Religions of South Asia

Chapter 8 Section 1

How would these statements affect

someone’s way of life?Every good deed sooner or later results in happiness.Every evil deed sooner or later brings sorrow.Deeds in your past life are responsible for your present position in society.You can improve your position in the next life by carrying out your duties in this life.The cause of suffering is desire.

HinduismMost popular religion in IndiaNo founderNo formal church

Hinduism2 holy booksVedasUpanishads

Law Code (Laws and morals to live by)Ramayana-Poem

Hinduismpolytheism (belief in many gods) All gods are part of the Brahman (not a thing, called the supreme force)3 main godsBrahma-creator Vishnu-preserverSiva-destroyer

YES-NO-WHYThere is a difference between Brahma and Brahman.

Brahma: the

creator

Vishnu: the

preserver

Siva: the destroyer

HinduismAtman-soulHindus believe that everything is part of the atman

Nonviolent-respect natureCow is holy

HinduismMoksha-freeing of the soul so it can unite with Brahman (kind of like our Heaven)This cannot be done in one lifetimeReincarnation-the body dies, but the soul is rebornThis continues until moksha is reached

HinduismKarma-determines if the soul is released so moksha can be achievedIdea that what goes around, comes aroundEvery deed in this life affects a person’s fate in the future

Good deeds bring happinessEvil deeds bring sorrow

HinduismCaste System-a strict social, political, religious orderMember of a caste for life (this caste is determined by deeds from other lives)Brahmans-highest caste (priests)

These people are the closest to moksha

Sudras-lowest caste (servants)Also called the untouchables

HinduismDharma-duties and obligationsHave to follow caste rules and moral rulesImprove caste (in next life) by carrying out duties in this life

Makes people behave morally

YES-NO-WHYDharma and karma are related to one another.

Assignment“The essential self or the vital essence in humans is the same as that in an ant, the same as that in a gnat, the same as that in an elephant…indeed the same as that in the whole universe.”

How does this quotation explain the idea of atman?Why would such a belief encourage nonviolence?What connection can you see between this belief and the idea of reincarnation?

Buddhism

BuddhismSiddhartha Gautama-founderWanted to find the cause of human miseryAfter 6 years he is enlightenedCalls himself Buddha

Buddha-enlightened one

4 Noble Truths1-everyone suffers (pain, death)

4 Noble Truths2-the cause of suffering is desireNothing is permanent-even pleasure comes to an end, therefore pleasure causes suffering

4 Noble Truths3-the only way to end suffering is to crush desireGive up desire to reach Nirvana (freedom from the cycle of life and death)

4 Noble Truths4-the way to end desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold PlanPractical guide to correct conductStressed the understanding of the causes of suffering Focus on kindness, compassion, and truth

Buddhism

Also believe in reincarnation and karmaNo gods, priests, or caste systemHoly Book: Three Baskets of Wisdom

2 Sects of BuddhismTheravada-do not worship Buddha as a godReach Nirvana by living a monastic life

Mahayana-worship Buddha as a godWorship all that are enlightened as gods

JainismCreated as an attempt to reform HinduismFounder rejected the power of the Brahmans

Believe in reincarnationStrict vegetarians (vegans)Emphasize ahimsa (non violence)Sweep ground before walking so they don’t crush creatures

Other religionsChristianityIslamSikhism-combination of Hinduism and Islam

AssignmentWrite a reaction to the different religions that we have discussed. What part(s) of the religions do you like? Not like? What aspects would be hard for you to follow? Easy to follow?Would you switch your religion? Why or why not?