Eastern Religious PhilosophiesHinduism and BuddhismHinduismOld Indian religionBoth polytheistic and

monotheisticAll powerful world soul or

force in all of usBased on reincarnation and

the caste systemAll of us are trying to rejoin

the world’s soul

BuddhismSiddartha Gautama – first Buddha or

“enlightened one”Based on understanding relationship

between desire and painEliminate desire to eliminate sufferingEliminate desire = achieve Nirvana

and break cycle of reincarnation

Hinduism in DetailOldest surviving major world religionPolytheistic and monotheistic at the same timeBrahman – the world’s soul (monotheistic)Different Hindu gods -- really just manifestations of BrahmanCreation – Brahman shattered – each of us has a piece of Brahman – it’s

the “life force” in all living thingsReincarnation – cycle of rebirth based on Karma (the way you live your

life)– we’re all eventually trying to rejoin Brahman – only members of the priest class with good Karma will be able to rejoin Brahman

Caste system: 14 levels of humans from Brahmin (priest class) to Untouchables (lowest humans)

Buddhism in DetailSiddhartha Gautama – Hindu prince who had a crisis of faith and

walked among the people and observed the worldFour Noble Truths

Everyone suffersSuffering is caused by desireTo eliminate suffering – eliminate desireTo eliminate desire – follow the Eight fold path to righteousness

Eliminating desire would thus allow a person to become “enlightened” or a Buddha. This was called achieving a state called Nirvana

Achieve Nirvana and break the cycle of reincarnation and join the world’s soul

Anyone not achieving Nirvana would ensure their good Karma and would go up on the ladder of reincarnation