Religions of India

1
Religions of India

• Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism

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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.

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Varnas

• Aryans brought a complex social system with them.
  
• Kshatriyas warriors
• Brahmins priests
• Vaisyas merchants, artisans, and farmers.
• Sudras unskilled laborers and servants.
• Only warriors and priests were allowed to recite
  the vedas.

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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.

5
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 ones age.
• This forms the foundation of Hinduism.

6
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.

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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.

8
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.

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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.

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Hindu Deities

• Brahma The Creator
• Vishnu The Preserver
• Siva The Destroyer
• Ganesha God of good fortune

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Brahma

• The Creator

12
Vishnu

• The Preserver

13
Siva

• The Destroyer

14
Ganesha

• God of Good Fortune

15
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.

16
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.

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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.

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The Enlightened One
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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.

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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.

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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 persons place in life depended
  on the person, not his birth status.

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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.

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Spread of Buddhism
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Hinduism and Buddhism

• Many deities
• Caste system
• Reincarnation
• Religious writings Upanishads
• Mainly in India

• No deities
• Rejection of caste system
• 4 Noble Truths
• Eightfold Path
• Reincarnation not necessary to achieve nirvana.
• Buddhism spread to other regions.