APHG

CHAPTER 7:

RELIGION

HINDUISM (4 slides)

HINDUISM

• Ranks third in # of adherents behind Christianity & Islam

(900 million)

• Began in Pakistan (although Pakistan is Muslim today);

found mainly in India today (90% of all Hindus); spread

along trade routes (just like Buddhism)

• Dates back over 4,000 years

• No single founder, no single theology

• Ancient practices include ritual bathing & reincarnation

– Most sacred place is the Ganges River

Spread of Hinduism

Hinduism in the World Today

HINDUISM

• Many gods (although Hindus consider Hinduism to be

monotheistic)

• Major god is Brahma---other gods are various

expressions of Brahma

• Considered to be ethnic---but Hindus have migrated

into Southeast Asia & Africa and spread their faith

• No administrative or bureaucratic structure

• No prophet; no single book of scripture

• The Vedas (four texts that are sacred) are the most holy

scriptures

HINDUISM

• Fundamental doctrine is “karma”, the transferability of the soul

– Makes reincarnation important, as Hindus try to move up in the hierarchy

• Contradiction to this is the “caste system”, a social class system where people are locked in their place

• Brahma is the major deity (the creator)

• Shiva is another (the destroyer of evil)

• Vishnu is another (the preserver)

– Together they make up the “Triumvirate”; keep the earth in balance

Brahma - Creator

9

Vishnu – Preserver or Sustainer

10

Shiva - Destroyer

11

HINDUISM

• Most temples are devoted to Shiva or Vishnu

– Those who worship Vishnu believe that when he is reincarnated the end of the world is near (most believe he was a cattle herder)

– Shiva’s wife keeps him from destroying good---keeps him in balance

• Another major figure is Shakti (represents femininity)

Hindu Temples

Hindu Temples

Hindu Temple

BUDDHISM (6 slides)

BUDDHISM

• 400 million followers(most in East & Southeast Asia)

• Splintered from Hinduism over 2,500 years ago

– First appeared as a reaction to questions about Hinduism’s teachings

• Prince Siddartha Guatama, heir to a kingdom in what is now Nepal, founded Buddhism

– Came to be known as Buddha, the enlightened one

– Was very much against the Indian caste system

Buddhism in the World Today

BUDDHISM

• He believed enlightenment or “nirvana” comes through knowledge(specifically self-knowledge)

• Eliminations of greed, craving, and desires were necessary; along with complete honesty and never hurting another person or animal

• As Buddhism spread eastward into East & Southeast Asia, it began to die out in India

Spread of Buddhism

BUDDHISM

• Consists of the “Four Noble Truths” and the “Eightfold Path”

• FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

–All living beings suffer

–Suffering leads to a desire or will to live

–The ultimate goal is to leave the suffering of the Earth behind

–To find this enlightenment, one must follow the “Eightfold Path”

BUDDHISM

• EIGHTFOLD PATH

– Involves doing the right thing in terms of:

• Views

• Aspirations

• Speech

• Conduct

• Livelihood

• Endeavor

• Mindfulness

• Meditation

Eight-Fold Path Dharma Wheel

BUDDHISM

• Today there are many forms of Buddhism –Mahayana and Therevada Buddhism are

the most popular • Therevada Buddhists: salvation is achieved through

good behavior and religious activities(including possibly being a monk or nun)…big in Burma, Thailand, Laos & Cambodia

• Mahayana Buddhists: look at Buddha as being a divine savior, spend lots of time in meditation, don’t serve as monks…big in China, Japan, Korea & Vietnam

Mahayana: Prayer Wheels

25

Buddhist Temples

Buddhist Temple

Buddhist Temple

Buddha Statues

Other Buddhist Temple

Interiors

30

BUDDHISM

• Other popular forms include Zen Buddhism & Lamaism(found in Tibet)

• Communist influences in China, Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam have decreased the number of adherents