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Hinduism & Buddhism

Hinduism Buddhism

Not founded by any one person

750 – 550 BCE: First step in

development of Hinduism = Teachers began to interpret hymns from the Vedas

Founded by Siddhartha Later called the

“Buddha” “The enlightened one”

Circa 600 BCE

Founder / Origins

Hinduism Buddhism

“Moksha” A state of perfect

understanding of all thingsSouls are reincarnated

until they reach moksha“Karma”

A soul’s good or bad deeds follow it from one life to the next.

Good karma = birth into a good caste, good health, etc.

Four Noble Truths: 1 – Life is filled with

suffering 2 – Suffering is caused

by desire for pleasure 3 – The way to end

suffering is to end desire

4 – The way to end desire is to follow the “middle path”

Key Beliefs

Hinduism Buddhism

Brahma – creator godVishnu – protector godShiva – destroyer godDevi – mother goddess

Many other gods (all seen as incarnations of Brahma) Eventually, Hindus saw

Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu

No “gods”

Goal is to reach “Nirvana” The release from

selfishness and pain

Major Gods

Hinduism Buddhism

Vedas

Upanishads Writings of teachers

who interpreted hymns from the Vedas

There is not a single text that all Buddhists follow.

The “Vinaya Pitaka” - recognized by many Buddhists as sacred

“Jatakas” – legends about Buddha’s previous incarnations

Sacred Writings

Hinduism Buddhism

Strengthened the traditional caste system

Only members of the higher caste levels could achieve moksha in their present life

Rejected the traditional caste system Many people out of the

lower classes followed Buddha

Effect on Society

Hinduism Buddhism

Followers are free to choose which gods to worship or may choose to follow none of them

3 paths to moksha: Right thinking Right action Religious devotion

Buddhism continues to be practiced by Monks who swear oaths of poverty, non-violence, and celibacy.

Hinduism absorbed many Buddhist beliefs

Modern-Day Traditions

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The Spread of Buddhism

Buddhist Population by Nation

Hinduism Dominated India

Hinduism eventually recognized Buddha as one of the ten incarnations of their god Vishnu.

As a result Hindus who liked the Buddha’s teaching saw no need to convert to Buddhism.

Buddhism Spreads Through Asia

The ideas and teachings of Buddhism spread from India along the trade routes developed during the “golden age” of the Gupta Empire.

Most important trade route = The Silk Road