1. Religions of South Asia
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism

2. Hinduism Today, 13%of world’s population
Oldest organized major religion
Originated in Indus River Valley
Between BCE
Ca. 900 BCE hymns and prayers were recorded in the Rig Veda, the oldest and most sacred of the Vedas.

3. Caste System Over time, society was divided into groups
Brahmins: Priests and scholars
Rulers and warriors
Traders and farmers
Menial laborers and servants
Untouchables,or outcasts

4. Reincarnation Cycle of life and rebirth: Samsara
Karma determines the next life
Dharma is the path to a good rebirth
Some choose to escape the cycle of rebirth by leading ascetic lives (denying themselves pleasure)

5. Four Aims of Hinduism Dharma: righteousness Artha: material prosperity
Kama: gratification of the senses
Moksha: liberation from the cycle of samsara
Supreme goal

6. Dieties (Gods) Henotheistic
One God represented by many manifestations or aspects of that god
Brahman: the creator
Vishnu: preserver/protector
Shiva: the destroyer
Many others
Worshipers may offer gifts and chant mantras believed to summon gods
Hindus often make pilgrimages to sacred sites

7. Buddhism About 6% Born as an offshoot or reform of Hinduism
Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama
Born as a minor prince, ca. 563 BCE
Reality challenged his sheltered ideals
Left his family (and privilege) to wander and question life

8. Legend
While sitting under banyan tree, Gautama passed through four stages of meditation
Attained enlightenment
Buddha: “Enlightened one”

9. Teachings
He did not claim to be divine, nor inspired by divine revelation
Four Noble Truths
Life is filled with anguish (suffering)
Materialism leads to anguish
Nirvana exists
The Eightfold Path leads to Nirvana

10. Eightfold Path
Forbids theft, lying, strong drink, sexual promiscuity, and killing
Stresses that no harm shall be done to any creature

11. Buddhism in Asia In time, Buddhism disappeared in India But spread…
Over the Himalayas to
Tibet (Lamaism)
China (Mahayana)
Japan and China (Zen)
And to SE Asia
(Theravada)

12. Jainism 4.2 million adherents in India
Like Buddhism, grew in environment of Hinduism
Dates to 900 BCE
Jains believe it goes back millions of years

13. Beliefs Immediate consequences of one’s physical and mental behavior
Every soul’s place is determined by its karma
Every Soul is the architect of its own life
A soul freed from its karma has good-consciousness
Infinite knowledge
Infinite perception
Infinite power
Infinite bliss

14. How to? Right view, right knowledge, right conduct Control your senses
Limit your possessions
Don’t waste life
All life worthy of respect
Strive to rise up ladder of spiritual evolution

15. Sikhism Began in 15th century (1400s) in Punjab Founded by Guru Nanak
Controlled by Muslims
Founded by Guru Nanak
“I am not a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim”
Followed by 10 gurus
The Guru Granth Sahib
Scriptures
1604 AD

16. Beliefs and Principles
One God-infinite qualities and names
Reincarnation, with the goal of salvation
Remember God
Brotherhood
The 5s
5 Ks
5 thieves
5 weapons