Hinduism and Buddhism Global Studies 9 - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Hinduism and Buddhism

Global Studies 9Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Bernier

Founder and Region of Origin

Hinduism has no single founder. It developed and changed over 3500 years, growing out of the varied beliefs of the diverse peoples who settled in India.

Founder and Origin

One of these groups was the nomadic Aryans who entered India and settled along the Ganges River in about 1500 B.C.

Roots of Hinduism

Most of what historians know about the Aryans, came from the Vedas, a collection of prayers, hymns, and other religious teachings.

Roots of Hinduism: The Vedas

The Vedas show that the Aryans were polytheistic, worshipping forces of nature such as the sky and sun, storm and fire. They also honored animals such as monkey gods and snake gods.

Beliefs of Hinduism

Hindus believe in one unifying spirit, Brahman. The goal of life is to achieve union with Brahman.

Beliefs of Hinduism: Different Gods

Hindus worship gods that give concrete form to Brahman. The most important Hindu gods are Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu the Preserver; and Shiva, the Destroyer.

Beliefs of Hinduism: Reincarnation

Most people cannot achieve this union with Brahman in one lifetime, so the soul of a person is reborn in a new body, after his or her

death. This is called reincarnation.

Beliefs of Hinduism: Karma and Dharma

A person can come closer to union with Brahman by obeying the law of karma. Karma consists of all the deeds of a person’s life that affect his or her existence in the next life.

Good deeds involve following dharma, the moral and religious duties that are expected of an individual.

Beliefs of Hinduism: The Caste System

The caste system is an important part of Hinduism. Castes are social groups into which people are born, and out of which they cannot move during a lifetime. A person may, however, by acquiring good karma, be born into a higher caste in the next

life. The lowest-ranked people at the bottom of the social system were known as

Untouchables

.

Sacred Writings of Hinduism

Over several thousand years, Hindu teachings were developed and recorded in a number of sacred texts. These include the Vedas and the

Upanishads, philosophical writings about Hindu beliefs.

Buddhism: Founder and Region

Buddhism, like Hinduism was founded in India by Siddhartha Gautama. He was a Hindu prince, who led an easy life. One day he came across a sick person, an old person, and a dead body. It was the first time in his life he became aware of human suffering.

Buddhism: Founder, Siddhartha Gautama

Gautama wandered for years, fasting and meditating. One day he sat under a giant tree, determined to stay there until he understood the meaning of life. For 48 days he meditated, and then suddenly he believed that he understood the cause of and the cure for suffering and sorrow. When he got up again, he was Gautama no longer, but Buddha, the “Enlightened One”.

Beliefs of Buddhism

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – The central philosophy of Buddhism revolves around the Four Noble Truths. These are:

1. All life is suffering.2. Suffering is caused by desire for

things that are

illusions

.

3. The way to eliminate suffering

is

to eliminate desire.

4

. Following the Eightfold Path

will

help

people overcome desire

.

Beliefs of Buddhism

THE EIGHTFOLD PATH – The Eightfold Path involves right views, right intentions, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation. The ultimate goal is nirvana, union with the universe and release from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Buddhism: Sacred Book

After the Buddha died, his teachings were collected into the

Tripitaka, or “Three Baskets of Wisdom”.

Buddhism accepts the Hindu ideas of karma, dharma, and reincarnation. However, Buddhism rejects the many Hindu gods as well as the rituals and priesthood of Hinduism. Buddhists do, however, accept the idea of religious communities that include monks and nuns. Buddhism also rejected the caste system.

Hinduism and Buddhism Compared