Hinduism and Buddhism Develop

1
Hinduism and Buddhism Develop
2
Hinduism Evolves over Centuries

• Hinduism is a collection of religious beliefs
  that developed over a long period of time some
  aspects can be traced back to ancient times, but
  not one founder with one set of ideals.
• Hindus share a common belief that religion is a
  way of liberating the soul from the illusions,
  disappointments, and mistakes of everyday
  existence. The achievement of separation from
  these desires and suffering is detailed in the
  Upanishads.

3
Hinduism Evolves over Centuries

• When a person understands the relationship
  between atman (their soul) and Brahman (world
  soul), then they achieve perfect understanding
  and release from this world.
• This understanding does not come usually in one
  lifetime reincarnation in necessary. A souls
  karma, or good and bad deeds, follows it from
  reincarnation to another.
• The karma influences life circumstances, such as
  caste, etc.
• Dharma is the religious and moral duties an
  individual must have.

4
Hinduism and Society

• Hindu ideas about karma and reincarnation
  strengthened the caste system if someone was
  born as an upper-class male, it was said that he
  had good karma, or fortune. If he was born
  lower-class, it was said that he deserved it
  because of past misdeeds.
• With some exceptions, only men of the top 3
  varnas were said to be able to reach moksha
  (enlightenment).

5
The Buddha Seeks Enlightenment

• Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism. He was
  locked in his palace by his father to fulfill a
  prophecy of him becoming a great king. He
  finally left the palace and understood that only
  religion offers freedom from the cycle of birth
  and death.
• He wandered through the forests of India for 6
  years to find enlightenment. After 49 days of
  meditation under a fig tree he achieved an
  understanding of the causes of suffering in the
  world. From then on he became known as Buddha,
  or Enlightened One.

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Origins Beliefs of Buddhism

• In his first sermon, Buddha outlined the Four
  Noble Truths of his faith
• First Noble Truth Life is filled with suffering
  sorrow
• Second Noble Truth The Cause of all suffering is
  peoples selfish desire for the temporary
  pleasures of this world
• Third Noble Truth The way to end all suffering
  is to end all desire
• Fourth Noble Truth The way to overcome such
  desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the
  Eightfold Path, which is called the Middle Way
  between desires denial.

7
The Eightfold Path

• What is the Middle Way? It is the Noble
  Eightfold Path Right Views, Right Resolve,
  Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livlihood,
  Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right
  Concentration. This is the Middle Way.
• Buddha, from Samyutta Nikaya

Dharma Wheel, often used to symbolize the
Eightfold Path
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Origins Beliefs of Buddhism

• Like Hinduism, Buddha accepted reincarnation, but
  he rejected the multiple gods. He shared the
  concept of enlightenment by a belief in nirvana,
  or a release from selfishness and pain.
• The final goals of both Hinduism and Buddhism are
  similar both involve a perfect state of
  understanding and a break from the chain of
  reincarnation.