Polytheism - Hinduism and Buddhism

Reincarnation

the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth

India

origin of Hinduism

Caste System

A Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life

Dharma

In Hindu belief, a person's religious and moral duties

Untouchables

lowest class of people in the caste system of Hinduism, do all the dirty work of society

Brahmins

The priest scholars of the caste system.

Diwali

Hindu festival of lights

Holi

Hindu festival of spring where they throw powered paint

Spread of Hinduism

through trade and colonization

Vedas

Ancient Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism.

Moksha

Becoming liberated from the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism.

Ganges River

Located in India, this river is considered sacred to Hindus and is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals.

Karma

The belief that actions in this life, whether good or bad, will decide your place in the next life.

Brahman

A single spiritual power that Hindus believe lives in everything (Vishnu the Preserver/Siva the Destroyer)

Polytheism

belief in more than one god

Varna

each of the four Hindu castes, Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra.

Siddartha Gautama (Buddha)

Founder of Buddhism and former prince

Northern India

Origin of Buddhism

Buddha

Means "Enlightened One." He is said to have found a path for overcoming suffering.

Nirvana

The state of englightenment for Buddhists.

Four Noble Truths

as taught by the Buddha, the four basic beliefs that form the foundation of Buddhism

Eightfold Path

as taught by the Buddha, the path one must follow to achieve nirvana

Spread of Buddhism

King Asoka sent missionaries and Buddha's followers spread his ideas

Middle Way

in Buddhism, a way of life, neither too strict nor too easy

Mandir

Hindu temple

Missionaries

people who work to spread their religious beliefs

Wesak

celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death

Tripitaka

The three "baskets," or collections, of Buddhist texts.