Hinduism

Hinduism

• No Historical Founder• Started in India• Based in the Vedas• Initial focus on sacrifices

• Later on devotion to a god• A lot of diversity

• Wide variety of beliefs and practices

Eastern vs. Western

• No specific beginning• No single deity (god) that is responsible for

creation• Sacred Texts

• No identified author• No identified origin

The Vedas

• Wide variety of literature• Instructions for sacrifice

• Offered by priests to various gods.• Understood to result in children,

wealth or the attainment of heaven• Creation stories• Philosophical teachings

• No authors• Said to exist eternally• Said to be source of creation

Other Sacred Texts

• Ramayana• Focuses on Vishnu

• Mahabharata• Focuses on Krishna

• Bhagavad Gita• Dharma

• Modern focus on these texts rather than the vedas.

Hindu Gods

• Described in various creation stories• Most Hindus are henotheistic

• Worship one god, but don’t deny existence of others

• Deities appear in different forms with similar characteristics

• Primary deities often selected based on family belief or region of India

• Primary deities include:• Shiva• Vishnu• Devi

Hindu Gods

• Often other deities worshipped• Examples include

• Hanuman• Ganesha

• Some offerings at set times• Completed by professional priests

• Puja• Prayer• Chanting• Offerings

• Fruit, Rice, Clothing

Other Beliefs

• Reincarnation• Moksha

• Karma• Atman• Samsara• Dharma

Holi

Diwali

Sacred Places

• India• Locations such as Mountains and

Rivers associated with gods.• Temples

• Located throughout the world

Current State of Affairs

• Castes• Social ladder• Born into a caste• Affects many aspects of life

• Rural vs Urban areas

Confucianism

Confucius

Born in 551 B.C.died in 479 B.C.

Confucianism

Concerned primarily with restoring social stability and order What is the basis of a stable, unified,

and enduring social order?a system of social and ethical

philosophy “only when character is cultivated are

our families regulated; only when families are regulated are states well governed.”

Confucianism

li rituals, norms, institutions, or mores the outer, conforming aspect of

Confucianismren

humaneness, love, kindness, benevolence, or virtue

the inner, reforming aspect of Confucianism

Li

Rites, ceremonies, proper behavior, and good manner

performed in good faith, with everyone keeping to his or her proper role

universal harmonyno need for physical sanctions, laws,

or punishment

Ren

Relationship between "two persons”extension of filial piety to all human

beingseach role in the hierarchy of social

relations had clearly defined duties reciprocity or mutual responsibility

Five relationships

father-childruler-subjecthusband-wifeelder brother-younger brotherfriend-friend

Confucianism

Persecuted in Qin Dynasty 221 B.C. - 206 B.C.

promoted by later rulers

Confucianism

reinforced by the civil examination system “keju”: civil examination from 605 to 1905