hinduism and buddhism develop on the indian subcontinent
TRANSCRIPT
Hinduism and Buddhism Develop
On the Indian Subcontinent
How did Hinduism Evolve?
No specific founder Vedic hymns interpreted = Upanishads (750-
550 BCE) Caste system/varna: determines every
aspect of an individual life (dharma)• Atman+ Brahman= moshka
• Karma determines reincarnation Faith demanded that people accept their life Protest religions: Jainism and Buddhism
Brahma: The Creator
Vishnu: The Protector
Shiva: The
Destroyer
The Hindu Caste SystemVarnas:
Priests
Warriors, PoliceMerchants
Farmers,
Peasants, Servants
The Untouchables
Siddhartha/Buddha
Lived as a prince and a beggar
The Development of Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama- Great Ruler or Spiritual Leader?
Buddha preached a path to Enlightenment to break the cycle of reincarnation and reach nirvana, a release from selfishness and pain
The Four Noble Truths
Life is filled with suffering and sorrow The cause of this suffering is selfish desire for
the temporary pleasures of this world In order to end suffering, one must end desire To overcome desire, you follow the Eightfold
Path ( the middle way between desire and self-denial)
Impact of Buddhism
Rejection of caste system appealed to the poor
Monastic spread Spread in Asia through trade and
missionary outreach absorbed by Hinduism in India Pilgrimage sites and stupas
Bodhgaya, India
A giant Buddha statue in Bamyan, Afghanistan, erected in the 6th century C.E.
Destroyed by the Taliban in 2001
Buddha at Sukhotai, Thailand
Chinese Buddha
Symbols in the images Long earlobes= Buddha
hears everything, wore big earrings
The Buddha's bump symbolizes wisdom.
A dot on the forehead represents the all seeing eye
The fingers are long, slender, and usually finely webbed to indicate that the Buddha can "catch" people, similar to the Christian idea of Jesus the fisherman. Also less likely to break,
Halo representation of light emanates from the Buddha, usually circles the whole body
This mudra shows fearlessness, protection and peace
right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward.
Shows that the hand is empty of weapons and thus indicating friendship and peace.
To western eyes, it looks like the gesture meaning "stop.“
Bhumisparsha (Earth Witness) Mudra
Symbol of Enlightenment when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness
symbolizes the union of method and wisdom
Dharmachakra (Wheel-Turning) Mudra
symbolizes the occasion when he preached to his companions the first sermon after his Enlightenment, setting into motion the Wheel of teaching.