1. HINDUISM
The religion of Hinduism developed and evolved over a long time in India, giving rise to a variety of beliefs and practices and to other religions, including Buddhism

2. Basic Teachings of Hinduism
Three devas- Brahma, Vishnu, Siva -are particularly influential. Some believe in thousands; others worship only one as the true manifestation of Brahman.
One of the world’s oldest religions, Hinduism, is practiced by most people in India today. Hinduism evolved over thousands of years and was influenced by the cultures and traditions of many peoples. However a few fundamental teachings are shared by nearly all Hindus.
Among most basic tenets of Hinduism, belief in Brahman, eternal being that created, preserves world
Brahman all-encompassing
Many believe human mind incapable of understanding
Brahman
Basic Teachings of Hinduism
Hindus believe each person has atman, soul, aspect of Brahman
Atman shapes personality, cannot be destroyed, even by death
Devas, manifestations of Brahman, active in world, helping maintain order in nature
Atman

3. Rebirth and Salvation Pattern of Life
Hindus believe universe, everyone in it, part of continual pattern of birth, death, and rebirth
After death atman reborn in process called reincarnation, or samsara
Dharma
With moksha, atman leaves world, reunites fully with Brahman
To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations
By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle
New Life
Nature of person’s new life shaped by karma—sum effect of deeds, actions
Good karma, reincarnated to better station in life; bad karma, lower station in life
Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, escape from cycle of rebirth
Rebirth and Salvation

4. Sacred Texts and Practices
Much of Hinduism’s evolution stemmed from a number of sacred writings produced over centuries.
Teachings, practices based on many texts, most sorted into one of three categories
The Vedas
Later writings inspired by the Vedas
Sacred epics
The Vedas, sacred hymns of praise, among earliest sacred texts of Hinduism
Sacred Texts
Name means “knowledge” in Sanskrit
Hindus consider Vedas to contain eternal knowledge not written by humans, revealed to them by Brahman
Parts of Vedas date back more than 3,000 years
Considered core of Hinduism even today
Sacred Texts and Practices

5. Upanishads Ramayana, Mahabharata
Other sacred texts based on themes in the Vedas, but composed by sages, including two epic poems, Ramayana and Mahabharata
Each tells story, reflects on living according to Vedic teachings
Included in Mahabharata, most sacred of all Hindu texts, the Bhagavad Gita, addressing many aspects of Hindu belief, philosophy
Upanishads
Sacred texts that built upon the Vedas appeared
Some, such as Upanishads, also believed to have been revealed rather than written by people
Upanishads philosophical reflections on the Vedas, dealing with nature of world, meaning of life

6. Meditation, Pilgrimages Hindu Religious Practices
To help meditate, Hindus practice series of integrated physical, mental exercises called yoga
Yoga teaches people how to focus bodies, minds to aid meditation, help attain moksha
Hindus also make pilgrimages to Ganges River to purify, remove bad karma
Meditation, Pilgrimages
Hindu beliefs vary widely, religious practices vary as well; worship can take place anywhere
At temples, priests might recite, read portions of the Vedas; image of a deva sometimes carried out of temple to people
At home, food, drink, gifts offered for deva; meditation, silent reflection
Worship
Hindu Religious Practices

7. KEY BACKGROUND TERMS Hinduism POLYTHEISM
__________________: the largest religion in India
____________________: the belief in many gods.
POLYTHEISM

8. DHARMA A person’s spiritual duties and obligations
Following one’s dharma yields good karma and eventual liberation from reincarnation

9. KARMA The sum total of a person’s actions (both good and bad)
Good people will be reincarnated to a better station in the next life

10. REINCARNATION (SAMSARA)
The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth a person must follow
If you could be
reincarnated (or
perhaps you already
believe this), what would
you want to return as?

11. So How Do I Get Out? Moksha
____________ = release from the cycle of reincarnation
Release from worldly cares
Must fulfill your dharma to
achieve Moksha and reach
peace with Brahma

12. Hindu gods Brahma Vishnu Shiva
BRAHMAN (the creator) is the main god and all other gods are manifestations of him
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva

13. JAINISM

14. Jainism
New Religion
500 BC, group of Hindus broke away, founded new religion called Jainism
Led by teacher Mahavira, Jains thought most Hindus put too much emphasis on ritual
Ritual Unnecessary
Jains thought ritual unnecessary
People could achieve moksha by giving up worldly things, carefully controlling actions
Nonviolence
Central to Jain teaching, idea of ahimsa, nonviolence
Most Hindus also practiced ahimsa, but not to same extent
Jains carefully avoid harming living creatures, are usually vegetarians

