1. OF THE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS
RELIGIONS
OF THE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS

2. Essential Question: What are the major differences between the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism?

3. The Religions of Ancient India
The people of the Indus River Valley developed two major religions that are still practiced today: Hinduism and Buddhism

4. HINDUISM

5. BASIC BELIEFS OF HINDUISM
Hinduism is based on the search for “perfect understanding” and liberation from the human world
This “perfect understanding” is called moksha (also known as nirvana or enlightenment)

6. Only those in the upper portion of the caste system (the Brahmins) can achieve moksha

7. Hindus believe in reincarnation (people are reborn into another form)
Moving up in the caste system depends on fulfilling dharma (duty) and gaining karma (doing good deeds)

8. Hindus believe in thousands of gods, but three are considered supreme
HINDU GODS
Hindus believe in thousands of gods, but three are considered supreme
There is Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer

9. The most important of these texts are Vedas and Upanishads
There is no single Hindu text (like the Christians’ Bible), but rather several written works that explore Hindu philosophy
The most important of these texts are Vedas and Upanishads

10. The caste system as well as the religious beliefs of Hinduism had enormous impact on the lives of Hindus

11. The caste structure and the religious beliefs determined personal cleanliness, how to eat, what to wear, who to associate with, and so on
Even today, Hindus turn to their religion for guidance in normal daily activities

12. BUDDHISM

13. Read the Buddhist quote below
Read the Buddhist quote below. Based on that, how do you think Buddhism differs from Hinduism?
“Let him not despise what he has received, nor should he live envying the gains of others. The disciple who envies the gains of others does not attain concentration.”
—Buddhist scripture, The Dhammapada (Verses of Righteousness)

14. Siddhartha Gautama was the son of a noble family in Nepal
ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM
Siddhartha Gautama was the son of a noble family in Nepal
He abandoned noble life at age 29 to search for religious truth and an end to life’s suffering
Siddhartha wandered India for six years; he fasted, debated with holy men, and meditated

15. After meditating for 49 days, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment
From this moment on, he was known as “Buddha” or “Enlightened One”
Buddha delivered a sermon on his understanding of the cause of the world’s suffering
These ideas were called the “Four Noble Truths”

16. Like the Hindus, the Buddhists believe in moksha (nirvana or enlightenment) and reincarnation
However, the Buddhists rejected the idea of the caste system and the idea that only Brahmins can achieve moksha

17. The “Four Noble Truths” are the most significant teaching of Buddhism

18. Buddhists believe they can achieve enlightenment by following the Eight-Fold Path

19. Hindus in the lowest castes and women were attracted to the ideas of Buddhism; unlike Hinduism, where only the elites can achieve enlightenment, anyone can achieve enlightenment in Buddhism

20. Missionaries spread Buddhism throughout Asia

21. JUDAISM

22. The Hebrews originated in an area near Mesopotamia called Canaan (modern day Israel)
The religion and moral laws of the Hebrews (later called Jews) would have an enormous influence on Western culture

23. According to Hebrew belief, God chose Abraham, a shepherd from Mesopotamia, to be the “father” of the Hebrews
God commanded Abraham to lead his people to Canaan, which was the Hebrews’ “promised land”

24. This agreement between God and Abraham was called a covenant
As Abraham and his family traveled from Ur in Mesopotamia to Canaan, God watched over them
Abraham promised that he and his descendents would obey God; in return, God would protect them
This agreement between God and Abraham was called a covenant

25. God commanded a Hebrew named Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt
Hundreds of years after Abraham, the Hebrews migrated to Egypt to avoid a famine; they were enslaved by the Egyptian pharaohs
God commanded a Hebrew named Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt

26. In return for God’s help in escaping Egypt, Moses agreed to a new covenant: the Hebrews must obey the Ten Commandments
The monotheistic (single god-worship) Hebrews wandered the Sinai Desert for 40 years before returning to Canaan, where Abraham had lived
This is when the Hebrews made the change from nomads to settled farmers, herders, and city dwellers

27. The Torah is respected by Christians as part of the Old Testament
This early history of the Hebrews was recorded in the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible
The Torah is respected by Christians as part of the Old Testament
The Torah is written on scrolls and kept in an ornamental chest called an ark

28. The emphasis of right moral conduct and worshipping one God is a Hebrew idea that has massively influenced human behavior for thousands of years through Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

30. Closure Activity
Complete the comparison chart on the back of your notes
What are the characteristics of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism?
Be prepared to answer some discussion questions when finished