1. Hinduism and Buddhism Develop

2. 1/5th of the world practice either Hinduism or Buddhism

3. Origins of Hinduism
Collection of religious beliefs that developed slowly over time
No one founder w/ a single set of ideas

4. Key Beliefs
Each person has “atman”-soul united w/ all others in Brahman (world soul)
Reincarnation
Karma
Enlightenment is final goal (freed from earthly desires)
Dharma: divine law that requires all to do their duty

5. Gods Brahma -The creator Vishnu -The preserver of the universe Shiva
-The destroyer
MANY GODS-Choose god to worship

7. Sacred Literature The Vedas -Four collections
Most important is the Rig Veda
-Contains 1,028 hymns to Aryan gods

8. “He who gives liberally goes straight to the gods; on the high ridge of heaven he stands exalted.”
Rig Veda

9. Effects on Society Karma & reincarnation strengthened the caste system
Dominates daily life
What you eat
Personal cleanliness
People with whom you associate
How you dressed

10. Modern Day Traditions Ganges River-Sacred to Hindus
-Bathe in water to purify self
Place of worship: home or temple (shrines)
Yoga
The Sacred “Om” or “Aum”
Swastika=good luck symbol meaning “well-being”

11. The Sacred OM or Aum

12. Yoga
Means “union”
Goal is to leave behind the cycle of earthly life and achieve union w/ Brahman
Dreamless sleep
“When all the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, that, say the wise, is the highest state.”
Shiva in a yoga meditation

13. Swastika
Unfortunately, the swastika symbol is best known to most westerners as a Nazi symbol.
For the past 3,000 years it represented life, sun, power, strength, and good luck.
Common symbol in India
Considered extremely holy by all Hindus
Regularly used to decorate all sorts of items to do with Hindu culture.
It can be seen on the sides of temples and on religious scripture to gift items and letterhead.

14. Hindu symbol Nazi symbol The Reichstag when Hitler took office.
March 21, 1933

15. Jainism Everything has a soul and should not be harmed
Tolerance and non-violence
Work in trade/commerce
Founder: Mahavira
Believe we can know only part of the truth

16. Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama Sought to end human suffering
First followed example of the ascetics
Turned to period of meditation
Achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha

18. Beliefs 4 noble truths (p. 78-79) Reincarnation
Eightfold path to attain enlightenment (p ) or nirvana

20. The Middle Way: The Eightfold Path
Right Views
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

21. Why is the Eightfold Path called the Middle Way?
It avoids the extremes of self-indulgence.
Associate w/ others who were on the path

23. Gods No gods Rejected the multitude of gods of Hinduism
Gautama forbade followers to worship him or him image after death

24. Sacred Literature Teachings of Buddha
Commentaries, rules of monastic life, meditation manuals, legends

25. Effects on Society Rejects the caste system
Has religious communities of monks and nuns
Spread to Burma, Thailand, Sumatra, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, SE Asia and China through trade
Pilgrimages to spots associated with Buddha’s life

26. Why would Buddhism appeal to laborers and craftspeople?
They are of a lower caste, and Buddhism rejects the caste system.

27. Why is there a link between trade and religions?
Traders travel extensively, bringing new objects and ideas with them and learning from other cultures.

28. Symbols of Buddhism
Wheel of Law
Represents endless cycle of life

29. Lotus Flower
The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.