Global History I: Adamiak Hinduism Global History I: Adamiak

Origins Developed over thousands of years combining the beliefs of the Aryans & Indus peoples NO single founder The word Hindu is derived from the river Sindhu or Indus

The Universal Spirit Hindus believe in one unifying spirit called Brahman Brahman is too complex for humans to understand Hindus worship many gods to give a more concrete form to Brahman

The Three Main Hindu Gods Brahman The creator Vishnu The preserver Shiva The destroyer

Ātman Ātman our innermost and true selves It is unchanging (unlike our bodies and minds) We lose sight and awareness of our ātman in our search for material things and “true happiness.” We cannot find true happiness this universe We must achieve moksha

Moksha The main goal of life is to achieve union with Brahman (moksha) Moksha can only occur when you free yourself from all your selfish desires Most people cannot achieve moksha in one lifetime

Reincarnation Reincarnation  the soul is reborn in a new body Each new lifetime allows you to get closer to moksha Hindus get closer to this union by being born into higher levels of existence

Karma & Dharma Karma  the deeds & actions (both good & bad) of a person’s life that affects his/her existence in the next life Dharma  The moral & religious duties that are expected by of an individual A persons gender, class/caste, age, & occupation can affect his/her dharma

The Caste System Caste/Varnas Social groups into which people are born in & out of You cannot move into a different caste during your life time

The Caste System

Other Facts The Ganges River is sacred Sacred Texts Bathing in it can purify, cleanse, and cure the sick Upon death many Hindus are cremated & have some of their ashes spread in the Ganges Sacred Texts Bhagavad-Gita  most important text; it is a dialogue between a prince and the Vishnu in disguise. Vedas Book of hymns, prayers, and philosophies

Other Facts Reverence towards the cow (“The Sacred Cow”) Seen as a symbol of life and nourishment Cow Dung Used for energy, tilaks (religious markings), & fertilizer

Other Facts The Bindi Forehead decoration that symbolizes the relationship status of a Hindu women Red = Married Black = Single Black can also ward off evil spirits

The Prophecy The Prophecy: At Siddhartha’s birth it was predicted that he had the signs of a great man. If Siddhartha stayed at home, he was destined to become a world ruler. If he left home, he was destined to become a universal spiritual leader (a Buddha). Siddhartha’s father isolated him in his palace This made Siddhartha curious about the outside world At age 29, Siddhartha left the palace walls 4 times with a guide as per his father’s request Siddhartha realized that every person experiences: Old age  Sickness  Death

The Englightenment The Enlightenment Siddhartha decided to search for religious truth & an end to suffering The search lasted 6 years In his sixth year, after 49 days of meditation Siddhartha came to a realization about suffering…

Beliefs The Four Noble Truths All life is suffering Suffering is caused by desire for things that bring temporary pleasures The way to eliminate suffering is to eliminate desire The way to eliminate suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path

Beliefs Eightfold Path Right Occupation Right Effort Right Understanding Right Belief/Intention Right Speech Right Behavior/Conduct Right Occupation Right Effort Right Contemplation Right Meditation

Beliefs Nirvana A state of enlightenment in which one has freed himself from selfishness and desire Releasing from the cycle of death and rebirth Similar to what concept in Hinduism?

Mahayana The “Greater Vehicle” Worship Buddha as a deity Have many religious rituals Venerate saints known as Bodhisattvas Nirvana is achieved with others and could be given up for Salvation through good works Theravada The “Lesser Vehicle” Believe Buddhism is for monks; for individuals it’s a philosophy View Buddha as a teacher Avoid rituals Achieving nirvana is individualistic through meditation

Difference between Buddhism Denies existence of atman Does not believe there is a caste system Despite Mayhana beliefs, no deities in Buddhism Buddha refused followers to worship him as a god