Introduction to Hinduism

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• BRAHMAN one single spiritual power that lives in
  everything
• AVATAR representation of Hindu god or goddess in
  human or animal form

• Hinduism Major religion from India
• Practiced by over 850 million people
• One of worlds major religions
• Developed from a blend of beliefs from Aryans and
  Indians over 3,000 years

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Deity god or holy being

• HINDUISM
• Very complex brings ideas from many religions
• Worship many gods and goddesses but believe in
  one main brahman
• No single leader or founder

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Moral doing what is right, accepted by
  culture correct

• HINDUISM
• Three important Hindu gods Brahma, the Creator
  Vishnu, the Preserver Shiva, the Destroyer
• Believe their deities come to earth as avatars

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• REINCARNATION belief in the rebirth of the soul,
  often in human or animal form
• DHARMA religious and moral duties of each person
• AHIMSA nonviolence (a main teaching of Hinduism)

• Hindus believe life is a spiritual journey
• Teachings come from holy texts called Upanishads
• Believe every living thing has a soul
• Each person will be judged by his or her actions
  on earth and reincarnated accordingly

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• When a Hindu reaches a perfect life, he or she
  becomes one with Brahma and breaks cycle of
  reincarnation must follow dharma
• Believe in non-violence
• All people and things are part of Brahman so they
  dont eat meat and try not to harm living things

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Hinduism in day to day practice
• May worship at temples
• May have shrines in homes and make offerings
• Practice of Yoga frees soul three types
  physical activity, selfless deeds, learning the
  holy texts

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• BUDDHISM
• Meditate to focus your thoughts inward to reach
  spiritual awareness or relaxation
• Nirvana A higher form of existence lasting
  peace reached by giving up selfish desires

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Siddhartha Gautama
• Indian Prince
• Had never known suffering, old age, sickness, or
  death
• At age 30 he left palace and saw suffering in the
  outside world
• Gave up his wealth and position in hopes of
  finding causes of suffering
• Traveled for 7 years looking for truth

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Fast to go without food or liquids (other than
  water) during the day for religious reasons
• Coexist to live or work together

• Meditated to seek understanding
• Legend says he fasted and meditated under a fig
  tree for 49 days
• He found the answers he was looking for

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Gautama spent 45 years traveling in India and
  sharing his knowledge
• He gained many followers
• They called him Enlightened One, or Buddha
• His teachings came to be called Buddhism

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Buddha taught that people should avoid extremes
  in life
• Said wish for wealth or power caused unhappiness
• Believed people should follow the Middle Way or
  8-Fold Path

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Introduction to Buddhism

• Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation
• Believe you could be released from
  reincarnation by following Middle Way and
  reaching nirvana

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Introduction to Buddhism

• BASIC TEACHINGS
• Act unselfishly
• Tell the truth
• Avoid violence
• All people are equal
• Appeals to those in caste system

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Introduction to Hinduism Buddhism

• Karma Belief that choices you make in the
  present will impact the future What comes
  around goes around
• Example A good choice in this life may mean you
  have a good outcome later in life OR in a later
  life. The opposite is true, too.

• SHARED BELIEFS
• Hindus and Buddhists believe in nonviolence and
  idea that its not okay to harm others
• Some Hindus believe Buddha is a reincarnation of
  Vishnu, the preserver
• Both believe in Karma