1. HINDUISM, BUDDHISM & SIKHISM

2. Hinduism Strongly tied to: Indian history and culture
Indus Valley Civilization
Aryan culture, language and social organization

3. Indo-European Migration
1500 BCE The Aryans migrate into Indus Valley
Vedas - Sacred literature passed down through oral tradition
Bring Sanskrit - classical Indian language

4. Aryans - Caste System
Dasas did the work no Aryan would do
Varna or skin color was a feature of this system, (varnas)
Later called “castes”
Grew more complex over time

5. Caste was determined at birth
Affected all aspects of social life, including work and marriage
Those considered impure were outside of caste or “untouchables”
Static social system/could not advance
Caste became associated with religion

6. HINDUISM Ancient religion w/origins in the Aryan hymns - the Vedas
Cannot be traced to one founder or set of beliefs
Complex interaction of many deities, evolves over time to be…
Seen as a way of liberating the soul from worldly concerns

7. HINDU TRINITY Brahman -world soul Three natures Brahma - Creator
Shiva - Destroyer
Vishnu - Protector

8. Reincarnation Reincarnation, rebirth and re-death
Karma - good and bad deeds follow you
Dharma - predetermined moral duty, linked to caste, symbol is wheel
Don’t question dharma

9. UPANISHADS Hindu Religious Writings
Seek a single religious truth in the many Hindu deities and rituals
Brahman - world soul
World soul contains and unites all individual souls

10. Ganesha Most Widely Worshipped

11. Hinduism

12. Vishnu the Protector

13. “OM” Represents the Hindu Trinity

14. Swastika - Ancient Hindu Symbol
Well being
Corrupted by Nazis

15. BUDDHISM Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
Born in 663 BCE in Nepal as a local prince
Becomes disenchanted w/ worldly pleasures
Explores Hindu beliefs and tries strict self-denial of the ascetics, but rejects this path
Meditates under Bo Tree, faces temptations
Transformed to the Buddha, “enlightened one”, 45 year ministry

17. Buddhist Beliefs Accept reincarnation, dharma, karma
Reject worship of Hindu Gods
Progress of soul depends on person’s deeds
Four Noble Truths - Life is filled with suffering and sorrow; suffering caused by desire for life’s pleasures; end suffering by ending desire; follow 8 Fold Path

18. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS Life is filled with suffering and sorrow;
suffering caused by desire for life’s pleasures;
end suffering by ending desire;
follow 8 Fold Path

19. THE EIGHT FOLD PATH Right views Right intentions Right speech
Right Action
Right living
Right effort or work
Right mindfulness
Right meditation

20. Goal is to achieve nirvana, not “heaven”, but perfect peace, release from suffering and pain
Release from reincarnation
Opposed by powerful Brahmins
Buddhism declines in India but spreads East and flourishes in China, Japan, Korea and SEA
Monks, nuns,take vows of poverty, chastity

21. Tripitaka Collection of Buddhist Sacred Writings Sermons of Buddha
Interpretation of Buddhist doctrine
Rules of monastic life

22. Buddhist Monks Play a Political Role

23. STUPAS Buddhist monuments Contain relics
Mark the resting place of an enlightened being
Commemorate holy sites
Mark the way for pilgrims

27. SIKHISM 1500 CE Arose in Punjab
Guru Nanak - “God’s Path” between Hindu and Muslim (arose in Hindu culture dominated by Muslim rulers)
Monotheistic religion
Holy Book - Guru Granth Sahib
No caste or use of images in worship
But belief in reincarnation
Headquarters - Golden Temple in Amritsar

28. Guru Granth Sahib The Eternal Teacher

29. What Sikhs believe One God - shapeless timeless and omnipresent
Reincarnation until the soul is ready to unite with God
Guidance of the “ten gurus”from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh
Leading a moral and purposeful life
Defending their faith and protecting the community
Gender equality

30. GURU NANAK

31. Sikhism - Five K’s Readiness to defend a faith under attack
All begin with K in Punjabi
Uncut hair - symbol of strength, uplifted
Comb - orderliness
Dagger - defense (now symbolic)
Steel Bracelet - shield, shackled to God
Shorts - mobility