Religions of South Asia

1. Religions of South Asia

2. Five Main Religions of South Asia • Hinduism • Buddhism • Jainism • Islam---We studied Islam in depth in the Middle East Unit, so we will not be learning about this religion within this lesson. • Sikhism

3. What Religions are found in India? • Hinduism: 81.3% • Buddhism: 0.7% • Islam: 12% • Christianity: 2.3% • Jainism: 0.5% • Sikhism: 1.9%

4. CULTURE OF SOUTH ASIA A culturally fragmented region Religious and linguistic diversity Religions Islam is predominant in Pakistan and Bangladesh (165 million in India). Hinduism is predominant in India. Sikhism thrives in northern India. Buddhism is predominant in Sri Lanka.

5. Hinduism emerged from the beliefs and practices brought to India by the Aryans. (6th century BC) Buddhism emerged during the 6th century BC; made the state religion of India in 3rd century BC Islam swept through central India from the 8th -10th centuries AD

6. RELIGIOUS CONTRASTS ISLAM Monotheistic No idols One sacred book Uniform dogma - 5 pillars Intolerant (of other religions) Eat beef/Sacrifice cows Bury Dead Social Equality (in theory) Theocratic society HINDUISM Polytheistic Many idols Various sacred writings Varying beliefs Absorbed other religions Venerate cows Burn dead (& alive) Caste separation “State” of secondary importance

7. Hindu/Muslim-practices/perceptions • Hindus tend to be vegetarians (ahimsa and reincarnation beliefs foster this) • Cows are sacred animals • Believe in reincarnation • Brahman, if it is God, is an impersonal one • Follow caste system – no social or religious mobility within one lifetime • Formerly practiced sutee • Muslims see Hindus as polytheistic infidels not to be tolerated • Muslims eat meat (cows) – not pork • Muslims are strict monotheists • Muslims believe in a personal God • Muslims reject the concept of castes – equality of believers • Reject reincarnation Globalization & Diversity: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, Wyckoff

8. Similarities Between Hinduism and Buddhism • Both religions believe in the concept of karma and reincarnation. • Both emphasize compassion and non-violence towards all living beings. • Both believe in spiritual practices like meditation and concentration to help reach a certain state of mind. • Both believe in renunciation of worldly life to enter spiritual life. Both consider desire as the chief cause of suffering. • Both believe that liberation, nor rebirth or heavenly life, is the best solution to the problem of suffering and bondage.

9. Similarities Between Hinduism and Buddhism • Both believe the goal of religion is to attain enlightenment and be released from the cycle of rebirth and death. • This is not all the similarities, but a starting point for your compare and contrast essay!

10. Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism • Hinduism was not founded by any prophet. Buddhism was founded by the Buddha. • Hinduism believes in the supremacy of the Vedas and Caste System. While Buddhists reject the Vedas and Caste System. • Buddhism does not believe in the existence of souls who come from God. While Hindus believe in the existence of Atman, which is the individual soul and Brahman, the Supreme Creator.

11. Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism • Hinduism believes in the trinity of Gods. The Buddhist doe not accept any Hindu god either as an equal or superior to the Buddha. • The original followers of Buddhism as taught by Buddha do not worship the images of Buddha nor believe in the Bodhisattvas. • Hinduism recognizes four chief aims of life: dharma, artha, kama, and mosksha. Buddhism considers the world full of suffering and resolving it the chief purpose of life through dharma and liberation/nirvana.

12. Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism • Hindus believe in the four ashrams or stages of life. This is not followed in Buddhism. People can join the Buddhist Order any time depending on their spiritual preparedness. • Buddhists organize themselves into a monastic Order. And the monks live in groups. Hinduism is basically a religion of the individual.

13. Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism • Buddhism believes in the concept of Bodhisattvas. Hinduism does not. • Buddhism acknowledges the existence of some gods and goddesses, but they are not very important. • Buddhists require following the Eight-Fold Path and believing in the Four Noble Truths for liberation. Hinduism offers many choices to its followers on the path of self-realization.

14. Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism • Although both religions believe in karma and rebirth, they differ in the manner in which they operate and the impact they have on the existence of individual beings. • A God or gods have been wholly rejected by Theravda Buddhists. Their only refuge are the three jewels of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

15. Differences Between Hinduism and Buddhism • The previous slides contain only some of the differences, but not all. • They are a starting point for your compare and contrast essay.

16. Hinduism

17. One of the world’s oldest religions. Not just a religion; also a culture in itself. HINDUISM

18. Hinduism • Originated more than 3000 year ago. • Do not have 1 specific founder. • 3rd most practiced religion in the world with about 1 billion followers (1.4 million in US) • Originated in India • Belief in a supreme spirit • Oldest in the world but developed over the centuries from many different texts. • There is no hierarchy like Catholic

19. Religions Hinduism Grew out the Aryan culture, the Vedas, and the work of Brahman priests Everyone has a moral duty: dharma Good actions are rewarded and bad ones punished: karma People are reincarnated and either move up or down on the caste system based on their karma Ultimate goal is to be reunited with the universal spirit after living as Brahman priest

20. 2500 – 250 BC 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 Buddhism. • One of the oldest religions of humanity, founded in 1500 BCE or earlier. • It is the 3rd largest religion in the world. • No particular founder Brahman

21. Background • The term Hindu originates from the Sindhu, the ancient name for the Indus river. • Classical language=Sanskrit. It is the language for Hinduism and is one of India’s 22 official languages (less than 50000 fluent) • The faiths traditions and beliefs developed from the ancient Vedic tradition.

22. MAJOR TENETS OF HINDUISM Three main ideas are important in understanding the Hindu religion and the caste system Reincarnation Karma Dharma

23. REINCARNATION Every living thing has a soul. When a living thing dies, its soul moves into another living creature. Souls are reborn in a newly created life.

24. What is reincarnation according to the Hindus? • It is rebirth of the soul in various forms. • After the body dies, the soul may be reborn as anything from a god to a flower to a snake. • Each form in only temporary.

25. KARMA Every action brings about certain results. There is no escaping the consequences of one’s actions. Good behavior is rewarded when the soul is reborn into a higher ranking living creature.

26. Karma • The cycle of reincarnation continues until one reaches moksha. The cycle is governed by the law of karma. • Karma is derived from the Sanskrit word: ‘to do”. • The law of karma states that every deed-mental or physical-in this life affects a person’s fate in a future life. • Your present situation is the result of your deeds in a past existence, says karmic law.

27. Hinduism– Beliefs • How does a Hindu achieve moksha? • Karma: every deed in a person’s life affects a person’s fate in a future life • Reincarnation: rebirth of the soul • Karma determines where you are reincarnated in the caste system • Good Karma = higher in caste system • Bad Karma = lower in caste system

28. DHARMA A set of rules that must be followed by all living things if they wish to work their way up the ladder of reincarnation. Each person’s dharma is different.

29. Hinduism– Beliefs • How does a Hindu achieve moksha? • Dharma: duties and obligations of your caste • Doing your dharma will get you good karma

30. Hinduism– Beliefs • Atman: the essential self • Also, part of the Brahman • Nonviolence • Every living thing has an atman

31. Unity of all Life---Atman • “The essential self or the vital essence in human is the same as that in an ant, the same as that in a gnat, the same as that in an elephant…indeed the same as that in the whole universe.”

32. Ahimsa • Seeing all life as sacred – a part of a “oneness” • Results in the life principle of non-violence • Supports the idea of being in harmony with nature • A principle also found in Jainism and Buddhism Globalization & Diversity: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, Wyckoff

33. Hinduism– Beliefs • Moksha: freeing your atman/soul from your body • The ultimate goal of all Hindus • Your atman is reunited with the Brahman and you will have true peace. Brahman

34. Hinduism– Beliefs • How does a Hindu achieve moksha? • Caste system: strict social classes • Handed down from the Aryan varna • A Hindu must reach the top of the caste system in order to achieve moksha • How do you get to the top? Priests, “brahman” Traders, merchants Commoners, peasants Untouchables

35. CASTE SYSTEM 1)Brahmans, the priestly and learned class; 2)Kshatriyas, the warriors and rulers; 3) Vaisyas, farmers and merchants; 4)Sudras, peasants and laborers. 5)Panchamas, “the untouchables” who performed the most menial tasks.

