Hindusim and Buddhism

Temples

a building devoted to the worship, or regarded as the dwelling place, of a god or gods or other objects of religious reverence.

Caste System

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

Reincarnation

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the process by which a soul is reborn continuously until it achieves perfect understanding

Samsara

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth

Pilgrimage

a journey to a holy place

Karma

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation

Vedas

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

Dharma

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

Nirvana (Buddhism)

Name given to reaching the state of perfect peace in Buddhism.

Buddha

awakened one

4 Noble Truths of Buddhism

Suffering is a part of life, suffering comes from desire, there is no end to suffering unless we end desire, the Noble 8-fold path

Pagoda

The Buddhist place of worship

Vishnu

the preserver: Hinduism Major God

Shiva

destroyer: Hinduism Major God

Brahma

Creator: Hinduism Major God

Siddhartha Guatama (Buddhism)

A prince who founded Buddhism, and gave up his power to become enlightened.

Fasting

going without food for a period of time

Polytheism

the belief in or worship of more than one god.

Meditation

the focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas

Moksha

Becoming liberated or released from the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism.

What do Indians call Hinduism?

Santana Dharma

Eightfold Path (Buddhism)

In Buddhism, the basic rules of behavior and belief leading to an end of suffering

Untouchables

LOWEST LEVEL OF INDIAN SOCIETY; not considered a real part of the caste system; often given degrading jobs; their life was extremely difficult

Kshatriyas

The warriors and aristocrats of the caste system.

Brahmins

the highest of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of priests

Sudras

Caste that made up most of the Indian population; most were peasants and manual laborers; they had limited rights in society

Vaishyas

farmers, craftspeople, and traders in the caste system

monk

A man who has taken a solemn vow to devote his life to prayer and service in a monastery