1. Hinduism & Buddhism
Part 1: Hinduism

2. Origins of Hinduism:
Develops from Indo-Aryan Vedic & Brahmin traditions.
The Rigveda contains creation myths – Universe divided into three spheres: Heaven, Earth & Underworld.
Sacrifice was needed to gain favor from the gods and protection from demons (Asuras) that caused evil.

3. The Upanishads:
Between 750 B.C. & 550 B.C. a number of Brahmins, priests or gurus (teachers) contemplated the Vedas and sought new answers to eternal questions: What is the nature of reality? What is morality? Is there eternal life? What is the soul?
The answers, written in the form of dialogue between teacher & leaner, are the Upanishads.

4. Brahma is the supreme god, the World Soul, creator and source of all.

5. Brahma had two other main aspects:
Vishnu – the Protector
Shiva – the Destroyer
Also had many other forms.

6. Life is an illusion (maya), it is the soul (atman) that is important.
The soul must undergo reincarnation and rebirth (samsara) until the soul understands the relationship between itself, life & the universe. At this point enlightenment (perfect understanding) is achieved and the soul is free (moksha.)

7. Reincarnation & Caste:
Moksha (freedom of the soul) takes generations to achieve.
The souls progress is measured by karma – the accumulation of good and bad deeds.
Karma follows from incarnation to incarnation & determines caste, health, wealth or poverty.
Attention to dharma, religious duty or obligation, determines how one lives & acts within their caste.

8. The Caste System showing the Varna or classes:
Brahmins, Ksatriyas
and Vaishyas known
as “twice born” souls.
Mouth – Brahmins (priests)
Arms – Kshatriyas
(nobles & warriors)
Legs – Vaishyas
(farmers & merchants)
Feet – Shudras
(laborers & servants)
Harijan or Dalits: (The Untouchables) – those who dealt with waste & the dead.

9. Caste continued:
Caste and dharma determined dietary practices, rituals of physical and spiritual cleanliness and purification, social relationships, dress and occupations.
A Hindu has three paths to achieve release and true knowledge – right action & deeds, devotion, and the renunciation of the world through an ascetic life.
Urged practice of spiritual exercises and yoga induced trances to achieve unity with the Absolute.

10. Part 2: Jainism & Buddhism
Hinduism & Buddhism
Part 2: Jainism & Buddhism

11. Jainism: Founded by Vardhamana Mahavira between 599 B.C. & 527 B.C.
A more rigorous form of Hinduism – all things in the universe have a soul & should not be harmed.
Total pacifists & tolerant of all religions - no proselytizing.
Tend to work only in the careers of trade & commerce.

12. Buddhism: Developed between 563 B.C. & 483 B.C.
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama – son of a Kshatriya family from N.E. India.
Siddhartha was unhappy with the Hindu caste system – saw it as unfair – and was disturbed the suffering he observed in daily life.
Spent six years seeking answers before experiencing bodhissatva (enlightenment.)

13. The Four Noble Truths: The Four Noble Truths Life Means Suffering
The Origin of
Suffering is
Attachment
The Cessation of
Attainable
There is a Path to
The Cessation
Of Suffering

14. The Eightfold Path: Buddhism rejects the Hindu pantheon of
gods and the caste
system.
Right
Concentration
Mindfulness
Effort
Livelihood
Right Action
Right Speech
Intention
Right View
The Eightfold
Path
By following the
Eightfold Path you
can achieve Nirvana,
the release from
selfishness and pain &
from the cycle of
reincarnation.
The Monks and the
laity are known
as the sangha. Together
With the Buddha and the
dharma they make up the
Three Jewels. Faith is
Affirmed daily by the
Following declaration:
“I take refuge in the
Buddha. I take refuge in
the law. I take refuge in
the community.
Accepting the Four
Noble Truths & the
Eightfold Path is the
dharma – Buddhist
doctrine or law.

15. Buddhism passed on through the teachings of monks and later nuns who took vows of poverty and celibacy.
Buddhism develops two main denominations .
Theravada: strict ascetic life following the Buddha’s teachings to achieve nirvana. The enlightened Buddha was a mortal teacher who ceased to exist after death.
Mahayana: Advanced the view that the Buddha is an eternal, compassionate, savior god. Enlightenment opened to all Buddhists through the aid of enlightened bodhissatva’s.