Religions of India

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism

Hinduism

Origins in the Vedas brought by the Aryans.

Aryans had no written language. Passed epics down word of mouth.

Vedas = “Books of Knowledge”

Oldest is the Riga-Veda – it is one of the oldest religious text still used.

Vedas brought a complex social order to India known as the varnas.

Varnas

Aryans brought a complex social system with them.

Kshatriyas – warriorsBrahmins – priestsVaisyas – merchants, artisans, and farmers.Sudras – unskilled laborers and servants.

Only warriors and priests were allowed to recite the vedas.

Varnas

Our a period of time, the rituals associated with the vedas became more complex and secret. By 500 BCE, the varnas became more rigid. The varnas were subdivided into jati.Jati were formed according to occupations.These formed the caste system.

Concept of Duty

The vedas outlined the dharma or duties of the male members of each jati.

Mahabharata and Bhagavad-Gita outlines the concept.

Dharma means doing what is proper for one’s age.

This forms the foundation of Hinduism.

Hinduism

Not founded on the teachings of one person.

Religion of many deities.

800-400 BCE, a collection of writings and philosophies were reflected in a text known as the Upanishads.

The Upanishads tell of a universal spirit present within all life. All living things have souls. All souls are part of one eternal spirit – The Brahman Nerguna.

Hinduism

To achieve unity with the Brahman Neguna, a person must separate themselves from material things.

Self-denial – fasting and the practice of yoga helps a person achieve a state of tranquility.

Hinduism – Cycle of Rebirth

Reincarnation – soul passes through many lifetimes to achieve oneness with the universe.

Cycle of rebirth is controlled by the karma. The way you live your life will determine what you will be in the next life. By doing good, you become good, by doing evil, you become evil.

Cycle of Rebirth

Out of that arose the attitude of non-violence against all living things. This is known as ahimsa – protection of all humans, animals, insects, and plants.

The cycle of rebirth continues until the person achieves moksha – a release from the pain and suffering of rebirth.

Hindu Deities

Brahma – The Creator

Vishnu – The Preserver

Siva – The Destroyer

Ganesha – God of good fortune

Brahma

The Creator

Vishnu

The Preserver

Siva

The Destroyer

Ganesha

God of Good Fortune

Jainism

A religious sect based upon Hinduism.

Around 500 BCE, a Hindu teacher named Mahavira rejected the strict caste system and sacrifice.

Jains believe in the sacredness of all life. They use brooms to sweep their paths to avoid stepping on insects.

Jains also refuse to farm for fear of killing insects with plows.

Buddhism

Siddharta Gautama founded Buddhism in the 5th century BCE.

He was born and raised a kshatriya prince.

He lived a sheltered life until one day when he toured his estate.

Siddharta was shocked at the pain and suffering he observed.

Buddhism

At age 29, he left his wife and new born son to find out why people suffered and how suffering could be ended.For 7 years, he lived as a hermit seeking the answer through fasting and self-denial.One day as he was meditating under a tree, he gained an awareness that gave him the answer he was looking for.His followers began calling him “Buddha” or “enlightened one.”

The Enlightened One

The Four Noble Truths

All people suffer and know sorrow.

People suffer because their desires bind them to a cycle of rebirth.

People could end their suffering by eliminating their desires.

One could eliminate their desires by following the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path

Know the truth.Resist evil.Say nothing to hurt others.Respect life.Work for the good of others.Free your mind of evil.Control your thoughts.Practice meditation.

Buddhism

By avoiding extremes and following the Eightfold Path, a person could attain nirvana or a state of freedom from rebirth.Nirvana is a place of extinction. In nirvana, a person becomes one with the universe.Buddha also rejected the caste system. He believed that a person’s place in life depended on the person, not his birth status.

Spread of Buddhism

Monks carried the religion to other parts of Asia.As the religion spread, disagreements broke out among the followers.

Theravada – S and SE Asia. Closely follows the original teachings of the Buddha.Mahayana – China, Korea, and Japan. Followers view Buddha as a savior and a divine person.

Spread of Buddhism

Hinduism and Buddhism

Many deitiesCaste systemReincarnationReligious writings – UpanishadsMainly in India

No deitiesRejection of caste system4 Noble TruthsEightfold PathReincarnation not necessary to achieve nirvana.Buddhism spread to other regions.