INDIAN RELIGIONSChapter 5: Sections 2-3

The Origins of

Hinduism

INDIAN SOCIETY DIVIDEDThe Varnas – social divisions in the

Aryan societyBrahmins – priests; highest rank

because they performed rituals for the gods

Kshatriyas – rulers and warriorsVaisyas – farmers, craftspeople &

tradersSudras – laborers & non-Aryans

THE CASTE SYSTEMDefinition – divided Indian society

into groups based on a person’s wealth, birth, or occupationNot permanent – castes, groups of

people, could move up in down, but not individual people

Untouchables – not in a caste at allCould only interact with people within

their caste

BRAHMANISMAryan religion was based on the Vedas

4 Vedaseach contained sacred hymns & poems

Later Vedic Texts were where the Arayans wrote about their thoughts and beliefDescribed religious rituals – animal sacrifices

& secret rituals only priests could performUpanishads – written in the 600s BC;

reflections on the Vedas by religious students and scholars

HINDUISM DEVELOPSA combination of Brahmanism, Persian &

other Asian cultures formed HINDUISM, the largest religion in India today

Hindu BeliefsBelieve in many gods, but three of them are

the most important:Brahma – the CreatorSiva – the destroyerVishnu – the preserver

Believe that each god is a part of a single universe called Brahman

Brahma – the creator

Siva – the destroyer

Vishnu – the preserver

LIFE AND REBIRTHEveryone has a soul, or atman, inside them

Atman contains that person’s personality, etc.Ultimate goal – reunite soul with Brahman, the

universal spirit Brahman only reality – everything else is an

illusionPeople must see through the illusion of the worldIt can take several lifetimes to see through illusions

That is why Hindus believe that souls are born and reborn many times, each time in a new body. This process is called reincarnation.

HINDUISM AND THE CASTE SYSTEM

The type of form a Hindu is reincarnated into is dependent upon a person’s Karma, the effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soulBad karma – come back as a pig, etc.Good karma – come back in a higher caste systemUltimate goal – salvation, or moksha, freedom from

life’s worries and the cycle of rebirth Dharma – must accept his/her place in society

without complaint

HINDUISM & WOMEN

Hinduism taught that both men & women can reach salvation.

But, women were considered inferior to men.

They could not participate in any rituals or read any of the sacred texts

JAINS REACT TO HINDUISM Hinduism spread widely, but not everyone

agreed with all of their practices Jainism is based on the teachings of Mahvira

Born into the Kshatriyas, one of the high castesUnhappy with the control of religion in Indian societyGame up life to become a monk and establish Jainism

Four Main Principles Injure no lifeTell the truthDo not stealOwn no property

Practice non-violence, or the avoidance of violent actionsBelieve that everything

is alive and a part of the rebirth cycle

Jains are very serious about not injuring or killing any creature – humans, animals, insects, or even plants

Vegetarians

JAINS REACT TO HINDUISM CONT.

The Origins of

Buddhism

SIDDHARTHA'S SEARCH FOR WISDOM

The Quest for AnswersSiddhartha Gautama – born into a high

caste around 563 BC.Although he never had to struggle for

anything in life, he was unhappy .He didn’t like all the suffering that went on

around him.Before he turned 30, Siddhartha left

his luxurious life behind him to find answers about the meaning of life.

The Buddha Finds EnlightenmentSpent 6 years wandering throughout India

Wanted to free his mind of daily concerns by: Fasting – going without food Meditation – the focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas

Stopped at Gaya, close to the Ganges River, sat under a tree & meditated. After 7 weeks of deep meditation, he realized why humans

suffer: WANTING WHAT WE LIKE BUT DO NOT HAVE

WANTING TO KEEP WHAT WE LIKE AND ALREADY HAVE

NOT WANTING WHAT WE DISLIKE BUT HAVE

SIDDHARTHA'S SEARCH FOR WISDOM CONT.

At about 35, Gautama found enlightenment under the tree.From that point on, he would be called Buddha, or

“enlightened one.”Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling across

northern India and teaching people his ideas. As he traveled, Buddha gained many followers. These followers were the first believers in

Buddhism, a religion based on the teachings of Buddha

SIDDHARTHA'S SEARCH FOR WISDOM CONT.