1. The Beginning of Hinduism

2. Brahmanism
Brahmins memorized Vedas and passed traditions down from generation to generation

3. Beginnings of Hinduism
Indians beliefs began to change
Gurus were thinkers and teachers that left their homes and went into the forest to meditate about life and its big questions:
Ex. Why are we born?
Ex. How should we live?
Their ideas were put into writing (Upanishads)
Vedas and Upanishads became Hinduism’s holy scriptures

4. Epic Poems explained how people should lead their lives as Hindus
Ramayana
Mahabharata
Moral lessons about right and wrong
Importance of loyalty and respect
200,000 lines long
Two families at war for control of kingdom
Moral Issues
Bhagavad-Gita:(“Song of the Lord”) is a sacred section of this poem.

5. Beliefs of Hinduism Reincarnation
The rebirth of the soul in a new body
Karma
Effects of a person’s actions in this and in previous lives
Bad karma brings rebirth into a lower caste or as an animal

6. Beliefs of Hinduism
1 supreme cosmic consciousness, spiritual force, or God, called Brahman
All of the Gods and Goddesses are a form of Brahman
Ex. Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti
Brahman is the source of all things
Every person is born with a soul
The soul is also a form of Brahman

7. Hinduism: 4 Basic Goals in Life
Dharma
A person’s duty or what is right and wrong for them.
Ahimsa: avoid doing harm to any living being
Strive for Well Being
Make a good living with dignity
Pleasure
Cannot be only goal we seek
Moksha
Liberation from reincarnation
Person’s souls becomes one with Brahman
Live forever in state of joy

8. 3 Paths to Moksha 1st Path: Way of Knowledge Brahmins
True understanding of one’s soul
2nd Path: Way of Works
Carrying out religious rituals and duties
Good deeds without expectations
3rd Path: Way of Devotion
Path of love
Worship of Gods and goddesses
Offerings to the Gods

9. Buddhism

10. Siddhartha Quest for Answers
Siddhartha was born a prince, but he questioned the meaning of life.
Determined to find answers using:
Meditation
Fasting
Learning from different teachers
Enlightenment
Found it under the Tree of Wisdom while meditating
Called the Buddha (Enlightened One)
Spent the rest of his life traveling and teaching his ideas

11. Teachings of Buddhism Four Noble Truths
Suffering and unhappiness are a part of human life. No one can escape sorrow. 1.
Suffering comes from our desires for pleasure and material goods. 2.
People can overcome desire and ignorance and reach nirvana, a state of perfect peace. 3.
People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an eightfold path that leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and salvation. 4.

13. Buddhism began in India and then became a major religion.
Buddhism branches out
Asoka, one of the most powerful kings in India, became a Buddhist and spread Buddhism in India and foreign lands.
Buddhist missionaries traveled the world to teach enlightenment.
Buddhism splits
Buddhism split into two main sects: Theravada and Mahayana.
Members of the Theravada followed the Buddha’s teachings exactly.
Members of the Mahayana believed that individual interpretation was important.