1. Indian Religion
Element: Explain the development and impact of Hinduism and Buddhism on India and subsequent diffusion of Buddhism.
Vocabulary: Hinduism, Brahman, atman, Dharma, Karma, Samsara, moksha, Siddhartha Gautama, Buddhism, Nirvana

2. Development of Religion
Mahabharata: an epic Arayan tale that told of the struggle to control the southern portion of India
Krishna: one hero from the epic
Many believe that this struggle is what led the founding of Hinduism and Buddhism

3. Hinduism Founder: no single founder, added to over time
based on Aryan religious beliefs
Homeland:
India
vast majority of Indian people are Hindus

4. Hinduism God: Hindu’s worship many gods
Brahman = ultimate reality (God)
Hindu gods and goddesses
gave ordinary Hindus a way to express their religious feelings
three chief deities
Brahma the Creator
Vishnu the Preserver
Siva the Destroyer

5. Hinduism Sacred Writings:
Vedas = collections of hymns and ceremonies passed down orally by Aryan priests and later written down
knowledge comes from the Vedas

6. Hinduism: Key Beliefs
Dharma: duties you are expected to perform, the ethical way in which you are supposed to behave
Ahimsa: non-violence towards all living things

7. Hinduism: Key Beliefs Reincarnation 500s B.C.
the idea that the individual soul is reborn in a different form after death
after many existences, the soul may fulfill its final goal and unite with Brahman
you may be reborn into a higher or lower caste

8. Hinduism: Key Beliefs Karma an important part in reincarnation
the idea that peoples actions determine:
their form of rebirth
the class into which they are reborn, if they are reborn as a person

9. Hinduism: Key Beliefs caste system
religious basis created by the system of reincarnation
higher caste members worthy of privileges because of good karma
lower classes hoped to improve their social status in future lives if they behaved well in the present

10. \ Hinduism: Key Beliefs Aum (or Om)
represents Brahman, everything that is absolute in the universe \

11. Buddhism Description: sixth century B.C.
new doctrine appeared in northern India
rivaled Hinduism

12. Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama known as the Buddha
“Enlightened One”

13. Buddhism Founder: Legend:
Born into luxury, became shocked when he drove around in his chariot and saw poverty and sickness
Left wife and newborn son to wander around India at age 29
Lived as hermit for 7 years until finally finding enlightenment

14. Buddhism
Homeland:
Northern India
God:
rejects the idea of a deity

15. Buddhism Sacred Writings: Mahayana Sutras The Tripitaka Ceremonies:
Buddha Day

16. Buddhism: Key Beliefs Four Noble Truths:
The truth of suffering (dukkha)
All people suffer and know sadness and sorrow
The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)
People suffer because of their material desires
The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)
Suffering could end by elimination desires
The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)
By following the Eightfold Path one could eliminate desires

17. Buddhism Purpose: To reach nirvana (enlightenment)
ultimate reality
reunion with the Great World Soul
achieving wisdom is a key step
The Middle Way (eightfold path) is important
Away from extremes
Moderation

18. 8 Fold Path

19. Color Symbolism in Buddhism
Blue = coolness, infinity
Black = hate, primordial darkness
White = knowledge, purity
Red = sacred blood, life
Green = balance, harmony
Yellow = earth, renunciation

20. Diffusion of Buddhism The first “great missionary faith”
Spread into Afghanistan by A.D. 1
Spread into China during mid 1st century A.D.
Reached Japan and Korea by A.D. 500

21. Diffusion of Buddhism
Ashoka was the first ruler to send out Buddhist missions to convert other nations, helping the religion spread

22. Diffusion of Buddhism

23. Buddhism Throughout Asia
Japan

24. Buddhism Throughout Asia
China

25. Buddhism Throughout Asia
Vietnam

26. Buddhism Throughout Asia
Thailand
Afghanistan

27. Buddhism v. Hinduism Related to Hinduism Shares belief of:
Karma
(accumulation of good or bad deeds)
Dharma
(but in this case is the teachings of Buddha telling you how to act/live)
Reincarnation
(rebirth)
Differs: Rejection of caste system
taught that all individuals could reach nirvana as a result of their behavior in their current life

28. Video on India

29. 2. Ancient Asian Civilizations
Standard: Identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE.
Essential Question: What were the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE?

30. Assignment
Complete a Hinduism/Buddhism t-chart comparing the 2 religions.
Working in partners, students will complete the India map.
Identify the following geographical features of India:
Hindu Kush
Himalayas
Khyber Pass
Indus River
Ganges River
Brahmaputra River

31. Summarizer
How did India’s geography impact how Buddhism and Hinduism spread?