15. Other Traits Lifestyle Principles Jains promise to tell only truth
Avoid stealing
Strive to eliminate greed, anger, prejudice, gossip from lives
These things can prevent person from achieving moksha
Most devout become monks, nuns, give up possessions
Live outdoors, seek shelter only during rainy months
Cover mouths with masks, sweep ground to avoid accidentally killing insects
Lifestyle
Most Jains not monks, nuns
Pledge to uphold principles of ahimsa, have careers that do not involve harming of animals
Jainism calls for periodic fasting, especially during festivals, on holy days; limiting worldly possessions
Principles
Other Traits

16. BUDDHISM
Began in the 5th Century B.C.
SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

17. Buddha’s Enlightenment
In addition to Hinduism, another of the world’s major religions developed in ancient India. That religion was Buddhism.
Much of what is known about life of the Buddha from accounts in Buddhist literature
Gautama born 500s BC
Prince of small kingdom in what is now Nepal
Led sheltered life
Unaware of hardship
Life changed when learned people got old, sick, died
Early Life
Gautama resolved to find way to overcome age, sickness, keep people from suffering
Gave up possessions, left palace
Sought enlightenment, spiritual understanding for six years
Studied with gurus, monks but decided they could not teach way to enlightenment
Buddha’s Enlightenment
The Life of the Buddha

18. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA
From Prince…
…To Ascetic

19. Gautama was determined to find way to end human suffering
Sat under tree, no teachers, no companions, determined not to arise until he found way
Stories say he meditated all night
Resolve tested by violent storms, earthly temptations
At daybreak, had been transformed, found enlightenment, became the Buddha, Enlightened One
Temple built where he meditated, Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism’s most sacred places

20. The Teachings of Buddhism
Suffering part of human life
Suffering from people’s desires for pleasure, material goods
Overcoming desires during life eventually brings end to suffering
Desires can be overcome by following Eightfold Path
Four Noble Truths
After enlightenment achieved, Buddha meditated at Bodh Gaya seven weeks
Set out to spread to others what he had learned
Lessons became basic teachings of Buddhism
Among ideas learned in meditation, central truths, called Four Noble Truths
Buddhist Beliefs
The Teachings of Buddhism

21. BODH GAYA Mahabodhi Temple
Built as a shrine to Siddhartha Gautama on the very spot he meditated to reach Enlightenment.

22. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS Suffering is a part of human life1. 2. 3. 4.
Suffering is a part of human life
Suffering comes from desires
for pleasure/material goods
Overcoming worldly desires
brings suffering to an end
Desires are overcome by
following the Eightfold Path

23. EIGHTFOLD PATH Series of Steps Leading to Enlightenment, Salvation
Right view, or accepting the reality of the Four Noble Truths
Right attitude, or striving for moderation in all things
Right speech, avoiding lies, boasts, and hurtful words
Right action, or treating others fairly
Right livelihood, avoiding jobs that could bring harm to others
Right effort, or constantly trying to improve oneself
Right mindfulness, or remaining aware of world around one
Right concentration, or ignoring temptation and discomfort while meditating

25. Nirvana
The Buddha taught that those who followed Eightfold Path could attain nirvana
State of perfect peace in which soul freed from suffering forever
Those not attaining nirvana reborn to live through cycle of suffering again
Basic teachings of Eightfold Path, Middle Way—living in moderation, avoiding extremes of comfort, discomfort in search for nirvana

26. BUDDHISM MIDDLE WAY → Yin Yang → → REBIRTH
SPOKES = _____________________
CIRCLE = _________________________ →
Yin Yang → →
REBIRTH

27. Divisions of Buddhism Theravada Mahayana Tibetan “Way of the Elders”
After the Buddha’s death, differing opinions arose concerning the correct teachings and practices of Buddhism. Eventually three main Buddhist traditions formed—Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan.
“Way of the Elders”
Oldest tradition
Best way to attain nirvana: be monk, nun, meditate
Find one path to enlightenment; very much an individual religion
Theravada
Teaches people can help each other find enlightenment
Not necessary to be monk, nun
Bodhisattvas, enlightened people not yet passed to nirvana, help others
Mahayana
Shares many Mahayana teachings
Also believes special techniques can harness spiritual energy, lead to nirvana in single lifetime
Tibetan
Divisions of Buddhism