Two Major Religions from India Hinduism and Buddhism Two Major Religions from India

Similarities Grew out of Vedic religious traditions Karma, Dharma, Moksha Reincarnation Nonviolence / Ahimsa

Hinduism: Origins No single founder Developed from the overlapping beliefs of Indus and Aryans as well as others Hinduism is one of the most complex religions

Hinduism: Major Beliefs Everything in the universe is part of the unchanging, all powerful spiritual force called Brahman. Hindus worship many gods that are part of the Brahman Brahma: the creator Vishnu: the preserver Shiva: the destroyer

Hinduism: Major Beliefs Every person has an essential self or atman which is just another name for Brahman, and the ultimate goal is moksha, or union with the Brahman, thus reincarnation makes this possible Karma: refers to all actions of a person’s life that affect their fate in the next life, and Dharma: the religious and moral duties of an individual that help escape the wheel of fate.

Hinduism: Sacred Texts No single sacred text: Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, and Mahabharata Vedas and Upanishads recorded Hindu teachings The Bhagavad-Gita spells out many ethical ideas central to Hinduism such as ahimsa, or nonviolence.

Prince Siddhartha Gautama enjoyed a happy life, married and had a son One day he left the palace and he saw suffering for the first time and set out to discover “the realm of life where there is no suffering or death One day he sat down to meditate for 48 days until he became enlightened and understood the cause and cure for suffering and pain he then became the Buddha Buddhism: Origins

Buddhism: Major Beliefs Four Noble Truths: all life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are really illusions The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path Eightfold Path right views, right aspirations, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation. Through meditation a person might achieve enlightenment or Nirvana: the union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth.

Buddhism: Sacred Texts Buddhism spread by Buddha’s teachings and those of his disciples and monasteries grew as centers of learning. Some of his followers collected his teachings into the Tripitaka or “Three Baskets of Wisdom”

Buddhism Spreads Later split into two major schools of thought Theravada: more like Buddha’s original teachings Mahayana: easier for everyday people to follow, and worshiped Buddha as god.

Other Differences Buddhism rejected the priests, formal rituals, and existence of many gods Buddhists rejected the caste system offering hope of nirvana to all

Religions of India Song To the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb” India has 2 religions Hinduism and Buddhism Both believe in karma, dharma, ahimsa, and reincarnation Hinduism is the oldest religion with millions of gods but no founder 3 of the most important are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva Unlike Hinduism, Buddhism rejects the caste system They offer hope to all who want to achieve nirvana India has 2 religions Hinduism and Buddhism Both believe in karma, dharma, ahimsa, and reincarnation