hinduism

Hinduism and Buddhism

EQ:

1.What are the main beliefs of

Hinduism?

2. What are the main beliefs of

Buddhism?

Hinduism –

Background

◆
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion

◆
Sacred Texts: Vedas, Ramayana,

◆ There is no single founder of the

religion.
– Hindu beliefs are a combination of the

beliefs of the early Indus Valley peoples
and the Aryans.

Main Beliefs of Hinduism

◆
Reincarnation: after death,
souls are reborn into another
form; reincarnation is
determined by karma and
dharma;

◆
Ahimsa: moral principle of
nonviolence; Hindus believe
that all things are aspects of
brahman, therefore they
should be respected;

Main Beliefs of Hinduism

◆ Karma: all the actions of a

person's life that affects his
or her fate in the next life;

– People who earn a good

karma are reborn at a
higher level of existence;

◆ Dharma: the religious and

moral duties of an
individual; duties vary
according to class,
occupation, gender or age;

– by obeying one's

dharma, a person
acquires merit for the
nextlife

Karma = actions
Dharma = duties

If you obey your dharma and

have good karma you will be
reincarnated to achieve moksha.

Buddhism –

Background Information

◆ Buddhism started in

India by the “Buddha,” or
Siddartha Gautama

◆ Founder: Siddartha

Gautama = an Indian
prince who sought to
eliminate suffering and
devoted his life to
achieving nirvana;

Main Beliefs of Buddhism

◆
Karma

◆
Dharma

◆
Reincarnation

◆
Buddhists believe
in NO GODS;

–

the Buddha was not
normally viewed as
a god;

Main Beliefs of Buddhism

◆
Four Noble Truths =

◆
Life is full of suffering

◆
Suffering is caused
by desire

◆
Eliminate suffering by
eliminating desire

◆
Eliminate desire by
following the
Eightfold Path /
Middle Way

Main Beliefs of Buddhism

◆
Eightfold Path /
Middle Way

“the right way;”
making the right
decisions,
actions, effort,
etc.

Main Beliefs of Buddhism

◆
Buddhists do not
believe in the caste
system; Buddhists
believe that anyone, at
any time, can achieve
nirvana;

◆
Nirvana = the goal of
every Buddhist;
spiritual enlightenment;

◆
Ahimsa =
NON-VIOLENCE

Multiple Choice

The teachings of Siddhartha Gautama formed the backbone of a religion that we know today as ________________________.

• Christianity

• Buddhism

• Hinduism

• Islam

Multiple Choice

A religion that believes in more than one god is considered to be...

• Monotheistic

• Polytheistic

Multiple Choice

When he left his kingdom, Siddhartha Gautama discovered that life was full of _________________________, leading him to meditate.

• Happiness

• Suffering

• Money

• Fame

Multiple Choice

How many Noble Truths are there in Buddhism?

• Three

• Four

• Five

• Six

Multiple Choice

What text was used to begin Hinduism?

• Upanishads
• Ramayana
• Vedas
• Mahabharata

Multiple Choice

What is the term for a person being reborn after a previous life?

• maya
• reincarnation
• recluse
• dharma

Multiple Choice

What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism?

• Escape the cycle of rebirth
• Reach Enlightenment
• Follow the Eightfold Path 
• Become one with Brahman

Multiple Choice

When Siddhartha left his family he was searching for a way to end what in the world?

• Hunger
• Disease
• Famine
• Suffering

Multiple Choice

To reach Nirvana for a Buddhist one must follow?

• 10 Commandments
• 5 Pillars
• Eightfold path
• 4 Noble Truths

Multiple Choice

Your good or bad actions in this life is called your ___________________, you should always try to have the good kind.

• Karma
• Dharma
• Reincarnation
• Vedas