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