HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM

Two Religions of Ancient India

•The two major religions practiced in Ancient India were Hinduism and Buddhism.

HINDUISM

HinduismI. Hinduism- grew out of Aryan society. The Aryans were a

groups of people who had migrated into India and developed

religious writings and songs called the Vedas.

A. Basic Beliefs

1. Brahman is the life force: creator, sustainer, and destroyer.

a. Brahma- Creator

b.Shiva- Destroyer

c. Vishnu- Sustainer

d.There are also many other gods and goddesses they believe

in.

2. Karma- good and bad actions have consequences.

3. If you live a bad life, you will have bad karma. If you have a

good life, you will have good karma.

4. Reincarnation_- the process of rebirth, or living

more than one life.

5. Caste System_- society divided based on a person’s

birth. If a person had good karma they should be

reborn into a good caste. If a person had bad karma

they would be reborn into a lower caste.

6. Vegetarianism

BUDDHISM

Buddhism

II. Buddhism- teachings of Buddha who wanted

to end suffering.

A. Basic Beliefs (Four Noble Truths)

1. Suffering is a part of life.

2. Suffering comes from wanting what you

do not have.

3. If you stop craving what you do not have,

you can achieve happiness.

4. There are things you can do to help stop

craving things.

B. Other Beliefs and Teachings

1. Meditation is the practice of sitting quietly and clearing

the mind of thought.

2. Buddha is considered the “enlightened one” who taught

how to live a peaceful life, free from suffering.

3. Nirvana is a state of perfect peace that frees the soul

from suffering and is the main goal of Buddhism.

4. Reincarnation

5. Eight Fold Path: Teaches people how to change their:

speech, thoughts, and behavior to achieve happiness while

practicing meditation.

Similarities and DifferencesIII. Similarities and Differences

A. Both believe in Reincarnation

B. Buddha opposed the Caste System, which Hindus believe is part of life.

C. Hinduism is polytheistic, Buddhism is not.

D. Hinduism taught that women were inferior to men.

E. Buddhism taught that people were responsible for their own salvation; Hinduism taught that priests were necessary to perform religious rituals.

F. Hinduism believed in animal sacrifices, Buddhism does not.

Religions SpreadIV. Religions Spread

A. Buddhism spread as missionariestraveled and shared their beliefs throughout Asia.

B. Buddhism spread because King Asoka sent missionaries.

C. Hinduism is still mainly concentrated in India or areas where people migrated from India.

Compare and Contrast

•Write a well constructed paragraph comparing and contrasting the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism, giving details and examples.