36. The Varna (Caste System) 4 different castes– Never change within a lifetime. • Brahmin- priests and educated people • Kshatria- Rulers and Aristocrats • Vaisia- Landlords and Businessmen • Sundra- Peasants and working class Untouchables (literally cannot be touched by the other 4 castes)- Cleaning, sewage, etc.

37. Jat • The Varna is broken down further into various Jat or Jati. • Must eat according to Caste • Must work according to Caste • Must marry within the Caste

38. Hinduism– Beliefs • Brahman: the single supreme force of the universe • Only a few people can fully understand it • Many gods are worshiped as part of the Brahman • Nameless, formless, unlimited • Names and faces given to certain aspects of the Brahman: Shiva, destroyer Brahma, creator Vishnu, protector

39. 2500 – 250 BC What do Hindus believe? • 1. Brahman -the eternal being - created and preserves the world. Everything in the world is an aspect of Brahman. • 2. Atman - the soul – each person has one that is an aspect of Brahman. Can’t ever be destroyed. • 3. Devas – manifestations of Brahman that are active in the world and who help to maintain order. • 3 of the most common—Brahma, Vishnu, & Siva • 4. Reincarnation – being reborn into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara) • 5. Karma – the sum effect of a person’s actions, good and bad, which helps shape future experiences • 6. Moksha - goal of human existence, escape from the cycle of reincarnation to join with the Brahman. • 7. Dharma – set of spiritual duties and obligations that must be fulfilled to achieve moksha.

40. Hinduism • Sacred texts • Vedas – scriptures/hymns that explain Hindu teachings • Upanishads • Help explain the ideas of the Vedas Vedas

41. Vedas and Roots of Hinduism • Unlike many religions, Hinduism bases its principles on a collection of teachings compiled over time. • Earliest collection are the Vedas Scriptures. • Other notable scriptures are the Bhagavad-Gita, the Brahma Sutras, and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata

42. 2500 – 250 BC What are the Sacred Texts? • Oldest, most authoritative: • 1. Four Vedas (“truth”) – sacred hymns of praise • Contain knowledge revealed by Brahman • 2. Upanishads – philosophical reflections on the Vedas • Also revealed to, not written by, people • the Great Indian Epics (composed by sages) • Ramayana • Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-Gita) • Both tell stories that reflect on what it means to live according to Vedic teachings

43. THREE BASIC PRACTICES • Puja or worship – corporate worship not required – largely individual practices • Cremation of the dead • Regulations of the caste system Globalization & Diversity: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, Wyckoff

44. 2500 – 250 BC What are the religious practices of Hinduism? • Vary greatly because worship can take place anywhere—usually a temple or in the home. • Spiritual leaders are called gurus or sages. • Yoga-integrated physical and mental exercises. They teach people to focus their minds and bodies which will aid their meditation in order to attain moksha • Pilgrimage to Ganges (thought it flows through 2 devas so its water is holy. Bathing in it will purify them and remove bad karma. • Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)

45. Hindu and Diet • Many Hindus are vegetarian • Since the divine soul flows through all beings, many devout Hindus support non-violence. • Some will not eat meat on important days • If meat is eaten, usually fish or chicken • Cows are Venerated (highly respected) at it is illegal to slaughter a cow in most Indian states • Because they provided milk and helped plow fields. They were caretakers

46. 2500 – 250 BC Who do Hindus worship? – 3 Most Important Devas Brahma, the creator Vishnu, the Preserver Siva, the Destroyer

47. The Three Main Gods of Hinduism • Brahma: the creator • Vishnu: the preserver • Shiva: the destroyer • Different sects worship different gods and their families. • Hindus believe in the unity of all life and every person has an essential self or atman: part of the universal soul.

48. Brahma: the creator

49. Vishnu: the preserver

50. Shiva: the destroyer