One of the most important concepts in
understanding classical Hinduism is the
existence of a caste system.
The caste system is a societal set up, in which
people are born into a certain caste or group and
they cannot change.
Each of these groups is assigned a certain set of
jobs. These jobs hold a certain level of
importance in society. Some jobs are seen as
important and others are viewed as being less
important.
These jobs also help to show a caste's level of
power. The higher the caste, the more wealth
and power in Indian society.
The highest caste is the Brahmin, which consists
of Hindu priests. Kshatriya is the 2nd most
important caste, which is the warrior class.
Viasya are landowners and merchants, and
Sudra are commoners, peasants and servants.
Outside the caste system are a group called
untouchables.
These people are the lowest group in society.
They have few rights and the worst jobs in
society, like rat catchers.
The most common religion in India is Hinduism.
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, which means
Hindus pray to more that one god. Hindus in
different areas pray to different gods.
The reason many Hindus pray to so many
different gods is that Hinduism has no set
doctrine, or written rules of practice. Though it
does have some common characteristics no
matter where it is followed.
The belief in Dharma is the natural laws the
world. These are rules every living creature must
follow.
Karma on the other hand is the result of ones
actions in life. A person can control their own
karma. Karma is the world's reactions to one's
actions.
If a person is kind and good in life, they will have
good karma. If a person is bad or evil in life, they
will have a worse time in their next life. If you are
good you will have a good life, but if you are bad
you will have a bad life.
Ideas like Dharma and Karma are important
concepts to Hinduism, but Hinduism is very open
to many new beliefs. Hinduism is accepting of all
beliefs.
Hindus believe that the life they are living
currently is not their only existence. After death
there is not an afterlife, but only another life.
This belief is called reincarnation
Every living thing, from insects to humans, has a
soul. When someone dies they are reborn as
another creature.
If a person is good in their life, their next life will
be in a higher level of life. The highest level of life
is called Moksha, in which a person is a spirit,
similar to a god.
Moshka are the only form above humans.
If a person is bad in life, they are reborn as a
lower creature. If a human is a bad person, they
are reborn as an animal. They will have to wait
several lifetimes for another chance to be a
human.
These reincarnations are seen as the reactions of
the way a person lives their life, or their karma.
Every human should try to have good karma and
be reborn as a better being.
The caste system serves as a way of separating
humans.
In the cast system people are separated into
different groups, each group having different
levels of power and jobs.
The highest caste lives a very happy life, while
the lowest castes must struggle to survive.
This fact is very important, because it allows
karma to be at work in humanity.
Humans will be reborn into a higher caste if they
live a good life.
If a person does their job well and is a good
member of their caste, they will be born into a
higher caste in their next life.
This is why a person cannot change castes in
their lifetime, they must be reborn into the next
caste.
Buddhism is the religion of almost 400,000,000
people on earth, but it all started with the
teachings of one man.
Siddhartha Gautama was a Hindu prince born in
Nepal in 563 BCE. He was a member of the
Brahmin, or the highest caste in the Hindu caste
system.
Though he was very powerful and wealthy, he
was still unhappy.
He saw all of the suffering of his people. He did
not know how to change it.
When he was 29 he left home to find the meaning
to life. He experienced many miracles and
became very wise, the wisest human being ever.
He traveled the world teaching his new
philosophy. He came to be regarded as the
Buddha.
He was reborn several times to teach humans
how to be enlightened, or to reach spiritual
purity.
Buddhism has many different teachings and
themes, but one of the most important concepts
is the Four Noble Truths.
The Four Noble Truths help humanity to
understand where suffering comes from. If a
person knows where suffering comes from, they
will be able to take suffering out of their lives.
Buddhists believe that first people must
understand that life is full of pain and suffering.
This suffering is caused by human desire. If
humans can put an end to desire, they can end
suffering.
Suffering can be ended by following a philosophy
called the Eightfold Path.
These truths are the first step to following the
ways of Buddha and finding spiritual happiness.
Spiritual happiness and purity, called
enlightenment are the goals of Buddhism.
Buddhists look to end personal suffering, and
suffering in the world by following the Eightfold
Path.
Each one of the following 8 rules helps to lead a
person to being a better person.
A person should know that suffering is caused by
desire, be selfless and love all life, not lie, not
kill, steal or commit unjust acts, not do things to
promote evil, take effort to promote
righteousness, be aware of oneself and one's
actions, and learn to meditate.
If a person follows these rules, they will have less
desire.
Though these concepts seem easy to follow, they
are not very specific. It can be very difficult to
define just what "evil" is.
Buddhists must think a lot about themselves and
their actions to remain on the Eightfold Path.
Though this takes a great deal of work and time,
it can have a great deal of payoff in the next life.
Buddha was a Hindu before he became the head
of a religion. It should not be surprising that
Buddhism is very similar to Hinduism.
Buddhists believe in an endless cycle of
reincarnation, which is similar to beliefs of
Hinduism.
Buddhists do not believe that gods are
responsible for the phenomenon, like many
Hindus do.
In addition, the Caste System is rejected by
Buddhists who believe instead that one is
reincarnated until they can achieve nirvana, best
described as spiritual enlightenment or purity.
Buddhist beliefs point to a person's self is the
source of happiness, while Hindus put more
value on one's role in society.
Buddhism has developed into its own distinct
religion from Hinduism despite these similarities.
It should be no surprise that religions that both
started in South Asia have so much in common.