Section 2 Hinduism and Buddhism Chapter 3 Section 2 Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism Develops No single founder > No single text Grew out of the beliefs of a diverse group of people who settled India Result > a complex religion Hindus do share some basic beliefs All powerful spiritual force > Brahman Gods give concrete form to Brahman Hindu teachings recorded in the Vedas

Hinduism Develops Cont. Ultimate goal > achieving moksha > union with Brahman Every person > essential self > atman Moksha usually achieved in more than one lifetime Reincarnation > rebirth of the soul Must obey law of karma Cycle of death and rebirth > Image of the Indian wheel Dharma > religious and moral duties Ahimsa > nonviolence > all things are aspects of brahman

Jainism Jainism > religion > grew out of Hindu traditions > emphasizes mediation, self-denial, and an extreme form of ahimsa

Caste System Caste > social class you are born into and can rarely change > major Hindu belief Higher the caste > the closer that person is to achieving moksha Very complex caste rules Example > Can’t marry outside your caste “untouchables” > spiritually impure > lowest of the castes No contact > fear of spreading pollution Caste system ensured social order even with inequalities Different castes worked together to help society as a whole

Key Teachings Buddhism Buddhism > founder > Siddhartha Gautama Becomes Buddha or “Enlightened One” Four Noble Truths lie at the heart of Buddhism Eightfold Path > right ways to live By following the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, living a moral life, and lastly through mediation one could achieve enlightenment Goal > nirvana > union with the universe Buddha stressed honesty, charity, and kindness to all living creatures

Key Teachings Cont. Both Hinduism and Buddhism Differences Stressed nonviolence, karma, dharma, and a cycle of rebirth Differences Buddhists reject caste system Buddhists seek enlightenment through meditation They don’t worship many gods, focus on priests, or rely on formal rituals

Buddhism Spreads Spreads to many parts of Asia > Two Sects (Divisions) > Theravada and Mahayana