Hinduism & BuddhismHinduism & Buddhism

Overview of HinduismOverview of Hinduism• Collection of religious beliefs

developed about 1500 BC• Cannot be traced to one

founder or people– Vedic Religion of Aryan?– Harappan belief system?– Mix of both?– Regardless, all elements were

in place by 500 BC

• Based off interpretations of Vedas & Mahabharata– Vedas – sacred hymns– Maha = epic stories (like

Homer)

Caste SystemCaste System• Caste defines who you are

– Born into it– Marry within it – Die within it

• Almost impossible to move up caste within one lifetime

• Everybody knew what caste people were in

• Relations with other castes– No one dealt w/ harijan– Very respectful up caste– Very condescending down

caste

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism • Desire moksha

– Liberation from cycle of birth and rebirth

– Above time, space – the stilling of all passions and desires

• Individual soul = Atman• Brahman

– The source of all existence– At moksha, atman unifies w/

Brahman– Goal never achieved in one

lifetime!

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism

• Reincarnation– New personality develops

in each life, based on past experiences

– Part of original person is constantly present throughout successive lives

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism• Karma

– Atman’s good and bad deeds– Everything one does

influences one’s destiny and possibility of moving up the incarnation ladder

– Effects caste & wealth in future lives

– Good karma = good fortune– Current station in life is

determined by prior good & bad karma of prior lives

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism• Each caste has dharma

– Rights, obligations & duties of caste, within social order

– Be the best brahmin / kshatriya / whatever you can be

– Failure to do dharma leads to regression down caste system

• If one does dharma, one will have good karma, and will be reincarnated to a higher caste, eventually reaching moksha

Brahman is three major gods in one

(some depictions of Hindu gods)

Brahma = Creator: created universe, first Brahma = Creator: created universe, first humanshumans

Vishnu: Protector = preserver of universe; most popular aspect of Brahman

Shiva: Destroyer = destroys evil and sorrow, including world, when it is evil

Buddhism

Overview of Buddhism• Siddhartha Guatama

– Son of a rich warrior prince

– Father isolated him from unhappiness, need on his estate

– Siddhartha escaped 3x, saw poor, cruelty

– Made him question, reject the physical world and search for enlightenment

Overview of Buddhism• Studied with different

religious leaders

• Fasted, meditated– Realized that life of a hermit

would kill him

• Finally emerged from studies, meditation as the Buddha (“Enlightened One”)

• Realized that moderation – the Middle Path – between hedonism, extreme denial, was best path

Buddhist Beliefs• The Four Noble Truths

– All life is suffering and sorrow– Cause of suffering & sorrow is

craving for happiness / sadness, delight / pain (selfish desires)

– End suffering and sadness by overcoming the selfish desires.• By giving it up, you will free

yourself from it

– End selfish desires by following the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path

1 2

3

45

6

7

8 1. Right Belief2. Right Purpose3. Right Speech4. Right Conduct5. Right Livelihood6. Right Effort7. Right Mindfulness8. Right Meditation

Buddhist Beliefs• Goal of Buddhists = nirvana

– Extinction and freedom from cycle of suffering, death and rebirth

• Reach the “Middle Way”– Follow the Eightfold Path– Meditate– Moderation in all things

• Believed in reincarnation but rejected caste system

• Also rejected idea of personal god

• Rejected social, sexual distinctions; embraced egalitarian organization

Buddhist Followers

• At first, word spread by wandering monks

• Spread to China; today, about 300 million Buddhists worldwide

• Never caught on in India