Hinduism and Buddhism Background for Siddhartha

Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism Emerged in India B.C. One of the World’s oldest living religions No individual founder No “bible” but several religious texts Rig Veda: oldest—hymns, rituals, etc. Polytheistic Upanishads: newer—philosophical—monotheistic

Structure of Hindu Society/Caste System (4 Castes) Brahmans = Priests Kshatriyas = Warriors Vaisyas = Merchants Shudras = Laborers (Castes are a religious hierarchy, not an economic one) Two Classes “Outside” Caste System Sadhus [samanas]/wandering monks Untouchables

Some Essential Concepts of Hinduism: Reincarnation Karma = good deeds/bad deeds that determine rebirth Maya = illusion (the earth often represented Maya) Samsara = the false world itself/the product of illusion Yoga = the process of meditation Yogi = spiritual teacher/adviser Atman = the individual soul/the divine part of a person

Brahman = the universal soul (the divine/God) Enlightenment/liberation = the realization that Atman and Brahman are identical Reform: Buddhism began as a reform to Hinduism Buddha did not believe in the Caste System or in many of the traditions of Hinduism Buddha (c B.C.) Named Shakyamuni (known as Siddhartha Gotama) He was a prince Recognized at birth as special by wise men. They believed he would be a special monk or great conquerer

The Four Sights - at 29 he left the palace and saw: A sick man An old man A dead man A monk What could this mean?

Wandering – He decided to leave the palace and seek the truth for himself. He tried to follow these methods to attain truth/enlightenment: Dharma—doing one’s duty to family, etc. Kama—pleasure, especially sexual Artha – Wealth, money, material possessions Moksha—Liberation/Retirement Attainment – Nothing worked. Finally, desperate for meaning, he sat under the bodhi (bo) tree and inteneded not to arise until he attained enlightenment or else died. He became enlightened and proceeded to teach “4 noble truths”:

Life is suffering The cause of suffering is desire/selfishness Suffering can be stopped The way to end suffering is to follow the eight-fold path of Buddhism—Basically the “middle-way”; avoid excess Theory of Dependent Origination at heart of Buddhism Everything is caused by something else (cause/effect) Nothing exists on its own Nothing is permanent or unchangeable Everything can be changed