Hinduism & Buddhism – Made Easy
(Sort of)
• India’s Rich Religious Traditions
Hinduism “Eternal Religion”
• 80% pop of India are
Hindus
• 900 million world wide3rd largest
• Considered the oldest
since it was created before
time existed
• Tolerant of diversity
makes it popular
• Yoga
What are their beliefs in
god(s)?
• The Hindu religion is extremely
complex. The saying goes that if you
admit to understanding Hinduism then
you really don’t! Hindus believe that
the religion is beyond human
understanding. The devotion to the
god and gods of Hinduism is known as
Bhakti.
Hindu Founders
• None
• Only authority is the
Vedas and Brahman
priests
• Customs / beliefs
borrowed from the
IVP and the Aryans
Hindus are Monotheistic
• Supreme Being- Brahman
• 333 million other gods who are
extensions of Brahman
• Vishnu- the Preserver
• Brahma-the Creator
• Shiva –the destroyer
Brahma
• The Creator
• In order to create
the world he made
a goddess out of ½
of his body
• 4 books of the
Vedas are to have
come from his 4
heads
Lord Vishnu
• Preserver of Life
• He is the atman
that manifests
itself in mind, body,
and intellect
• Represents the
individual in all of
us
Shiva
• He is the
Destroyer
• Responsible for
change as in death
and destruction
• Usually seen with
snakes which
represent that he
is beyond death
Hindu Rituals
• Shrines in homes
• Meditation
• Spend time fulfilling
social and moral
obligations
• Namaste Greeting
• Notice her Bindi
Buddhism
• Founded in India 2500
yrs ago by the
Buddha- an Indian
prince
• 360 million world
wide- 4th largest
• China, Japan, SE Asia,
Korea and growing in
USA (Richard Geer)
Lotus Flower
Interesting Belief
• Buddhists believe that when Siddhartha
was born his mother envisioned a white
elephant. Today Buddhists believe that the
white elephant was the “mother of god”.
The Dalai Lama is considered the incarnate
spirit of the Buddha. There are another
2000 llamas that live around the world.
When a llama dies a world wide search is
performed to search for the next llama.
Founder of Buddhism
• Siddhartha Gautama
became the Buddha
(enlightened spiritattained wisdom and
compassion) upon his
death- did not want to be
worshipped as a god
• His Story
• White Elephant- mother of
god
Dalai Lama Visit
Bloomington, IN – 2004 & 2007
Purdue University- 2009
•
Leader of Tibet- Lives in Exile
Buddhists are Monotheistic
• Buddha- Supreme
Being
• Also known as the
Enlightened One
• Any guesses why he
is shown fat and
happy?
What is the goal for Hindus
and Buddhists?
Hindu
• Follow dharma (duties)
to achieve moksha
• Free self from selfish
desires to achieve
moksha (union with all
powerful spirit)
• Reincarnation provides
many chances to
achieve moksha
Buddhism
• Attempt to reach
Nirvana or union
with universal
spirit
Continued…
• Hindus believe that • Must follow 4 Noble
Truths
good or bad karma
* Life is suffering
(actions) decide
* Suffering is caused
into what existence
by desire
you will be reborn
* By overcoming
• Extra Credit: Look
desire you lessen
up and be able to
your suffering
* Must follow 8 Fold
share the “rules” of
Path
karma
8 Fold Path: You must
possess…
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Rightful
Rightful
Rightful
Rightful
Rightful
Rightful
Rightful
Rightful
views
aspirations
speech
actions
livelihood
efforts
mindfulness
contemplation
Other Beliefs…
• Both believe in
ahimsa
(nonviolence)
• Both believe in
reincarnation
although Buddhists
do not believe in
the caste system.
Nirvana is available
to all regardless of
birth.
Sources
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http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism
http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism
World History text book
Nettrekker