| Hinduism 1500 BCE |
| Buddhism 523 BCE |
| * Holy Book - The Tritaka * (Buddha means "The Enlightened One") * Founded by SIDDARTHA GAUTAMA - he was born the son of a prince. He was sheltered from ALL bad things by his father. (Everytime he left the castle, his father would send people out before him to clear the streets of all bad things). At age 29, he left home unannounced. For the first time he saw suffering, sickness, and death. He began to ask questions: "If God is good, why do people suffer, get sick, or die?" * He left home, gave up all of his possessions, searching for truth and an answer to the question: "Why do people suffer?". * Finally, while meditating, he became enlightened and came up with the 4 Noble Truths. * 4 NOBLE TRUTHS: 1. Life contains suffering. 2. Desire causes suffering. 3. Eliminate desire, to eliminate suffering. 4. Follow the Eightfold path to reach NIRVANA. (Perfect peace) * Eightfold Path: 1. Faith - Have the right faith 2. Intentions - Not only do you do the right thing, but for the right reasons. 3. Speech 4. Action 5. Living - Live the right way 6. Mindfulness - (thoughfulness of others.) 7. Effort 8. Meditation * Buddhists do not believe in heaven or hell, or the need for a personal savior. * Buddhism is more of a philosophy (way of living) than a religion. It has different sects, each one believing in something different. * Beilieve in thoughtful or ceremonial giving (Dona), Cila - do not kill, steal, use drugs, or have the wrong type of behavior. Have special days where there are restrictions. On these days, there is no adornment (jewelry, makeup, etc.). Also, there are restrictions on entertainment, and comfort on these days. Believe in meditation and spiritual chanting. |
| * Holy Book - The Veda * Polytheistic * The word Hindu means "Indian" in the Persian language. (Sanskrit). * The only major world religion that cannot be traced back to a single founder. * It developed over thousands of years of invasions in the Indus Valley. The invaders brough their own beliefs with them and they all mixed together (Creole). * VARNA - SOCIAL CLASS ( The Caste System - based on levels of purity; on a person's kharma.) 1. Brahmins (Priests/Academics) 2. Kshatriyas (Rulers/Military) 3. Vaisyas (Farmers, Landlords, Merchants) 4. Sudras (Peasants, Servants, "Blue Collar" jobs) 5. Dalit - (untouchables) * 3 MAIN GODS: 1. Brahma - The Creator - represents Birth. 2. Vishnu - The Preserver - represents Life. 3. Siva - The Destroyer - represents Death. * Kharma - The sum/total of one's good and bad deeds in this life, and past lives. Determines next cycle of reincarnation. * Dharma - A moral duty people must fulfill in each cycle of reincarnation. (purpose in life) * Reincarnation - To be reborn as another living thing. (According to your kharma) * Samsara - An endless cycle of life, death and rebirth. * Moksha - A release from samsara. (can be reached only after endless reincarnations.) HINDU PRACTICES: * MEDITATION is practiced; YOGA is the most common form. * Daily Devotions, public rituals, and PUJA, a ceremonial dinner for a God. * Hinduism has a reputation of being very tolerant of other religions - "The truth is one, but different sages call it by different names" * Red dot - worn on the forehead - symbolizes many things: piety (holiness), the third eye (that looks inward to see God), signifies that the wearier is a married woman. |