HINDUISM
PLACE/TIME PERIOD OF ORIGIN
The exact place and time period that
Hinduism was founded is not known. It is
believed that Hinduism may have emerged
somewhere near India, possibly 5,000 years
ago (around 3,000 B.C.E).
Because of this approximate
date of origin, Hinduism is
considered the oldest
organized religion in the
world. http://www.mapsofwar.com/ind/h
istory-of-religion.html
• There is no 1 single holy book in
Hinduism. Hindu holy books include
the Vedas, Upanishads, and the
Bhagavad Gita.
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=7CE82422-D314487A-B30F-0C1398C39620&blnFromSearch=1
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
• Although there are
multiple gods in
Hinduism, Hindus do
not consider
themselves
polytheistic.
• All Hindus gods are
seen as a
manifestation of 1 allpowerful spirit known
as Brahman.
Brahma- Creator god
Shiva- Destroyer god
Vishnu- Preserver god
Why could you say that Hinduism is
polytheistic, monotheistic religion?
BRAHMAN
Vishnu
Brahma
Shiva
Major Beliefs of Hinduism
• The ultimate goal of existence is to attain union
with Brahman (the all-powerful universal spirit).
This union with Brahman is known as Moksha.
• Hindus believe Moksha takes multiple lifetimes
to attain.
• Hindus believe that after death a soul is reborn
into a new body. This rebirth of the soul is
known as reincarnation.
• Hindus believe that each person has specific
moral and religious duties in life. These duties
are known as dharma.
• Hindus believe that how one acts upon
their duties influences how close they are
to moksha in their next life. These actions
in life are known as karma.
• Hindus also believe they must live their
lives according to a philosophy of
nonviolence. This is known as ahimsa.
• The caste system, the pattern of rigid,
hereditary, social classes in Hinduism, is
no longer legal in India. Although many
Hindus living in India still follow the
guidelines of the caste system.
Basic Hindu Beliefs
Moksha
Brahmin
(priests), Cows
Brahman
Path is
determined by
karma, which is
partially
determined by
dharma
Kshatriyas
(warriors)
Vaisyas (farmers,
merchants,
artisans)
Sudras (farm
workers,
laborers)
atman
Untouchables
Varna or
Caste
(Caste
system),
Jati is a
subcaste
Essential Question
• What are the major Buddhist beliefs and
how do those beliefs compare and
contrast to Hinduism?
BUDDHISM
PLACE/TIME PERIOD OF ORIGIN
• Buddhism was founded in the mid 500’s
B.C.E in northern India.
• The religion is named for its founder,
Siddhartha Gautama (who became
http://www.
known as Buddha).
mapsofwar.
com/ind/his
tory-ofreligion.htm
froml
– Prince from India.
– mother and father kept him sheltered
the “evils” of the world
– ventured outside the palace walls and saw
human suffering
• He wondered why people suffered.
• To find out, Siddhartha meditated
under a tree until he reached
enlightenment (understanding).
When he reached enlightenment he
became known as Buddha (“the
enlightened one”).
• Buddha then began to spread his
understanding of why humans
suffer.
• Buddhism quickly spread from India
to China.
Holy Text
• Tripitaka – Earliest
collection of
Buddhist writings
Buddhism Spreads
• 268 BCE
• Asoka - third leader of the Maurya
Empire
• Converted to Buddhism and spread the
religion
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
• Just as in Hinduism, Buddhists
believe in the all-powerful spirit known
as Brahman.
• But unlike Hindus, Buddhists do not
represent Brahman with gods.
Major Beliefs of Buddhism
• Just as in Hinduism, Buddhists believe the
ultimate goal of existence is to attain union
with Brahman (the all-powerful universal
spirit)…known as Nirvana.
• Nirvana takes multiple lifetimes to attain.
• After death a soul is reborn into a new
body. This rebirth of the soul is known as
reincarnation.
• Just as Hindus, Buddhists believe in
dharma, karma, and ahimsa.
• Unlike Hindus, Buddhists never
followed the guidelines of the caste
system.
• Buddhism emphasizes meditation
and discipline in order to reach
enlightenment.
Buddhists believe the way to reach
enlightenment is to follow
– 4 Noble Truths and
– the Eightfold Path
The Four Noble Truths
1. Sorrow and suffering are part of life.
2. People suffer because they try to get
things they cannot have.
3. The way to escape suffering is to
overcome these frustrating desires and
reach a state of nirvana.
4. To reach this state, you must follow the
Eight-fold Path.
Eight-fold Path
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Know the truth
Say nothing to hurt others
Practice meditation
Control your thoughts
Resist evil
Free your mind of evil
Work for the good of others
Respect life
Basic Buddhist Beliefs
Achieve enlightenment –
become a Buddha
Nirvana
atman
Will achieve
enlightenment by
accepting the Four
Noble Truths and
then following the
Eightfold Path
No caste system,
everyone is on the
same path. But
enlightenment will take
many lifetimes.
Types of Buddhism
Theravada (Lesser Vehicle)
• Buddha is not a god
• Follow the teachings of
Buddha and you may obtain
enlightenment
•Major text - Tripitika
Mahayana (Greater Vehicle)
• Emerged 3rd Century BCE
• Some followers worshiped
Buddha
• Believe in Boddhisatvas –
People who already obtained
enlightenment, but remain on
earth to help others
Buddhism and Hinduism
Thesis Statement
• Are Buddhism and Hinduism more similar
or different?
Thesis ‘Formula’
• “(Religion) and (Religion) are similar because
________, however they are more different
because ______ (difference) and
_______(difference).”
• If you are taking the stance that they are more
different then provide TWO differences and only
one similarity. You can always take the opposite
stance, as well….in which case, you’d provide two
similarities and one difference.
• This is for me to see your thesis writing skills!