Religions of South AsiaReligions of South Asia
•Hinduism gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism•Christianity –Jesus Christ, son of God –the Bible•Islam – Muhammad-last prophet to talk to Allah – t he Quran•Do you think Islam had an effect on Hindu India?
2500 – 250 BC
2. Hinduism?• The religion of Hinduism developed and evolved over a long time in
India, giving rise to a variety of beliefs and practices and to other religions, including Jainism
2500 – 250 BC
What is Hinduism?• One of the oldest religions of humanity• The religion of the Indian people• Its origins are difficult to trace
2500 – 250 BC
Brahman
How did Hinduism begin?
• No particular founder• Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago• Aryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago• Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago:
2500 – 250 BC
What do Hindus believe?
• One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman -the creator
• Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter • Reincarnation – reborn into this world lifetime
after lifetime (Samsara)• Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps
us bound to this world (good and bad)
2500 – 250 BC
How does Hinduism directlife in this world?
– Dharma-set of spiritual duties-based on class and station– Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles &
warriors, merchant class, servant class– Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, renunciant
2500 – 250 BC
What are the Sacred Texts?
• Shruti (“heard”) – oldest, most authoritative:– Four Vedas (“truth”) – myths, rituals,
chants– Upanishads - metaphysical
speculation• Smriti (“remembered”) – the Great
Indian Epics:– Ramayana– Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-
Gita)
2500 – 250 BC
What are the spiritualpractices of Hinduism?
• Yoga-meditation in order to attain moksha
• Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)
2500 – 250 BC
Who do Hindus worship? –the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Brahma, the creator god
2500 – 250 BC
Who do Hindus worship? –the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Vishnu, the preserver god
Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including:Rama (featured in the Ramayana)Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata)
(Each shown with his consort, Sita and Radha, respectively)
2500 – 250 BC
Who do Hindus worship? –the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer)
Appears as Shiva Nataraj,lord of the dance of creation…
and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha(the elephant headed remover of obstacles)
2500 – 250 BC
What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine
•Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, consort of Brahma
2500 – 250 BC
What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine
Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consort of Vishnu
2500 – 250 BC
What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine
•Parvati, divine mother, wife of Shiva
2500 – 250 BC
What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine
Durga, protectress
Kali, destroyer of demons
Plus about 330 million other deities
2500 – 250 BC
All these deities are butManifest forms (attributes
and functions) of theimpersonal Brahman
All these deities are butManifest forms (attributes
and functions) of theimpersonal Brahman
Jainism
•500 BC – a group of Hindus broke away•Mahavira – Jainism – thought Hindus placed too much emphasis on ritual•Ahimsa- nonviolence towards living things; avoid stealing and tell the truth
Plus about 330 million other deities
2500 – 250 BC
3. Buddhism3. Buddhism
•Buddhism, which teaches people that they can escape the suffering of the worldthrough the Buddhist teachings, developed in India and spread toother parts of Asia
2500 – 250 BC
Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
Unlike Hinduism, Buddhism can be traced to one single founder, Siddhartha Gautama
Prince of a small kingdom; he lived sheltered life and sought the answer to ending suffering
After years of meditation searching for Nirvava he became Enlightened
He transformed into Buddha
2500 – 250 BC
What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?
What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?
Desire!Desire! Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about
oneself. Give up all materials and possessions of the world.
2500 – 250 BC
Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths
There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha)
The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)
The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. (Nirvana = “extinction”)
To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.
2500 – 250 BC
Eightfold PathEightfold PathRight Understanding
Right Speech
Right Livelihood
Right Concentration
Right Mindfulness
Right Effort
Right Action
Right Intention
2500 – 250 BC
Eightfold PathEightfold Path
NirvanaNirvana
The union with the ultimate spiritual reality.
Escape from the cycle of rebirth. Reincarnation
2500 – 250 BC
Types of BuddhismTypes of Buddhism Therevada
Buddhism Mahayana
Buddhism Tibetan
Buddhism Zen
Buddhism
2500 – 250 BC
Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism
The oldest school of Buddhism. The “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle.” Found in southern Asia. The monastic life is the best way
to achieve nirvana. Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.
2500 – 250 BC
Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism
The “Great Vehicle.” Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan). Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas, wise beings. Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but
the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.
2500 – 250 BC
Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism
The “Diamond Vehicle.” [Vajrayana] Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE. A mix of Theravada and Mahayana. Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like
the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Book of the Dead
[Bardo Thodol].
2500 – 250 BC
The Dalai LamaThe Dalai Lama 2500 – 250 BC
Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment [satori] through meditation, arriving at
emptiness [sunyata]. Use of meditation masters [Roshi]. Beauty, art, and aesthetics:
Gardens. Archery. Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.
2500 – 250 BC
Buddhism in America (1999)Buddhism in America (1999)2500 – 250 BC
Relieve Stress & Meditate:Get a Mantra !
Relieve Stress & Meditate:Get a Mantra !
Ohm...mani...padme...hung...
Hail to the jewel in the lotus!
2500 – 250 BC