Hinduism & Buddhism SSWH2.B

Founder / Origins Not founded by any one person 750 – 550 BCE: Hinduism Buddhism Not founded by any one person 750 – 550 BCE: First step in development of Hinduism = Teachers began to interpret hymns from the Vedas Founded by Siddhartha Later called the “Buddha” “The enlightened one” Circa 600 BCE

Key Beliefs Four Noble Truths: “Moksha” Hinduism Buddhism “Moksha” A state of perfect understanding of all things Souls are reincarnated until they reach moksha “Karma” A soul’s good or bad deeds follow it from one life to the next. Good karma = birth into a good caste, good health, etc. Four Noble Truths: 1 – Life is filled with suffering 2 – Suffering is caused by desire for pleasure 3 – The way to end suffering is to end desire 4 – The way to end desire is to follow the “middle path”

Major Gods No “gods” Goal is to reach “Nirvana” Brahma – creator god Hinduism Buddhism Brahma – creator god Vishnu – protector god Shiva – destroyer god Devi – mother goddess Many other gods (all seen as incarnations of Brahma) Eventually, Hindus saw Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu No “gods” Goal is to reach “Nirvana” The release from selfishness and pain

Sacred Writings Vedas Upanishads Hinduism Buddhism Vedas Upanishads Writings of teachers who interpreted hymns from the Vedas There is not a single text that all Buddhists follow. The “Vinaya Pitaka” - recognized by many Buddhists as sacred “Jatakas” – legends about Buddha’s previous incarnations

Effect on Society Strengthened the traditional caste system Hinduism Buddhism Strengthened the traditional caste system Only members of the higher caste levels could achieve moksha in their present life Rejected the traditional caste system Many people out of the lower classes followed Buddha

Modern-Day Traditions Hinduism Buddhism Followers are free to choose which gods to worship or may choose to follow none of them 3 paths to moksha: Right thinking Right action Religious devotion Buddhism continues to be practiced by Monks who swear oaths of poverty, non-violence, and celibacy. Hinduism absorbed many Buddhist beliefs

The Spread of Buddhism SSWH2.B

Buddhist Population by Nation

Hinduism Dominated India Hinduism eventually recognized Buddha as one of the ten incarnations of their god Vishnu. As a result Hindus who liked the Buddha’s teaching saw no need to convert to Buddhism.

Buddhism Spreads Through Asia The ideas and teachings of Buddhism spread from India along the trade routes developed during the “golden age” of the Gupta Empire. Most important trade route = The Silk Road