Hinduism

Origin/Founder Hinduism is a collection of religious beliefs that developed over time. Unlike other religions, Hinduism can not be traced to one founder with a single set of ideas.

Basic Beliefs Reincarantion – the process of an individual soul or spirit being born again

Basic Beliefs Moksha - Goal of a Hindu’s life - Released from reincarnation and united with Brahman

Basic Beliefs Monotheistic – all gods are part of Brahman (the supreme god)

Holy Books Vedas - collection of hymns and prayers Upanishads are written as discussion between student and teacher. They explore how a person can get rid of desires and suffering and reach moksha.

Major god(s) - Brahman - Supreme God - Creates, maintains, destroys, and re- creates the universe (cycle) - Everything is a part of Brahman including atman, or the human soul

Other Gods - Believe all gods are all an aspect of Brahman - Vishnu - Shiva - Brahma

Important Traditions/Customs Karma: - the total of good and bad actions - ones good/bad actions will affect their placement into their next life

Important Traditions/Customs Caste System- reinforced through Karma and reincarnation - your caste would determine all aspects of life

Important Traditions/Customs Brahmins/ Priests Kshatriyas/ Rulers & Warriors Vaishyas/ Peasants & Traders Shudras/ Laborers Untouchables

Important Traditions/Customs Dharma - Holy duty or moral responsibility - “The right thing to do”

Important Traditions/Customs - Pilgrimage to the Ganges river to cleanse or purify them.

Where is Hinduism today? - Mostly stayed in India -Some in SE Asia

Hinduism clip

Buddhism

Origins Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism ( B.C.) Originated in India

Basic Beliefs Reincarnation was the cycle of rebirth until one reached nirvana Nirvana/Enlightenment - release from selfishness and pain

Holy Texts Four Noble Truths - explained what he discovered in his enlightenment, how to end suffering. Eightfold Path - how you achieve enlightenment

4 Noble Truths 1)Everything in life is suffering. 2)The cause of all suffering is people’s selfish desire for the temporary pleasures of this world. 3)The way to end suffering is to end all desires 4)The way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, which is called the Middle Way between desires and self-denial

Major Gods Rejects the idea of many gods Some sects believe that Buddha was a god

Important Traditions/Customs Sangha - religious community of Buddhist monks and nuns Rejected the Caste System Many followers were laborers and craftspeople.

Where is Buddhism today? Missionaries spread Buddhism throughout Asia (China, Japan, Korea) Was not widely accepted in India because of the rejection of the caste system

Judaism

Origin/Founder Canaan (Palestine) is the ancient home of the Hebrews or Jews The history of the religion is recorded in the Torah, their holy book (about 2000 B.C.E) Abraham is known as the “father” of the Hebrew people Important figures in the faith: Abraham, Moses, David & Solomon

Basic Beliefs Monotheistic- believe in one God, Yahweh Covenants – promises between Yahweh and Abraham & Moses Goal – to worship Yahweh & to live a moral life according to the laws of the Torah

Holy Texts Torah is the first five books of the Christian Bible Ten Commandments offer guidelines for how to live – Ex: Thou shalt not kill

Major God(s) Yahweh = Monotheistic Yahweh was not a physical being and there were not supposed to be physical images made of him

Important Traditions/Customs Synagogue- Jewish house of worship Rabbi – religious teacher Yom Kippur – religious holiday Dietary Restrictions- Jewish laws establish what is kosher, or acceptable – Can not eat things seen as “unclean” like pig

Where is this religion today? After the Exodus, when Moses fled Egypt the Kingdom of Israel was established King David, around 1000 B.C.E. set up the capital city Jerusalem His son, King Solomon, built a temple in Jerusalem to hold the Ark of the Covenant, which is sacred to all Jews Hebrew population was often dominated by other groups but the religion is predominately found the U.S. and in modern day Israel.

the-jews-1 History of Judaism Skip 9:45-11:45 Stop at 13:05 Ark of the convenant

Four Noble Truths Nirvana India Canaan Monotheistic Polytheistic Caste System Israel Asia Vedas Upanishads Torah Ten Commandments Abraham Moses David Solomon Karma Yahweh Brahman Eightfold Path Moksha Aryans Covenants

Iron Weapons Anatolia Chariots Peace treaty with Egypt King Minos Labyrinth Minotaur Pottery Pre-Greek Crete Mediterranean Sea City-states Trade Purple Dye Phonetic Alphabet Caste System Vedas India