1. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
BRAHMAN: one single spiritual power that lives in everything
AVATAR: representation of Hindu god or goddess in human or animal form
Hinduism: Major religion from India
Practiced by over 850 million people
One of world’s major religions
Developed from a blend of beliefs from Aryans and Indians over 3,000 years

2. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Deity: god or holy being
HINDUISM
Very complex; brings ideas from many religions
Polytheistic
Worship many gods and goddesses but believe in one main brahman

3. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Moral: doing what is “right”, accepted by culture; “correct”
HINDUISM
Three important Hindu gods: Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu, the Preserver; Shiva, the Destroyer
Believe their deities come to earth as avatars

4. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
REINCARNATION: belief in the rebirth of the soul, often in human or animal form
DHARMA: religious and moral duties of each person
AHIMSA: nonviolence (a main teaching of Hinduism)
Hindus believe life is a spiritual journey
Teachings come from holy texts called Upanishads
Believe every living thing has a soul
Each person will be judged by his or her actions on earth and reincarnated accordingly

5. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
When a Hindu reaches a “perfect” life, he or she becomes one with Brahma and breaks cycle of reincarnation; must follow “dharma”
Believe in non-violence
All people and things are part of Brahman so they don’t eat meat and try not to harm living things

6. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Hinduism in day to day practice:
May worship at temples
May have shrines in homes and make offerings
Practice of Yoga frees soul

7. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Meditate: to focus your thoughts inward to reach spiritual awareness or relaxation
Nirvana: A higher form of existence; lasting peace reached by giving up selfish desires

8. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama
Indian Prince
Had never known suffering, old age, sickness, or death
At age 30 he left palace and saw suffering in the outside world
Gave up his wealth and position in hopes of finding causes of suffering
Traveled for 7 years looking for truth

9. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Fast: to go without food or liquids (other than water) during the day for religious reasons
Coexist: to live or work together
Meditated to seek understanding
Legend says he fasted and meditated under a fig tree for 49 days
He found the answers he was looking for

10. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Gautama spent 45 years traveling in India and sharing his knowledge
He gained many followers
They called him “Enlightened One”, or Buddha
His teachings came to be called Buddhism

11. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Buddha taught that people should avoid extremes in life
Said wish for wealth or power caused unhappiness
Believed people should follow the “Middle Way” or 8-Fold Path

12. Introduction to Buddhism
Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation
Believe you could be “released” from reincarnation by following “Middle Way” and reaching nirvana

13. Introduction to Buddhism
BASIC TEACHINGS:
Act unselfishly
Tell the truth
Avoid violence
All people are equal
Appeals to those in caste system

14. Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Karma: Belief that choices you make in the present will impact the future; “What comes around goes around”
Example: A good choice in this life may mean you have a good outcome later in life OR in a later life. The opposite is true, too.
SHARED BELIEFS:
Hindus and Buddhists believe in nonviolence and idea that it’s not okay to harm others
Some Hindus believe Buddha is a reincarnation of Vishnu, the preserver
Both believe in Karma