Chapter 3,Section 2

Hinduism and Buddhism Develop

India’s Geography India is a land of great Diversity

Has over 110 different languages with over 1100 dialects spoken

Geography ranges from fertile forests to desert, to high mountains

Indian Subcontinent Smaller than a continent Subcontinent of Asia Divided from Asia by Himalaya and

Hindu Kush mountain ranges

Aryan Invasion/Migration Aryans come to India

1500 BCE – group of Indo-European nomads began to move out of Central Asia

Warfare = were advanced fighters

Arrival in India - Advanced East from Indus Valley, eventually occupying almost all of India

Hinduism Evolves Over Centuries

Hinduism Collection of religious beliefs that

developed slowly over time No one founder with a single set

of ideas

The Vedas

1200 BCE-600 BCE Written in Sanskrit Hindu core of beliefs Hymns & poems Religious prayers Magical spells Lists of the gods Rig Veda = oldest work

Origins and Beliefs 750-500 BC, Hindu teachers create

Upanishads-texts of teachings Each person has atman-soul united

with all others in Brahman In reincarnation, people reborn to new

lives A soul’s good and bad deeds, karma,

determines course of new life

Hinduism Changes and Develops Over last 2,500 years different forms of

god grow in importance Today, Hindus choose own path to moksha-a state of perfect understanding

Hinduism and Society Hinduism strengthened the caste

system

Caste System

System was not originally particularly rigid Contained opportunity for mobility Intermarriage between castes was allowed

System became increasingly complex and rigid as time went on Hundreds of castes No social contact between them At bottom, were the “untouchables”

Caste System

Who is… The mouth? The arms? The legs? The feet?

BrahminsBrahmins

KshatriyasKshatriyas

VaishyasVaishyas

ShudrasShudras

New Religions Arise Jainism, a new religion, arises in

500s BC Jains will not harm any creature They work in trade, commerce;

practice religious tolerance

The Buddha Seeks Enlightenment

Siddhartha Gautama Founder of Buddhism; priests

prophesized his greatness

Siddhartha's Quest Raised in isolation, Siddhartha

Gautama wants to learn about world Seeks enlightenment (wisdom), how to

escape human suffering Tries many methods; gains

enlightenment by meditating Becomes the Buddha, the “enlightened

one”

Seeking Truth Siddhartha tried many different ways of achieving

enlightenment. He tried mediation, fasting, physical discomfort, but none

along worked for him. He almost starved himself to death at one point. After that he knew he needed to try something different.

Enlightenment Siddhartha decided that he would meditate until he

discovered the way to end human suffering. Bodhi Tree: He sat under a Bodhi tree and said that he

would not get up until he had achieved enlightenment. He mediated for 40 days amidst temptation, and at the end

said that he was “awake” he had achieved, Nirvana, or Enlightenment. This is when he became the Buddha, or enlightened one.

Origins and Beliefs Buddha begins to teach followers Preaches Four Noble Truths-basic philosophy of

Buddhism Fourth Noble Truth is to follow the Eightfold Path

to achieve nirvanaNirvana:

A perfect state of understanding A release from selfishness and pain A break from the chain of reincarnations, rebirths

Buddha rejects caste system and multiple gods of Hinduism

The Religious Community Some followers devote lives to

religion, become monks and nuns Three bases of Buddhism:

Buddhareligious communityteachings

Buddhism and Society Many followers at first among

poor and lower caste Monks and nuns spread

Buddha’s teachings Teachings written to become

sacred literature

Buddhism in India Spreads to other parts of Asia Never gains firm hold in India;

Hinduism remains strong Buddhist pilgrims often visit India

Trade and the Spread of Buddhism Buddhism spreads by traders to

Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Sumatra

China, Korea, Japan

Buddha’s Life Buddha practices what he

preached Only owned simple robe,

walking stick, and wooden bowl Always slept outside and

walked everywhere he went Presented his creed in a simple

language Treated all persons equally Many people attracted to him as

a result Millions of converts across Asia

Spread of Buddhism Convents and

Monasteries: The Buddha had many followers, both men and women. He did not discriminate based on gender.

Death of the Buddha: He died of food poisoning at the home of a friend.

Scriptures: His teachings were collected in the Tripitika, or three baskets of wisdom.

Buddhist Traditions Buddhism ultimately split into 2

traditions Theravada (Little Vehicle)

Do not view Buddha as a god, was just a great man

Strict practice and dediction Mahayana (Big Vehicle)

Largest of the two Buddha was human incarnation of

Brahma; Buddha was a god Led to worship of Buddha,

creation of idols, elaborate rituals, and temples

Vow not to reach Nirvana, instead stay to help others reach Nirvana first

Stupa

Shrine that houses Buddhist relics