Indian Lesson 3

Religion (Hinduism & Buddhism)

Religion (Hinduism)• Polytheism; gods reflect

universal spirit called the Brahman

• Reincarnation until a person reached Moksha. Spirit joins the Brahman

• The Caste system shows how close to Moksha you are. Higher the better; no spiritual equality.

What is Moksha?

Are do you know if you are close to reaching Moksha?

Can you reach Moksha if you are in the Sudra Caste?

BELIEF

Religion (Hinduism)

• Karma is the consequence of your good and bad actions.

• Dharma: Duty, how to live right according to the Vedas (holy writings).

• Ahimsa, or noninjury, in thought and action.

What must a Hindu do in order to gain good Karma?

BELIEF

Religion (Hinduism)

• Started in India

• No single person started Hinduism. The result of Aryan religious ideas mixing with other Indian religions.

Where did Hinduism begin?

Who founded the religion of Hinduism?

ORIGIN

Religion (Hinduism)

• Spread throughout India

• Gupta Dynasty promoted the spread of Hinduism.

Where did Hinduism spread?

Who was responsible for the spread of Hinduism?

DIFFUSION

Religion (Buddhism)Four Noble Truths

1) Suffering exists2) Suffering comes from

attachment to desires3) Suffering ends when

attachment to desire ends

4) Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

What is Moksha?

Are do you know if you are close to reaching Moksha?

Can you reach Moksha if you are in the Sudra Caste?

BELIEF

Religion (Buddhism)Eightfold PathWisdom:

1) Right View2) Right Thought

Morality:3) Right Speech4) Right Action5) Right Livelihood

Meditation:6) Right Effort7) Right Mindfulness8) Right Conception

What is Moksha?

Are do you know if you are close to reaching Moksha?

Can you reach Moksha if you are in the Sudra Caste?

BELIEF

Religion (Buddhism)• Reincarnation & Karma• Nirvana: Cycle of rebirth is

broken. Enter into a state of wisdom.

• Rejected Hinduism’s Caste system. Anyone can achieve nirvana.

• Some Buddhists believe in no god - Atheism.

What is Moksha?

Are do you know if you are close to reaching Moksha?

Can you reach Moksha if you are in the Sudra Caste?

BELIEF

Religion (Buddhism)

• Started in India

• Siddhartha Guatama started Buddhism. He is called “the Buddha”.

Where did Hinduism begin?

Who founded the religion of Hinduism?

ORIGIN

Religion (Buddhism)

• Spread throughout East Asia. Specifically China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

• Asoka sent missionaries over all of India and the rest of Asia to spread the teachings of the Buddha.

Where did Hinduism spread?

Who was responsible for the spread of Hinduism?

DIFFUSION