Warm-Up: and Make sure your notebook is organized and your table of contents is in order for the notebook quiz today!

Table of Contents Update: Page 35: Notebook Quiz #1 Page 36: Notes: Hinduism and Buddhism

Agenda: and Warm-Up: Judaism/Hebrews Review 2. Notebook Quiz #1 (1-25) 3. Notes: Hinduism and Buddhism 4. Primary Source Analysis Group Activity HOMEWORK: Read/notes - Ch. 3, Sec. 1 in textbook; study for RELIGIONS QUIZ

World Religions: Hinduism

Background Info Hinduism is a religion that began in India. The religion dates back to 1500 B.C., making it the world’s oldest religion. There are 750 million Hindus in the world today. No concrete, single founder for the Hindu faith.

The vast majority of Hindus live in India and Nepal. Place of Origin/Current “Heart” of Hinduism

Basic Beliefs: Hindus believe in a single Divinity or supreme God that is present in everything called Brahman. Belief in different “forms” of supreme God as well EX: Shiva, Shakti, and Ganesh.

Hinduism’s Holy Place Could include various cities throughout India Varanasi is a good example

Basic Beliefs Reincarnation: Belief that the soul repeatedly goes through a cycle of being born into a body, dying, and being reborn again in a new body. Karma: Determines quality of each life, depending on how well one behaved in a past life. Hindus = we create karma by our actions on earth If you live a good life, you create good karma. If you live a bad life, you create bad karma.

Basic Beliefs Concept of moksha Each time a Hindu soul is born into a better life, it has the opportunity to improve itself further, and get closer to moksha, or “ultimate liberation” This liberation is called Moksha. The way to get to Moksha is to not create any BAD karma.

Sacred Writings/Holy Writings The Vedas Collections of Sanskrit hymns (written down BCE, but based on older oral versions). The Upanishads The inner/mystic teaching passed down from guru (teacher) to disciple (student).

Sacred Writings/Holy Texts Mahabharata = “great story” One of the great epic poems of ancient India. It was written between 300 BC and AD The story is about the battle of one family over a kingdom in northern India. The Bhagavad Gita (Song of God) is contained in the Mahabharata. It is dialogue between Krishna and the hero Arjuna on the meaning of life.

Religion’s Impact on Society Each Hindu has 4 daily duties based on respect and honor : 1. Revere the deities 2. Respect ancestors 3. Respect all beings 4. Honor all humankind

Religion’s Impact on Society Institution of the caste system  Brahmin : priests  Kshatriya: warriors, administrators  Vaistrya: farmers, merchants, teachers, artisans  Sudras: servants, laborers  Untouchables

World Religions: Buddhism

Background Info Followed by 300 million people “Buddhism” comes from budhi, or 'to awaken'. Has origins about 2,500 years ago Founder = Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), “awakened” (enlightened) at the age of 35.

The Buddhist faith has its roots in India. The largest concentration of Buddhists today is in East Asia/China. Place of Origin/Current “Heart” of Hinduism

Buddhism’s Founder Siddhartha Gautama Born into a royal family in northern India Realizes wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness Decides to leave the palace and see the world GOAL: to find the key to happiness Meditates for 6 years Discovers enlightenment  becomes known as the Buddha Spends the rest of his life teaching Buddhism enlightenment

Buddhism’s Holy Place Lumbini and Kusinara Lumbini = where Buddha found his enlightenment Kusinara = where Buddha died

Basic Beliefs Concept of nirvana Reaching total enlightenment Follow Four Noble Truths, 8-Fold Path to achieve nirvana

Basic Beliefs The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the 1) Four Noble Truths and the 2) Noble Eightfold Path.

Basic Beliefs Four Noble Truths 1. Life is suffering : meaning life includes pain, (getting old, being lonely, being sad, disease and ultimately death). 2. Suffering is caused by cravings and desires. 3. Suffering can be overcome by eliminating our wants and our desires, leading one on the path towards nirvana. 4. Suffering can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path.

Basic Beliefs Eightfold Path – leads to end of suffering

Sacred Writings/Holy Writings The Tripitaka The Sutras

Religion’s Impact on Society Buddhism supports a society sustained by karma, compassion, and wisdom. Goal of Buddhism: Give a purpose to society, to explain injustice/inequalities, give society a means to find happiness