Hinduism
Timeline
Widely considered the world’s oldest religion. Many people suggest that
Hinduism in not a religion, much like Christianity or Judaism, but more of a
way of life. Hinduism evolved around 1500 BCE
Founder
Geography
None. Hinduism derives from
the word "India” and refers to
traditions and philosophies that
have evolved over thousands of
years
Sacred Texts
Vedas - time and life are cyclical.
Cycle of birth and rebirth is known
as samsara
Upinshads - escape the cycle of
rebirth, how to leave samsara
Hinduism
Basic Tenants of Hinduism
Universal Spirit or Brahman
Hindu thinkers came to believe that everything in the universe was part of the
unchanging, all-powerful spiritual force called brahman.
Each of the three main Hindu deities
represents a part of the life cycle: Brahma the
creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the
destroyer. Upon destruction, Hindus believe
that the cycle of creation, preservation, and
destruction begins again.
Hinduism
Basic Tenants of Hinduism
To Hindus, every person has an essential self, or atman. For
Hindus, the ultimate goal of existence is to achieve moksha
(MAHK SHUH), or union with brahman. To accomplish this – you
must free yourself from selfish desires. Because Hindus believe
that this goal cannot be completed in just one lifetime, they believe
in reincarnation. Thus, through reincarnation, you are able to
continue working towards moksha.
Karma
All actions of a person’s life that affect their next life
Dharma
Religious and moral duties. These duties vary
according to class, occupation, gender, or age. By
obeying one’s dharma, a person acquires merit for
the next life.
Hinduism provides direction to the daily lives of Hindus. It teaches that people should
remain in their social group or caste
Hinduism
 Central to Hinduism is the belief in reincarnation.
 Hindus believe that after a person dies, they will be re-born as
some other creature or thing.
 What you are re-born as depends on your “Karma” or the deeds
you did in your previous life. If you did good deeds, you will
reborn into a higher, better life. If you had bad Karma, you may
be re-born as an insect or even a tree.
Hinduism
Caste System
 Caste System - rigid class structure based on Hinduism which is
found in India.
 Believed that if one leads a good life, following good karma and
dharma, they will be rewarded by being reincarnated as a person
belonging to the next highest level in the Caste System.
 If one is wicked during their life, they will be demoted, and possibly
even removed from the Caste System altogether.
Hinduism
Caste System
 Outcasts, or Untouchables, are members of Hindu society thought
to have been removed from the Caste System, with no hope of
returning to it, due to their misdeeds in previous lives.
 Work that is deemed unclean for all other Hindus is reserved for
these Outcasts.
Hinduism
Caste System
Hinduism
Caste System
The caste system is an important part of Hinduism. Caste are social groups into
which people are born and out of which they cannot move during a lifetime.
In This Life
A Person
Is born into
a caste
In Next Life
Higher
Caste
Lower
Caste
Hinduism
TTYN – complete the graphic organizer with important facts about Hinduism
Hinduism
Sacred Texts
Vedas and
Upinshads
Buddhism
Timeline
Buddhism currently has about 376 million followers and is generally listed as the world's fourth
largest religion. Buddhism shares many of the core concepts of Hinduism. Buddha or the
“Enlightened One” was born a Hindu in 500 B.C.
Founder
Geography
Siaddhartha Gautama or Buddha
Sacred Text
Tripitaka or “Three Baskets of Wisdom”
Buddhism
Teachings ,Beliefs, and Origins
Siddhartha was born into the Brahmin caste,
And by all accounts, led a luxurious lifestyle. However,
he was troubled by the human misery that he saw around him
everyday. While meditating under a sacred tree, he found the answer
to his question, and he was thereafter referred to as Buddha. Upon
reflection, he deduced that desire was the root cause of all suffering.
This idea has been recorded as the Four Noble Truths
Buddhism
Four Noble Truths
Siddhartha's philosophy of the nature of human suffering and
its relation to desire is articulated by these four statements:
Life is full of pain and suffering.
Human desire causes this suffering.
By putting an end to desire, humans can end suffering.
Humans can end desire by following the Eightfold Path
Buddhism
Eightfold Path
The Wheel of Life is one of the most important symbols of Buddhism,
as it represents the endless cycle of life through reincarnation and
because each of its eight spokes represents one of the teachings of the
Eightfold Path.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Know that suffering is caused by desire.
Be selfless and love all life.
Do not lie, or speak without cause.
Do not kill, steal, or commit other unrighteous acts.
Do not do things which promote evil.
Take effort to promote righteousness.
Be aware of your physical actions, state of mind,
and emotions.
8. Learn to meditate.
Buddhism
Reincarnation
Buddhists believe in an endless cycle of reincarnation, or samsara, which is
similar to beliefs of Hinduism. However, Buddhists do not believe that
deities (gods) are responsible for the phenomenon. 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.
The concept of reincarnation can best be illustrated using an infinity
symbol:
Buddhism
Do Now and “Pair and Share”
In complete sentences, describe what Buddha might be suggesting
with each of the following quite.
1. “It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.
Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by
angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”
2. “All that man experiences springs out of his thoughts. If his
thoughts are good, the words and deeds will also be good. The
result of good thoughts, words and deeds will be happiness. This
happiness never leaves the person whose thoughts are good.
Happiness will always follow him like his shadow that never leaves
him.”
Buddhism
TTYN – complete the graphic organizer with some of the important facts regarding
Buddhism
Buddhism
Founder
Siddharth Gautama
AKA Buddha