1. Far East Religions

2. India is the origin of TWO of the world’s major religions, Hinduism & Buddhism. Both religions had major impacts on Indian culture & history!

3. Hinduism

4. Origin / Founder
India
No definable point/person where it can be traced

5. Principles World’s oldest religion Largest polytheistic religion
Universal soul/deity known as Brahman
Goal is to merge with Brahman after a series of reincarnations.
This is obtained by works, knowledge or devotion.

6. These gods can take many different forms, both human and animal.
The most important Hindu gods are:
Brahma - the Creator
Vishnu - the Preserver
Shiva - the Destroyer
These gods can take many different forms, both human and animal.
What can we infer
about Hinduism?
Mono vs. Poly?

7. Hindus believe in reincarnation – a belief in a cycle of life, death & rebirth.
Process continues until soul reaches state of Nirvana (eternal bliss) with Brahman.

8. **These concepts combined to help create the Caste System!
Karma – relates to the cause/effect of nature
Dharma – ideas of a person’s duty & the need to fulfill that duty
**These concepts combined to help create the Caste System!

9. Holy Text
Vedas
Upanishads
Bhagaad-Gita

10. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are epic Hindu poems
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are epic Hindu poems. The Mahabharata, the longest poem ever written, tells the story of a religious war between two tribes. The painting below shows a scene from the poem.

11. Diffusion Trade, education & teaching of priests
Spread throughout India & SE Asia
Trade, education & teaching of priests
In SE Asia it coexisted with Buddhism (lost its influence)

12. These Hindu characteristics led the basic development of the Indian Caste System. This system helped provide order and stability to the Indian society.

13. Buddhism

14. Origin
India
Incorporated much of Hinduism in its practice

15. Founder Siddhartha Gautama The Buddha
“The Enlightened One”
Believed the cause for all suffering is desire

16. Gautama was raised as an Indian prince in a lifestyle of luxury and comfort. He encountered the misery & suffering of the poor in the streets, and he began questioning the meaning of life. Gautama left his city & wandered throughout the land, where he experienced the pain, suffering, grief & sickness experienced by all mankind. As a result, he developed compassion for all & sought ways to eliminate these hardships.
Guatam Buddah (4:29)

17. Principles Desire (selfishness) is the cause for all suffering
Teaches reincarnation but it is NOT always seen as a “rebirth”
Places great emphasis on:
man’s actions
his ability to think properly
to coexist in harmony with forces of the universe
Nirvana – lasting peace

18. Buddhism does not hold to a belief in a god, therefore many view Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion.

19. Holy Text(s) Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path Right Understanding
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

20. Diffusion Spread to SE/E Asia Actively seeks to covert others
Missionaries (monks) began to spread Buddha’s teachings & trade along Silk Road
Growth during Maurya Empire (Asoka) & the Gupta Empire

21. The Buddha believed the caste system to be unjust
The Buddha believed the caste system to be unjust. It was believed that a person’s good and bad actions, not his birth, should determine their caste.
Therefore, for this reason, Buddhism was never widely accepted in India.

22. Map of India Use maps in Google Classroom
Only label/color what is given in the directions!