Hinduism and Buddhism Develop Chapter 3, Section 2 Hinduism and Buddhism Develop

India’s Geography India is a land of great Diversity Has over 110 different languages with over 1100 dialects spoken Geography ranges from fertile forests to desert, to high mountains Indian Subcontinent Smaller than a continent Subcontinent of Asia Divided from Asia by Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountain ranges

Aryan Invasion/Migration Aryans come to India 1500 BCE – group of Indo-European nomads began to move out of Central Asia Warfare = were advanced fighters Arrival in India - Advanced East from Indus Valley, eventually occupying almost all of India

Hinduism Evolves Over Centuries Collection of religious beliefs that developed slowly over time No one founder with a single set of ideas

The Vedas 1200 BCE-600 BCE Written in Sanskrit Hindu core of beliefs Hymns & poems Religious prayers Magical spells Lists of the gods Rig Veda = oldest work

Origins and Beliefs 750-500 BC, Hindu teachers create Upanishads-texts of teachings Each person has atman-soul united with all others in Brahman In reincarnation, people reborn to new lives A soul’s good and bad deeds, karma, determines course of new life

Hinduism Changes and Develops Over last 2,500 years different forms of god grow in importance Today, Hindus choose own path to moksha-a state of perfect understanding Hinduism and Society Hinduism strengthened the caste system

Caste System System was not originally particularly rigid Contained opportunity for mobility Intermarriage between castes was allowed System became increasingly complex and rigid as time went on Hundreds of castes No social contact between them At bottom, were the “untouchables”

Caste System Who is… The mouth? The arms? The legs? The feet? Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras Who is… The mouth? The arms? The legs? The feet? Caste System

New Religions Arise Jainism, a new religion, arises in 500s BC Jains will not harm any creature They work in trade, commerce; practice religious tolerance

The Buddha Seeks Enlightenment Siddhartha Gautama Founder of Buddhism; priests prophesized his greatness

Siddhartha's Quest Raised in isolation, Siddhartha Gautama wants to learn about world Seeks enlightenment (wisdom), how to escape human suffering Tries many methods; gains enlightenment by meditating Becomes the Buddha, the “enlightened one”

Seeking Truth Enlightenment Siddhartha tried many different ways of achieving enlightenment. He tried mediation, fasting, physical discomfort, but none along worked for him. He almost starved himself to death at one point. After that he knew he needed to try something different. Enlightenment Siddhartha decided that he would meditate until he discovered the way to end human suffering. Bodhi Tree: He sat under a Bodhi tree and said that he would not get up until he had achieved enlightenment. He mediated for 40 days amidst temptation, and at the end said that he was “awake” he had achieved, Nirvana, or Enlightenment. This is when he became the Buddha, or enlightened one.

Origins and Beliefs Buddha begins to teach followers Preaches Four Noble Truths-basic philosophy of Buddhism Fourth Noble Truth is to follow the Eightfold Path to achieve nirvana Nirvana: A perfect state of understanding A release from selfishness and pain A break from the chain of reincarnations, rebirths Buddha rejects caste system and multiple gods of Hinduism

The Religious Community Some followers devote lives to religion, become monks and nuns Three bases of Buddhism: Buddha religious community teachings

Buddhism and Society Many followers at first among poor and lower caste Monks and nuns spread Buddha’s teachings Teachings written to become sacred literature

Buddhism in India Spreads to other parts of Asia Never gains firm hold in India; Hinduism remains strong Buddhist pilgrims often visit India

Trade and the Spread of Buddhism Buddhism spreads by traders to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Sumatra China, Korea, Japan

Buddha’s Life Buddha practices what he preached Only owned simple robe, walking stick, and wooden bowl Always slept outside and walked everywhere he went Presented his creed in a simple language Treated all persons equally Many people attracted to him as a result Millions of converts across Asia

Spread of Buddhism Convents and Monasteries: The Buddha had many followers, both men and women. He did not discriminate based on gender. Death of the Buddha: He died of food poisoning at the home of a friend. Scriptures: His teachings were collected in the Tripitika, or three baskets of wisdom.

Buddhist Traditions Buddhism ultimately split into 2 traditions Theravada (Little Vehicle) Do not view Buddha as a god, was just a great man Strict practice and dediction Mahayana (Big Vehicle) Largest of the two Buddha was human incarnation of Brahma; Buddha was a god Led to worship of Buddha, creation of idols, elaborate rituals, and temples Vow not to reach Nirvana, instead stay to help others reach Nirvana first

Stupa Shrine that houses Buddhist relics