Buddhism and Hinduism

Both formed in India

Hinduism

God is one-but goes by many namesBrahman- the main universal god, who is comprised of other gods.

Three forms of the BrahmanBrahma-has four heads facing all directions to see all.Shiva-the destroyer, represents forces that destroy what is old and begin what is new.Vishnu-the preserver, maintains the order of all things.

There is no single founder of the religion; it contains a combination of beliefs (from the Aryans – cultural diffusion)Sacred texts-Vedas

Goal of Life

Atman-the essential self - every person has one.Want to achieve moksha-being one with BrahmanCaste System-strict, cannot move up or down.

(Think of wearing a caste, you can’t move that body part)

The caste system groups you according to class, occupation, or gender.You are born into your caste. If your parents are farmers, you are farmers. You CANNOT move up or down during the same lifetime.

Reincarnation

reincarnation-the process through which a person goes from one life to the next. Hindus believe that when a person dies, he/she is eventually reborn as another person. Reincarnation is the only way a person can move up or down in the caste system. For example: If you are a serf, you can be reincarnated into a ruler or warrior if, in your last life, you lived a good life. If you were a warrior and lived a bad life, you can come back as a lower caste, such as a serf.

Karma and Dharma

Karma-actions in this life that affect one’s next life.

Dharma-the religious and moral duties of an individual during his/her lifetime (rules for living).

Buddhism

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Guatama Buddha

Buddha was an Indian Prince who lived in luxury and comfort inside the palace.

One day he left the palace gardens and saw an old man, a sick man, and a dead man.

Buddhism

From this, Buddha realized: Life is full of suffering. He became the “Enlightened One”.

He explained the 4 Noble Truths:1. All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.2. The cause of suffering is desire for things such

as riches, power and long life.3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome

desire.4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the 8-

fold path.

Cure for Suffering

The only cure for suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path, a middle road between a life devoted to pleasure and a life of harsh self-denial.(A way to help the people find relief from their suffering)

Eightfold path recommends that people develop 3 qualities: wisdom, mortality, meditation.

It is important to live a moral life.

Enlightenment (state of pure goodness) is achieved through meditation.

The ultimate goal is nirvana, union with the universe and release from the cycle of rebirth. This is where you become “one” with Braham.

Different Buddhas