Religion in

Ancient India

Hinduism

The Aryans

• Aryans

– Invaders from Central Asia

• Raja

– king / ruler of Aryan village

• Sanskrit संस्कृता वाक्

– writing system of the Aryans

The Vedas

• Vedas

– most important Sanskrit religious text

Social Classes

• Varnas

– social classes

• Caste System

– class system

based on birth,

wealth, and

occupation

“Varnas” (Social Classes)

• Brahmins

– priests and

teachers

• Kshatriyas

– rulers and

warriors;

“rajas”

“Varnas” (Social Classes)

• Vaisyas

– farmers,

craftspeople,

merchants

• Sudras

– laborers

“Varnas” (Social Classes)

• Untouchables

– “outcasts”

Gods of Hinduism

• Thousands of gods (devas)

or one god with many forms?

10 forms of Vishnu

Gods of Hinduism

• Brahma

– the Creator

• “universal spirit”

Gods of Hinduism

• Vishnu

– the Preserver

• preserves dharma

– order, goodness, religion, law

and duty

Gods of Hinduism

• Siva (Shiva)

– the Destroyer

• destroys the “old” so

that the “new” can form

Reincarnation

• Reincarnation

– cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth

• the transfer of one’s soul after death into another

body

Reincarnation

• Karma

– sum of good deeds + bad deeds

determines how you will live

your next life

Reincarnation

• Supreme goal of mankind

– break cycle of reincarnation by achieving

enlightenment

Meditation

• Meditation

– eliminate outside

distractions, achieve peace,

focus – “Om”

• Yoga

– the most common form of

meditation

Jainism

• Jainism

– teachings

• injure no life

• tell the truth

• do not steal

• own no property

• Ahisma

– non-violence

Jainism

• Swastika

–卐 or 卍 ; derived from Sanskrit, meaning “well-being”

– used by Nazi’s • Adolf Hitler picked the swastika as the

Nazi symbol because it was used by the Aryans

• Hitler considered the “Aryan race” to be superior

– blonde hair, blue eyes, white skin

Buddhism

Founder

• Siddhartha Gautama

– A Hindu prince in the Kshatriya caste

Reason Founded

• Luxury is Unfulfilling

– Gautama saw suffering;

sick, old, etc.

– life of luxury was unfulfilling

• Poverty is Unfulfilling

– turned to religion and

fasting

– life of poverty is unfulfilling

The Middle Path

• Middle Path (Middle Way)

– rejecting both luxury and denial; moderation

Awakening

• Great Enlightenment

– Gautama meditated

– gained understanding about

suffering and overcoming it

– grew a second brain !?!?

• The Buddha

– “the Enlightened One”

Reincarnation

• Reincarnation

– birth, life, death, and rebirth

• Karma

– good Karma / bad Karma

Ultimate Goal

• Goal of Buddhism

– break cycle of reincarnation

– achieve enlightenment, or nirvana

• Nirvana

– state of bliss that comes

from enlightenment

Comparison with Hinduism

• Unlike Hinduism …

– Buddhists don’t believe in the Caste System

– Buddhists don’t follow the Vedas

– Buddhists don’t worship Hindu gods

Four Noble Truths

• four realizations and guiding principles that

became the heart of Buddhist teaching

Four Noble Truths

1. Suffering is a normal part of life.

Four Noble Truths

2. Our desire for pleasure and material

goods is what brings us our suffering.

Four Noble Truths

3. It is possible to end suffering and

reach nirvana if we overcome desire

and ignorance.

Four Noble Truths

4. People can overcome ignorance and

desire by following the Eight-Fold

Path.

Eight-Fold Path

• eight guiding principles

to help Buddhists follow

the “middle way” to

achieve nirvana

Eight-Fold Path

1. Right Thought (Understanding)

• Understanding that our selfish desires bring

suffering

Eight-Fold Path

2. Right Intent

• Practice goodness and kindness to others.

Eight-Fold Path

3. Right Speech

• Be honest and kind. Avoid lies and gossip.

Eight-Fold Path

4. Right Action

• Do the right thing.

Golden rule of Buddhism:

• Do no harm

Eight-Fold Path

5. Right Livelihood (Lifestyle)

• Live your life to end suffering and bring

peace.

Eight-Fold Path

6. Right Effort

• Seek freedom from desire with the same

effort as a drowning man struggles for

breath. Prevent evil and do good.

Eight-Fold Path

7. Right Mindfulness (Awareness)

• Control your feelings and thoughts.

Eight-Fold Path

8. Right Concentration

• Focus on following the path to peace (the

Eight-Fold Path) in order to achieve nirvana.