Section III: Hinduism and Buddhism
(Pages 61-64)
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This section is about:
How Hinduism became
the dominant religion in
India.
The religion of Jainism
(founded on the Hindu
tradition of non-violence).
The religion of Buddhism
and how it arose as an
alternative to the formal
religion of Buddhism.
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On page 61:
Compare and
Contrast: we’ll do
this at the end.
The Main Ideas…
And… In India:
Hinduism, Buddhism
and Jainism are have
some similarities, but
some differences in
beliefs and practices.
Meanings of all the above symbols
Hinduism
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One of the most complex
religions in the world.
Has no single “father”
No “sacred text”.
No identifiable beginning.
No authority or
organization.
Came from the many
cultures who settled in
India.
It’s a religion, a history,
and a way of life.
Hinduism accepts many gods and goddesses…
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…but are all part of one
universal spirit – called
Brahman.
The most important:
Brahma: the creator of the
universe
Vishnu: The preserver
Shiva: the destroyer
All of these are part of
Brahman – who is
everlasting and endless.
Brahman is the cause,
source, and reason for all
existence.
Hindu Beliefs
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Reincarnation: you have a
“spirit” that is re-born into
another life form after you die.
Karma: are the actions of your
life – and determines where
your spirit will be re-born.
Dharma: is your religious and
moral duties.
And don’t forget the caste
system (which is a big part of
this): you can’t move your
standing in this life, but your
spirit can move after you die.
Ahimsa: non-violence to all
living creatures – the absence
of desire to harm any living
thing (even yourself)
Jainism (another religion from India):
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A religion that comes from
ahimsa.
It’s a religion of nonviolence.
This includes EVERY living
thing – even insects and
worms.
So that kind of limited their
lives (can’t be a farmer).
Some people are still living
parts of their lives based on
Jainism.
The internal austerities are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Atonement of sinful acts
Practice politeness and humility - in spite
of having comparatively more wealth,
wisdom, social status, power, etc.
Service to others, especially monks,
nuns, elders and the weaker souls without
any expectations in return
Scriptural study, questioning and
expanding the spiritual knowledge
Abandonment of passions – especially
anger, ego, deceit and greed
Meditation
The external austerities are meant to
discipline the sensual cravings.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Fasting
Eating less than one's normal diet
Abstention from tasty and stimulating
food
Practicing humility and thankfulness – by
seeking help and offering assistance
without egoistic tendencies
Practicing solitude and introspection
Mastering demands of the body
The Rise of Buddhism
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Began about 500 B.C.
(a time of great social
change and religious
activity).
Many people wanted
a simpler way of life
than Hinduism and all
their rituals.
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Buddhism accepted
some (but not all Hindu
ideas).
Karma and
Reincarnation were
kept.
The caste system was
rejected by Buddhists –
they said all people had
great potential.
Buddhism is “founded”
by Siddhartha Gautama
(known as: the
Buddha – which means
“awakened one” or
“enlightened one”)
Buddhist tradition…
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Says the Buddha lived
many lives before his birth
as Siddhartha Gautama.
Before he was born, his
mother had a dream about
a white elephant
descending from heaven.
Brahman priests told her it
meant her son would either
be a ruler or a wandering
holy man.
So his father raised him well – and hoped he
would be happy living a rich life at home.
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But, when he was 29,
Siddhartha left home to see
how others lived.
He saw a very old man, a sick
man, and a dead man. He
was so unhappy that others
were suffering that he
decided to leave home and
go look for “ the way of
truth”.
He wandered for 6 years –
giving up all comforts and
pleasures.
One day he decided he was
going to sit under a tree until
he understood the “mystery
of life.”
All of a sudden, one day he figured it out –
and became “the Buddha”
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For the rest of his life he
taught “the four noble truths”
All human existence is full of
pain and suffering.
The cause of suffering is
selfish desire.
The only freedom from
suffering is to overcome
desire.
The only way to overcome
desire is to follow “the
eightfold path.”
and not worry about worldly
cares any more.