1. Hinduism
and
Buddhism
World Studies
May 11

2. Overview of Hinduism
Hinduism is the world’s third most popular religion, with over 900 million followers
About 70%-80% of the population of India regard themselves as Hindus
Hinduism is not a single unified religion
The word Hinduism doesn’t appear in English until Its origins are debatable

3. Beliefs of Hinduism No single founder No single sacred text
The Vedas, Upanishads, and Ramayana are just a few
Polytheistic?
Belief in all powerful God
Many, many incarnations of god

4. Brahma, the Creator

5. Vishnu, the Preserver

6. Shiva, the Destroyer

7. Beliefs of Hinduism
Universe is made up of an unchanging, spiritual force called brahman
Every person has an essential self-atman (soul)
Achieving moksha is the ultimate goal of existence
To become a part of the brahman
Reincarnation-rebirth of the soul-continue working toward moksha

8. Karma Karma-actions in life that affect a person’s fate in next life
Good karma-reborn at higher level of existence
Bad karma-reborn into suffering
“What goes around, comes around.”

9. Dharma To escape the cycle of birth/death Hinduism stresses dharma
Religious and moral duties of an individual
The universe has placed you
Helped ensure social order by supporting caste system

10. Ahimsa Ahimsa-non-violence
All people and things are aspects of brahman; should be respected

11. Beliefs of Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha
Follows the truths he discovered on his path to enlightenment

12. Four noble truths All life is full of suffering, pain and sorrow
Cause of suffering is desire for riches, power and long life
Only cure for suffering is to overcome desire
Way to overcome desire is to follow Eightfold Path

13. Eightfold path To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path
Nirvana-union with the universe and release from cycle of rebirth

14. Comparisons Similarities Differences Stress non-violence
Believe in karma, enlightenment and cycle of rebirth
Differences
The Buddha rejected priests, formal rituals, many gods of Hinduism
Buddhists rejected caste system

15. Buddha – 19c Thailand

16. Buddha’s head :
2c Pakistan