or poverty.He devoted his life to the “Middle Way” a life without luxury or poverty. Most important Buddhist doctrines:Most important Buddhist doctrines: - Four Truths for the Spiritually Noble - The Eightfold Path

Belief Systems: India Buddhism - Four Truths for the Spiritually Noble 1. 1.Suffering is a fact of life. - Birth, aging, sickness, death, encountering the unpleasant, separation from the pleasant, and not gaining what one desires 2. Origin / Cause of suffering: - Unsatisfied cravings, desires - Negative deeds and actions

Belief Systems: India Buddhism - Four Truths for the Spiritually Noble 3. Cessation of suffering = nirvana. 4. The path to the cessation of suffering. - that path is known as the Eightfold Path. Like in Hinduism, Buddhism recognizes reincarnation and karma. Your karma determines what form your reincarnation will take.Like in Hinduism, Buddhism recognizes reincarnation and karma. Your karma determines what form your reincarnation will take.