World History: Lesson 4: Hinduism & Buddhism
Religion
Hinduism
Origin
Brought
into India
by Aryan
tribes and
evolved
over
centuries
Followers
900
million,
mostly in
India
(symbol for the
sacred sound
"ohm")
Buddhism
(Symbol's eight
sections
represent the
Eightfold Path
to
Enlightenment)
Founded
by
Siddharta
Gautama
(the
Buddha)
c. 520
BC, in NE
India.
360
million,
mostly in
China and
East Asia
God(s)
Purpose of life
Afterlife
Practices
Sacred texts
One Supreme Entity
(Brahman)
manifested in many
gods and goddesses
to ease man's ability
to relate; has
elements of both
monotheism (the
singularity of
Brahman) and
polytheism (the
many gods and
goddesses that are
the different "faces"
of Brahman)
To live a life
where one meets
one's dharma
(responsibilities)
thereby
establishing good
karma (reward
or punishment)
and ensuring
rebirth in the
next life as a
higher form of
life. Ultimate
goal is to break
the cycle of
rebirth
altogether.
Yoga,
meditation,
personalized
worship,
devotion to a
particular god
or goddess,
pilgrimage to
holy cities, live
according to
one's dharma
(purpose/
role).
The Vedas,
Upanishads,
Bhagavad
Gita,
Mahabharata,
Ramayana,
etc.
Depends on the
branch of
Buddhism; some
branches are
atheistic (believe in
no god) while
others are
polytheistic
(believe in many
gods)
Purpose is to
avoid suffering
and gain
enlightenment
and release from
cycle of rebirth,
or at least attain
a better rebirth,
through
acknowledging
the Four Noble
Truths and trying
to walk the
Eightfold Path.
After death the
soul is
reincarnated
(reborn in
another physical
form) based on
one's karma from
the previous
lifetime. Ultimate
goal is to live so
good a life that
enlightenment is
attained and the
cycle of
reincarnation is
broken and
"oneness" with
Brahman is
achieved (called
moksha)
Reincarnation
until one gains
enlightenment (in
this case, called
nirvana)
Meditation,
recitation of
mantras,
devotion to
deities (in
some sects),
creation of
mandalas
(geometric
patterns
symbolic of the
universe)
Tripitaka (Pali
Canon);
Mahayana
sutras like
the Lotus
Sutra; others.
BUDDHA IS NOT A
GOD AND IS NOT
WORSHIPPED! HE
IS A PROPHET, OF
SORTS, AND
MERELY CARRIES
THE MESSAGE.
NO
CENTRAL
HOLY TEXT!
NO
CENTRAL
HOLY TEXT!
Other info
Flexible and
adaptable religion
where individuals
choose what and
how they worship.
Adopts and adapts
the deities of other
religions.
Has many different
sects, many with
VERY different
practices and
beliefs