eastern religious philosophies hinduism and buddhism hinduism old indian religion both polytheistic...
TRANSCRIPT
Eastern Religious PhilosophiesHinduism and BuddhismHinduismOld Indian religionBoth polytheistic and
monotheisticAll powerful world soul or
force in all of usBased on reincarnation and
the caste systemAll of us are trying to rejoin
the world’s soul
BuddhismSiddartha Gautama – first Buddha or
“enlightened one”Based on understanding relationship
between desire and painEliminate desire to eliminate sufferingEliminate desire = achieve Nirvana
and break cycle of reincarnation
Hinduism in DetailOldest surviving major world religionPolytheistic and monotheistic at the same timeBrahman – the world’s soul (monotheistic)Different Hindu gods -- really just manifestations of BrahmanCreation – Brahman shattered – each of us has a piece of Brahman – it’s
the “life force” in all living thingsReincarnation – cycle of rebirth based on Karma (the way you live your
life)– we’re all eventually trying to rejoin Brahman – only members of the priest class with good Karma will be able to rejoin Brahman
Caste system: 14 levels of humans from Brahmin (priest class) to Untouchables (lowest humans)
Buddhism in DetailSiddhartha Gautama – Hindu prince who had a crisis of faith and
walked among the people and observed the worldFour Noble Truths
Everyone suffersSuffering is caused by desireTo eliminate suffering – eliminate desireTo eliminate desire – follow the Eight fold path to righteousness
Eliminating desire would thus allow a person to become “enlightened” or a Buddha. This was called achieving a state called Nirvana
Achieve Nirvana and break the cycle of reincarnation and join the world’s soul
Anyone not achieving Nirvana would ensure their good Karma and would go up on the ladder of reincarnation