Hinduism & BuddhismHinduism & Buddhism

Overview of HinduismOverview of Hinduism• Collection of religious beliefs

developed about 1500 BC• Cannot be traced to one

founder or people– Vedic Religion of Aryan?– Harappan belief system?– Mix of both?– Regardless, all elements were

in place by 500 BC

• Based off interpretations of Vedas & Mahabharata– Vedas – sacred hymns– Maha = epic stories (like

Homer)

Caste SystemCaste System• Caste defines who you are

– Born into it– Marry within it – Die within it

• Almost impossible to move up caste within one lifetime

• Everybody knew what caste people were in

• Relations with other castes– No one dealt w/ harijan– Very respectful up caste– Very condescending down

caste

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism • Desire moksha

– Liberation from cycle of birth and rebirth

– Above time, space – the stilling of all passions and desires

• Individual soul = Atman• Brahman

– The source of all existence– At moksha, atman unifies w/

Brahman– Goal never achieved in one

lifetime!

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism

• Reincarnation– New personality develops

in each life, based on past experiences

– Part of original person is constantly present throughout successive lives

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism• Karma

– Atman’s good and bad deeds– Everything one does

influences one’s destiny and possibility of moving up the incarnation ladder

– Effects caste & wealth in future lives

– Good karma = good fortune– Current station in life is

determined by prior good & bad karma of prior lives

Beliefs of HinduismBeliefs of Hinduism• Each caste has dharma

– Rights, obligations & duties of caste, within social order

– Be the best brahmin / kshatriya / whatever you can be

– Failure to do dharma leads to regression down caste system

• If one does dharma, one will have good karma, and will be reincarnated to a higher caste, eventually reaching moksha

Brahman is three major gods in one

(some depictions of Hindu gods)

Brahma = Creator: created universe, first Brahma = Creator: created universe, first humanshumans

Vishnu: Protector = preserver of universe; most popular aspect of Brahman

Shiva: Destroyer = destroys evil and sorrow, including world, when it is evil