vedic tribes of the iron age developed from prehistoric belief systems of the indus river valley the...
DESCRIPTION
Common Charactaristics: Prehistoric oral traditions become the vedas, a collection of scriptures written in sanskrit. An umbrella term for a collection of traditions based on the vedas, without a unified structure, creed, or belief system. Brahmins: Teachers & Priests Kshatriyas: Warriors, Nobles, and Kings Vaishyas: Farmers & Merchants Shudras: Servants & Laborers “Untouchables” : The Non-Caste * Existence of God or Gods * Society Divided into castes * Belief in an eternal soul * Reincarnation after deathTRANSCRIPT
BUDDHISM
HINDUISM
Vedic Tribes of the Iron Age
Developed from prehistoric belief systems of the Indus River
Valley
The modern understanding of an ancient, polytheistic faith native to
South Asia.“Oldest Living Religion”
HINDUISM
Common Charactaristics:
Prehistoric oral traditions become the vedas,
a collection of scriptures written in sanskrit.An umbrella term for a collection of
traditions based on the vedas , without a unified structure, creed, or belief
system.Brahmins: Teachers & PriestsKshatriyas: Warriors, Nobles, and KingsVaishyas: Farmers & MerchantsShudras: Servants & Laborers
“Untouchables” : The Non-Caste
* Existence of God or Gods* Society Divided into castes* Belief in an eternal soul
* Reincarnation after death
INTRODUCING SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA Born a Brahmin Prince, circa 663 BCE The Legend:
Prophesied to be either a great king of men, or a great religious figure.
His father, not wanting his son to be an poor monk, shut Siddhartha off from the world.
Life of luxury, free from suffering. A normal day for Prince
Siddhartha.
INTRODUCING SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA At Age 29, Siddhartha escapes the
palace The Legend:
Sees suffering, sickness, and death for the 1st time.
Realizes he, too, will suffer and die. Throws his world into turmoil!
Prince Siddhartha sees the four
sights • An Old Man• A Dying Man• A Dead Body• An aesthetic
monk
INTRODUCING SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA At Age 29, Siddhartha rejects his old
life The Legend:
Becomes an aesthetic monk. Seeks an answer to human suffering. Spent six years following this lifestyle
Prince Siddhartha eventually rejects this extreme, as
well.
Sits down under a
bodhi tree tomediate until
hesolves the
riddle.
BECOMING THE BUDDHA At Age 35, Siddhartha has a revelation. Reaches Nirvana:
A state of enlightenment. Understands why humans suffer. Understands how to stop suffering.
Spends the next 45 years teaching. Becomes the Buddha (Teacher).
Prince Siddhartha achieving Nirvana.
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS1. To live is to suffer.2. Desires cause
suffering.3. Eliminate desire,
Eliminate suffering 4. To accomplish this,
follow the noble eightfold pathAccomplishing this will
free one’s soul from the infinite cycle of
reincarnation!
NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH Right
Understanding Right Motivation Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Meditation
SPREAD OF BUDDHISM• Best seen
originally as a Vedic reform movement
• Buddhists teachers spread their faith
• Melds with local folk beliefs, forming various sects or “schools” of Buddhism
DIFFERENT SCHOOLS OF BUDDHISM• Theravada
• Doctrine of the Elders• “Southern” Buddhism• One School
• Mahayana• The Great Vehicle• “Northern” Buddhism• Umbrella Term for
Many SchoolsBuddhism took different forms and characteristics in different places.
AFTERWARDSYou must be your own lamps, Be your own refuges. Take refuge in nothing outside yourselves. Hold firm to the Dharma as a lamp and a refuge. Do not look for refuge to anything besides yourselves. — From the Nirvana Sutra
1. What contradictory instructions are at the heart of this passage?
2. How might it be possible to follow these two contradictory instructions?