1. Hinduism

2. Hinduism One of the oldest religions in history Founder- unknown
Origins- Northwest India
When? About 3500 years ago
930 million Hindus living in India today (about 80% of the Indian population)
13.4% Muslims, 2.3% Christians, 1.9 % Sikhs, Buddhists (6 million), and others less than 2 percent.

4. Caste System Hinduism
What is it? Social categories, social rankings of the people
Caste determined at birth
You were born into your caste, it was near impossible to move out
Men considered higher than women
One’s caste determined- friends, jobs, spouse, food, everything in life
Officially outlawed but still takes place in many peasant areas

5. The Major Groups
Brahmins-
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas-
Shudras-
Dalits-

6. Brahmins The Highest Class- Priests and Teachers
Life dedicated to learning and passing on the sacred writings (Vedas, etc.)

7. Kshatriyas- Warriors/Nobles
The ruling class
Warriors and Nobles
Their duty was to protect the Brahmins and India

8. Vaisya The Farmer and Merchant Class.
Made up a good portion of the country
Almost at the bottom of the class system

9. Shudras The Laborers Class
These were the unskilled workers and servants.

10. Dalits The Untouchables Not fit to be in the caste system
These folks had it the hardest of the castes
(8:13)

11. Untouchables

12. Beliefs
Goal: To reach Moksha- a state of perfect understanding of all things
How to reach goal: To reach Moksha one must free themselves from worldly desires
Worship, knowledge, virtuous acts
Karma- one’s deeds affect later in life or in another life
Reincarnation- rebirth of your soul

13. Leaders and Holy books and Sites
Gurus- spiritual teachers
Vedas- oldest scriptures- collection of prayers, spells, and rituals
Ganges River- holy river which is to cleanse, purify, cure ailments

14. Buddhism

15. Siddhartha Gautama 563- 483 B.C.
Founder of Buddhism (born into nobility) Was Hindu
Spent his life searching for religious truth and an end to suffering
Sought enlightenment or wisdom
Found enlightenment under a large fig tree!

16. Beliefs Four Noble Truths Everything in life is suffering
The cause of suffering is people’s selfish desire for wealth
End suffering by ending desires
To find enlightenment follow the Middle Way and the Eightfold Path

17. The Middle Way Road between desires and self-denial
Live a life of MODERATION!

18. The Five Precepts: (1) Do not kill. (or harm anyone) (2) Do not steal.
(3) Do not lie. (gossip or mistreat others)
(4) Do not misuse sex. (committing adultery, prostitution)
(5) Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. The main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind.

19. More Beliefs Nirvana- Reincarnation
Ultimate goal for Buddhists
Perfect state of understanding
Release from selfishness and pain
Reincarnation
Rebirth of your soul
Rejected the caste system of Hinduism
Believe that all people are equal
DO NOT worship any gods

20. Religious Community
Buddhist monks and nuns- those who dedicate their entire lives to the teachings of Buddhism
Lead a life of poverty, meditation, and study
Non-violence and do not marry

21. What do both these religions have in common?
Hinduism
Comparisons
Buddhism
Created in India
Founded by Siddhartha Guatama (who was a prince in the hindu faith)
NO GODS and all people are equal
He believed in reincarnation and karma
In order to reach enlightenment or nirvana, one must give you the desire for riches, wealth
All suffering in the world is because of the desire for useless things
Created in India
No one founder
Believe in social ranking called the caste system
Believe in reincarnation and karma
Holy animal is the cow
Holy river is the Ganges River
Religious leaders = gurus
Moksha = the ultimate place for them
Many gods
What do both these religions have in common?