Hinduism

Hinduism

• One of the oldest religions in history• Founder- unknown• Origins- Northwest India• When? About 3500 years ago• 930 million Hindus living in India today

(about 80% of the Indian population) • 13.4% Muslims, 2.3% Christians, 1.9 % Sikhs,

Buddhists (6 million), and others less than 2 percent.

Caste System Hinduism

• What is it? Social categories, social rankings of the people

• Caste determined at birth

• Men considered higher than women

• One’s caste determined- friends, jobs, spouse, food, everything

• Officially outlawed but still takes place in many peasant areas

Caste System based on Hindu Religion

• The Caste system is social, economic and has roots in Hindu Religion.

• Much of it comes from Hindu writings (Vedas) and who is allowed to learn them.

• You were born into your caste, it was near impossible to move out.

The Major Groups

1. Brahmins-

2. Kshatriyas

3. Vaishyas-

4. Shudras-

5. Dalits-

Brahmins

• The Highest Class-

• Priests and Teachers

• Life dedicated to learning and passing on the sacred writings (Vedas, etc.)

Kshatriyas- Warriors/Nobles

• The ruling class

• Warriors and Nobles

• Their duty was to protect the Brahmins and India

Vaisya

• The Farmer and Merchant Class.

• Made up a good portion of the country

• Almost at the bottom of the class system

Shudras

• The Laborers Class

• These were the unskilled workers and servants.

Dalits

• The Untouchables

• Not fit to be in the caste system

• These folks had it the hardest of the castes

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD3HrIRPVhw (8:13)

Untouchables

Beliefs

• Goal: To reach Moksha- a state of perfect understanding of all things

• How to reach goal: To reach Moksha one must free themselves from worldly desires– Worship, knowledge, virtuous acts

• Karma- one’s deeds affect later in life or in another life

• Reincarnation- rebirth of your soul

Leaders and Holy books and Sites

• Gurus- spiritual teachers

• Vedas- oldest scriptures- collection of prayers, spells, and rituals

• Ganges River- holy river which is to cleanse, purify, cure ailments

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama563- 483 B.C.

• Founder of Buddhism (born into nobility)

• Spent his life searching for religious truth and an end to suffering

• Sought enlightenment or wisdom• Found enlightenment under a

large fig tree!

Beliefs

• Four Noble Truths– Everything in life is suffering– The cause of suffering is people’s selfish desire for

wealth– End suffering by ending desires– To find enlightenment follow the Middle Way and

the Eightfold Path

The Middle Way

– Road between desires and self-denial– Live a life of MODERATION!

The Five Precepts: • (1) Do not kill. (or harm anyone)• (2) Do not steal. • (3) Do not lie. (gossip or mistreat others)• (4) Do not misuse sex. (committing adultery,

prostitution)• (5) Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. The

main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind.

More Beliefs• Nirvana-

– Ultimate goal for Buddhists – Perfect state of understanding– Release from selfishness and pain

• Reincarnation– Rebirth of your soul

• Rejected the caste system of Hinduism • Believe that all people are equal

Religious Community• Buddhist monks and nuns- those who dedicate

their entire lives to the teachings of Buddhism• Lead a life of poverty, meditation, and study• Non-violence and do not marry

ComparisonsHinduism• Created in India• No one founder• Believe in social ranking called

the caste system• Believe in reincarnation and

karma• Holy animal is the cow• Holy river is the Ganges River• Religious leaders = gurus• Moksha = the ultimate place for

them• Many gods

Buddhism• Created in India• Founded by Siddhartha

Guatama (who was a prince in the hindu faith)

• NO GODS and all people are equal

• He believed in reincarnation and karma

• In order to reach enlightenment or nirvana, one must give you the desire for riches, wealth

• All suffering in the world is because of the desire for useless things

What do both these religions have in common?