1. Religions of Ancient India
Chapter 6.2

2. Origins of Hinduism One of the world’s oldest
3rd largest religion after Chrisitianity and Islam
Developed by the Aryans
Started off as Brahmanism
Sacred writings called the Vedas

3. Vedas Had to be memorized by Brahmin priests Spoken out loud
After Aryans developed writing, the Vedas were written down in Sanskrit

4. What is Hinduism?
Universal spirit called Brahman

5. Hinduism Ancient texts known as Upanishads
Describe the search for Brahman
Says every living thing has a soul and is part of Brahman
At death, the soul leaves the body and joins with Brahman

6. Brahma
The Creator

7. Vishnu
The Preserver

8. Shiva
The Destroyer

9. Reincarnation Rebirth of the Soul Soul passes through many lives
Before reaching Brahman

10. Karma People’s status Based on past lives
What a person does in previous life will decide how they are reborn
If a person has bad karma, they are reborn in a lower form
When good people die, they are reborn in a higher form of life

11. Dharma
Personal duty to earn a better existence in the next life

12. How beliefs shape society
All life is sacred
Animals as well as people were treated with kindness and respect
Made Indians more accepting of varna system
A person who leads a good life is reborn into a higher jati

13. Rise of Buddhism Some Indians were not happy with Hinduism
Some left their homes and looked for peace

14. Buddhism Buddhism is one of the world’s major religions
Most Buddhist live in SE Asia and E Asia
Only a few live in India
Buddha’s birthplace

15. Siddhartha Gautama Became known as the Buddha
Founded a new religion call Buddhism

16. Siddhartha Gautama Born c.563 B.C. in Nepal Was a rich prince
Left is wife and newborn son to explore life
Shocked at the misery of people
For the first time he realized the world was filled with suffering
Became a monk
Stopped to meditate
Gained followers

17. What did Buddha teach?
Believed the world of the spirit was more important than the everyday world
People suffer because they care too much about the wrong things
Fame, money, and personal possessions lead to greed or anger
Taught the 4 Noble Truths

18. Four Noble Truths 1. Life is full of suffering
2. people suffer because they desire
worldly things and want to satisfy
themselves
3. The way to end suffering is to stop
desiring things.
4. The only way to stop desiring things is
following the Eightfold Path

19. Eightfold Path to Enlightment
1. Know and understand the Four Noble Truths
2. Give up worldly things and do not harm others
3. Tell the truth, do not gossip, and do not speak badly of others
4. Do not commit evil acts, such as killing, stealing, or living an unclean life.
5. Do rewarding work
6. Work for good and oppose evil
7. Make sure your mind keeps your senses under control
8. practice meditation to see the world in a new way

20. Buddhism
When people are free from earthly concerns, they reach nirvana-state of perfect peace
Welcomed all people
Placed little importance on varna system
Believed in reincarnation
People would reach the end of cycle of rebirth by following 8 Fold Path

21. Buddhism Many Untouchables and Indians in lower jati accepted Buddhism
For the first time they had hope of reaching enlightenment

22. Buddhist divide Theravada-believe Buddha is a great teacher
Mahayana-teaches Buddha is a god

23. Jainism Developed by Mahavira Became known as Jina-or conqueror
Practice nonviolence toward ALL living things

24. Gandhi Led a nonviolent struggle against British rule
Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.