The Religions of South Asia BELIEFS, TRADITIONS, AND TEACHINGS OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST PRACTICING RELIGIONS

Members were expected to fulfill their dharma (duty) Caste System Introduced into India with the Aryans, who came to India from south Europe Social classes also called varnas which are divided into sub groups: jati You could not change your caste during your life-you were born, married and died within your social class! Members were expected to fulfill their dharma (duty)

Untouchables or Outcasts Caste System Brahmans Priests, teachers, and judges Kshatriyas Warriors Vaisyas Farmers, Traders and Merchants Sudras Craftworkers and Laborers, Peasants Untouchables or Outcasts Street sweepers, garbage collectors, and hide tanners and landowners Aka-Dalits

Using Popular Culture to Understand Judge Judy Brahman

Kshatriya: Merchant Johnny Depp owns an island in the Bahamas

Vaisyas: Merchants Billy Mays used to sell Oxy-Clean (RIP)

Sudra Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby in “Talladega Nights”

Untouchables Mike Rowe, “Dirty Jobs”

Hinduism in India 80% of Indians are Hindus

Hinduism came from the practices of the Aryans Where did it come from? Hinduism came from the practices of the Aryans traveled to the Indus River valley over 4000 years ago. Aryans were semi- nomadic herders who came from central Europe/Russia ** Oldest World Religion Practiced Today, around 900 million followers**

Basic Hindu Practices One is born a Hindu-you cannot convert Ahimsa Belief in nonviolence Forbids killing, even for food Religious Tolerance - Extremely tolerant of other religions. Death Cremation occurs followed by 12 days of prayer The deceased’s ashes are put into the Ganges River Sacred Sound “Om”

Hindu Practices Cows are sacred NOT worshipped! Hands Fingers of the right hand are used to eat Left hand is considered unclean Many Hindus are Vegetarians

Hindu Beliefs Samsara or Reincarnation Ultimate Goal: Moksha                             Karma Good and bad deeds Samsara or Reincarnation My Name is Earl-NBC Ultimate Goal: Moksha Gain salvation when your soul merges with god

Holy Books ** written in Sanskrit ** The Vedas Collection of hymns, prayers and rules for rituals and sacrifices Many believe they came with the Aryans The Rig Veda is the oldest dating back to 1500 BCE Epic Poems Mahabharata-longest literary epic poem in the world Struggle between 2 ruling families for the throne of Hastinapura Ramayana-the story of Rama and the struggle between good and evil The Upanishads Stories about the relationship between Brahman and the individual soul Brahman is the Supreme Cosmic Spirit

Monotheism vs. Polytheism Hindus believe that one God, Braman, takes many forms—it is monotheistic AND polytheistic in nature.

The Hindu Trinity: 3 Main ‘Gods’ Brahma The Creator Has 4 heads Rides a swan or lotus blossom Has 4 hands-1 is always raised in a blessing

The Hindu Trinity: 3 Main ‘Gods’ Vishnu The Preserver Rides an eagle or sleeps on a snake

The Hindu Trinity: 3 Main ‘Gods’ Shiva The Destroyer Carries a trident Has a 3rd eye of knowledge Rides a bull Also laid the Ganges River!

Sadhus/Holy Men Each temple has a priest who recites sacred texts and prepares horoscopes Marks on their foreheads tell which god they follow They wear yellow or orange robes They can be seen often begging for money

Buddhism A way of life

Buddhism: The “middle way of wisdom & compassion” A 2500 year old tradition that began in India and spread and diversified throughout the Far East A philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice followed by more than 360 million people Based on the teachings of the Buddha

“The Jewels of Buddhism” The Teacher Buddha The Teachings Dharma (natural law)

Who is the Buddha? (A Brief Background—do not write all of this down!) Born Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E. Raised in great luxury to be a king Empathy for the suffering of others; at age 29 rejected the life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to suffering Followed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six years Rejected this extreme, sat in meditation, achieved Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35 Spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved

What did the Buddha teach? The Four Noble Truths: To live is to suffer (suffering = inevitable) The cause of suffering is self-centered desire & attachments The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (“extinction”) The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”

How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? Buddhism rejects… Authority of the ancient Vedic texts The Vedic caste system The Vedic and Hindu deities The efficacy of Vedic worship and ritual The concept of Brahman

What do Buddhists believe? Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma) Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind (THE MAIN GOAL OF BUDDHISM) Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

Jainism

The Basics At least 2500+ years old, began in India 4.5-7.5 million followers Seeks to release the soul from the round of rebirth, to liberate spirit from matter Ahimsa – non-violence – is the hallmark of this spiritual discipline No creator god

The History Began in India with 24 teachers, called “Tirthankaras” One of the world’s oldest religions—2,500 years?? Last teacher: Mahavira Reformed ancient Jainism in his lifetime (599-527 BCE) The goal of Jainism is to become a conqueror (Jina), or an enlightened being who has conquered material existence & released the soul from reincarnation/rebirth

Beliefs ALL living things contain soul & are considered JIVA (soul trapped in matter) humans, plants, animals, water, fire, air beings Belief in KARMA  Moksha (no rebirth!) How to achieve moksha Non-violence (ahimsa) to any & all life forms Non-attachment Non-hatred Asceticism Many gods & humans (gods as self-realized humans??)

They also take Five Vows! Strict non-violence (ahimsa!) Truthfulness No stealing Chastity & Celibacy Ascetic Lifestyle (living in poverty—no worldly goods!)

“Ek Onkar” : “There is only one God” Sikhism “Ek Onkar” : “There is only one God” The Ten Gurus/teachers of Sikhism

What is it? 500-year-old, monotheistic religion found in NW India **One of the world’s YOUNGEST religions!** ~25 million followers Founded by Guru Nanak Dev around 1500AD Nanak: unifying message  uniting Hindu & Muslim in common devotion to same God Spirit of the Guru (Nanak) lived on for 200 years through a succession of human gurus (teachers), who wrote Book of God Last HUMAN guru established the text, known as “Guru Granth Sahib” as the final and “forever” Guru

Beliefs Belief in ONE God, shared by all religions Name is “Truth!” Equality in all human beings; rejects caste system Karma & reincarnation Rejects asceticism No rituals, idols, or icons—simple, heartfelt devotion to God

Practices: The Five “K’s” Do not cut hair (men & women) [Kesh] Men wear turbans to cover hair (Keshki) Men have beard & mustache that are only trimmed Keep a comb to keep the hair clean & presentable (Kanga) Steel bracelet worn on right wrist (Kara) Wear white: Chastity until marriage, purity (Kachh/Kachera) Carry dagger as symbol to protect weak (Kirpan)

Way of Life Meditation & personal prayer morning and evening Honest & hard work Charity Service to humanity, God & guru Strong family values Strong identity with Sikh community Some abstain from smoking, drinking & illegal drugs

Prohibited Behavior Cannot drink, smoke No superstitions & rituals (fasting, pilgrimage, etc.) Do NOT get attached to worldly items No sacrifice of animals or people Cannot live as a reculse, beggar, be a nun (“non-family oriented living” is prohibited) Cannot brag, lie, gossip No hierarchy of people—EVERYONE IS EQUAL!!