Comparing and Contrasting

Complex History– Nothing Written– No Founder– Many Sects

Aryan herders invaded India– Indus River Valley– Spread language & religion– Caste System

– Polytheism– Many gods part of one supreme God

– Complex Rituals– Sacrifices

– Vedas– sacred text

– Reincarnation– Vegetarians– Karma– Moksha– Meditation and yoga– Dharma

– Trade Spread Culture– Hinduism spread to Southeast Asia

• Jainism• Nonviolence

• Siddhartha Gautama– Sheltered Hindu Prince– Wanted to end suffering– “Buddha” “Enlightened One”

To End Suffering• Four Noble Truths

• Suffering is part of life• Being Self-centered causes suffering• Eliminate attachment to achieve Nirvana• Eightfold Path – the right things to do

• Eightfold Path can lead to Nirvana • Speech• Action• Livelihood• Effort• Mindfulness• concentration

• Dharma – collection of teachings • Memorized & Spread by Monk & Missionaries

• Silk roads brought culture and economic changes to China

• Han Dynasty– China only ones making silk– Increased contact with the West– Buddhism appealed to ordinary people

• Cultural Diffusion– Spread ideas, customs, religion

• India • Buddhist King Asoka 269 B.C.E.

• Sent Missionaries to spread Buddhism

• Raids by Muslims destroyed Buddhism in India

• Changes in Hinduism• Written in common languages

• Buddhism declined in India, but had spread to other Asian countries

• www.DiscoverEducation.com

• Atlas of World Faiths: Hinduism, Rasamandala, Das. Arcturus Publishing Limited, Minnesota 2008.

• Atlas of World Faiths: Buddhism. Ganeri, Anita. Arcturus Publishing Limited, Minnesota 2008.