Hinduism and Buddhism

Aspects in overall India

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Family Life in Ancient India:

• Family was the most basic unit of Indian Society. There was an ideal of an extended family including multiple generations living together.

Patriarchal:

• Male-dominated. Only men could inherit property and only boys were educated.

Arranged Marriages:

• Parents usually arranged marriages for political and economic reasons when children were very young.

Status of Women:

• Women had very low social status.
• There was a ritual of Suttee (Sati) where women were expected to throw themselves on the crematory fires of their dead husbands. If they refused they were disgraced.

-Hinduism-

NO FOUNDER - Aryans brought in holy text and caste system

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The sacred texts of Hinduism are the Vedas and Upanishads

Language: Sanskrit

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Origin: India

Where did it spread?         India and Southeast Asia

How did it spread?         Along major trade routes

Dynasty: Gupta

Gods of Hinduism

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Hinduism believes in Many Forms of one god

All Hindu gods and goddesses are a form of  Brahman - Highest

Shiva - Destroyer

Vishnu - Preserver

Key Beliefs in Hinduism

1. The Caste System

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The Caste System is a system of social decision in India. There is some debate as to it origins, but it is made up of four main castes and several sub-castes. You are born into your caste and may not change your caste within your lifetime.

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1. Brahmins; The top caste, the priests. They are the closest to Brahman.

2. Kshatriyas; Second Caste, the warriors and princes

3. Vaishya; Merchants, artisans, and landowners (Skilled Workers)

4. Sudra; The workers, the lowest caste. (Unskilled Workers)

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Each caste has its own Dharma or duty. You must obey the dharma of your caste to earn good Karma and be able to be reincarnated at a higher caste in the next life.

Untouchables

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These people were the bottom of Hindu society, they are not considered part of the caste system.

About 5% of the population of India. They are required to perform the dirtiest jobs dealing with trash, human waste, and death.

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People of other castes refuse to do these jobs because they may damage their Karma.

In the past, Untouchables were not allowed to associate with people of other castes. They were even required to carry of noisemaker to warn people of the approach so they would not accidentally run into someone.

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Discrimination against them continues today, even though the caste system has been declared illegal.

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2. Reincarnation

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Rebirth according to your karma and dharma; either up or down the caste system

3. Moksha

The ultimate goal of Hinduism is to achieve Shanti or ultimate peace. To be released from the cycle of death and rebirth.

-Buddhism-

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Founder: Siddhartha Guatama

The Buddha began his life as a prince in India.

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Birth:         Was born into the wealthy warrior caste.

• It is believed that before his birth his mother had a dream of an elephant piercing her side with its tusk. This was interpreted to mean that he would be a great leader or a wandering holy man.

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Childhood:

His mother died shortly after his birth. His father lavished him with wealth so he would never want to leave the palace. He was completely sheltered from the outside world.

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Seeking Truth

Siddhartha tried many different ways of achieving enlightenment.

He tried mediation, fasting, physical discomfort, but none along worked for him.

He almost starved himself at one point. After, he knew he needed to try something different.

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Enlightenment - Belief

Siddhartha divided that he would meditate until he discovered the way to end human suffering.

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Bodhi Tree:

He sat under a Bodhi tree and said that he would not get up until he had achieved enlightenment.

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He meditated for 40 days amidst temptation, and in the end, said that he was “awake” he had achieved, Nirvana, or Enlightenment. This is when he became the Buddha, or enlightened one.

Teachings of the Buddha

The Buddha gave his first sermon in the deer park where he taught the four main ideas of his teachings.

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Four Noble Truths-Belief

1. All life is full of suffering
2. We suffer because we desire things that are illusions. We want material possessions.
3. The way to not suffer is to overcome our desire
4. To do that one must follow the Eightfold Path or Middle Way.

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The Eightfold Path (The Middle Way)-Belief

1. Right view; One must understand the four noble truths.
2. Right intention; Know what you really want
3. Right speech; Speak truth and speak well of others
4. Right action; Do not kill, steal, lie, be unchaste, or take drugs or alcohol.
5. Right livelihood; Don’t do a job that harms others.
6. Right effort; do your best, always
7. Right mindfulness; Keep control of yourself and your urges
8. Right concentration; one must meditate to understand the world

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Spread of Buddhism

Convents and Monasteries: Social Effects-- The Buddha had many followers, both men, and women. He did not discriminate based on gender.

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Death of the Buddha: He died of food poisoning at the home of a friend.

Scriptures: NO HOLY TEXT

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Teachings

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Caste System: The Buddha REJECTED the caste system. He said all people were capable of achieving enlightenment in one lifetime. Although not everyone did, so Buddhism does believe in reincarnation.

No GOD- No Holy Text

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Origin: India; spread to China and then to SE Asia Dynasty

How did Buddhism spread?

Asoka, Missionaries

Reincarnation

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Belief: The Buddha taught the belief of Samsara or Reincarnation. As long as one is tied to material possessions of this earth and does not achieve enlightenment then one will have suffering.

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Nirvana Belief: The ultimate goal of Buddhism, to be released from the cycle of death and rebirth.