Started in India by Siddhartha Gautama Gautama reached enlightenment in 535 BCE and is known as the Buddha
Believe in reincarnation Salvation = Nirvana (release from the cycle of death and rebirth) No God, savior, prayers or eternal life after death
Guatama became the Buddha or “enlightened one” when figured out the world’s problems and how to solve them! There are “4 Noble Truths” Everyone suffers Desire causes suffering Ending desire will end suffering To end desire you must follow the “righteous eightfold path”
Right Knowledge Right Thinking Right Speech Right Conduct Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindedness Right Concentration In other words, do the right things in life and you will be peaceful, happy and harmonious!
No longer prevelant in India Spread to China, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet, Nepal and Vietnam Now led by the Dalai Lama
May be the oldest religion still practiced today 3 rd largest religion in the world – about 900 million followers
Dates back as far as 1500 BCE Believe in a universal spirit (Brahman) that appears in many different forms
Hindus believe Brahman can appear as any number of other gods These gods include Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti and Ganesha
Families often build shrines to one of the lesser gods and may worship it almost exclusively
Hinduism has many holy books The Vedas are the most ancient There are also epic poems like the Ramayana
Hindus strive to realize the true nature of self, to reach divinity Dharma – a person’s duties Samsara – rebirth Karma – a person’s actions Moksha – salvation
Confucius ( BCE) was a Chinese social philosopher Teachings dealt more with political matters than spiritual matters His ideas didn’t spread until after his death
Eventually became the basis of some of China’s most powerful dynasties Has been greatly debated over the centuries After a decline in interest, Confucianism is beginning to gain followers again in China
Stresses the importance of loyalty in relationships All relationships fall into one of five categories: 1. Ruler and Subject 2. Father and Son 3. Husband and Wife 4. Elder and Younger Brother 5. Between Friends