India’s Religions

Hinduism & Buddhism

Hinduism• 3rd largest religion in the

world– 1st in India

• Hindu society relies heavily on the Varnas– Rigveda

• Polytheistic (many gods)• “god or goddess is every

where and found in everything”

• 330 Million godsie: Meenakshi Amman Temple

• They believe in reincarnation– Soul comes back to live

another life• That body and life is

dependent upon previous life – (good or bad Karma)

The Varnas

The 5 Varnas or social divisions

1. Brahmins– Priests

2. Kshatriyas– Rulers & Warriors

3. Vaisyas– Farmers, craftspeople,

& traders4. Sudras– Servants (peasants)

• 5. Untouchables

• The Caste System• 3,000 separate castes• Developed special rules– Marriage– Eating

• Never caste mixing– Could be banished

Janism

• Based on Mahavira– Upset with the power of

the Brahmins• Four Principles– Injure no life – Tell the truth – Do not steal – Own no property

Janism

• Strong belief in reincarnation

• Serious about not killing ANYTHING– Vegetarians– Masks

• Nonviolence

Buddhism

• Siddhartha Guatama– Born into luxury– No struggles growing up

• The walk of reality– Old man, sick man,

corpse– Got him thinking about

life’s questions

Buddhism• Human suffering due to

three things:1. Wanting what we do

not have2. Wanting to keep what

we like & already have3. Not wanting what we

dislike but have

Buddhism

• Meditates under a tree• Tree of Wisdom– Enlightment

“Buddha” – “The enlightened one”

Buddhism

Four Noble Truths (pg. 138)

1. Suffering is part of Life 2. Suffering happens because we want things 3. Overcoming wants help us reach Nirvana 4. Follow the Eight fold path

The Eight Fold PathPage 139

1. Right Thought2. Right Intent3. Right Speech4. Right Action5. Right Livelihood6. Right Effort7. Right Mindfulness8. Right Concentration