Transcript From the hearth of South Asia

December 3, 2013
Give an example of a religious
ritual associated with birth
From the hearth of
South Asia
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism
Hinduism
It teaches its disciples that the
principles of life can be discovered
through meditation, and has no Holy
Book.
 However, writings like the
Upanishads and the Bhagavad
Gita provide guidance and
inspiration
 They speak of an ancient struggle
between order and chaos.
 Hinduism is the third largest religion
in the world with 1 billion adherents
(followers), and the most popular
religion in India and Nepal

Hinduism
 Hinduism
is the third largest religion
 Began 4,000 years ago


 It
The practice of Hinduism began before the
Aryans arrived, and involved ritual bathing,
and a belief in reincarnation
The Aryans named it, created holy books, and
developed the caste system
can be described as polytheistic or
monotheistic (Brahman)
Gods: Hindus believe that there
are many gods and goddesses.
Each of these gods, however, is
a manifestation (form) of one
Supreme Being
Reincarnation: Hindus believe that
at death, a person’s soul is reborn
as another living thing. This
creates an endless cycle of rebirth
of each soul
MAJOR BELIEFS OF HINDUISM
Karma: Karma refers to a person’s behavior
in life, which Hindus believe determines
that person’s form in the next life. People
who live a good life will be reborn in a
higher caste, and those who do not, will be
reborn in a lower caste
Sacred Objects: Hindus believe the
Ganges River is sacred and has the
power to wash away sin and evil.
The cow is also considered sacred.
As a result, religious Hindus do not
eat beef.
Diffusion of Hinduism

Hinduism began in what is now Pakistan, and
diffused to India and Southeast Asia
 How it diffused is unclear



Christianity’s influence weakened the caste system
Islam led to Sikhism, which rejects the worship of
idols and the caste system, but retains reincarnation
and karma
Buddhism and Islam now dominate SE Asia
• Indonesia has the world’s highest concentration of Muslims

Today, most Hindus live in India
Hinduism Chart
Origins
Adherents
and History Worldwide
God(s) and
Universe
Human
Situation
and Life’s
Purpose
Afterlife
Practices
Texts
Indigenous
religion of
India
One Supreme
Reality
(Brahman)
manifested in
many gods
and
goddesses
Humans are
in bondage to
ignorance and
illusion, but
are able to
escape.
Purpose is to
gain release
from rebirth,
or at least a
better rebirth.
Reincarnation
until gain
enlightenment
Yoga,
meditation,
worship
(puja),
devotion to a
god or
goddess,
pilgrimage to
holy cities,
live according
to one's
dharma
(purpose/
role).
The Vedas,
Upanishads,
Bhagavad
Gita,
Ramayana, et
c.
900 million
Buddhism
Buddhism began in Nepal around
500 b.c.e.
 Today, there are over 350 million
adherents, mostly located in East
and Southeast Asia

Buddhism


Prince Siddhartha Gautama lived a life of great luxury. One day,
he looked out his palace walls and was shocked by all the suffering
he saw
This prompted him to leave his family and seat out in search of the
truth: suffering is caused by human desire. Gautama then became
known as “Buddha”, or enlightened one.


He said salvation can be obtained by anyone,
regardless of their social position
Enlightenment comes through knowledge,
elimination of greed, craving, and desire; complete
honesty; and never harming a human or animal
Basic Philosophy: Buddhism is based on a
philosophy of self-denial and meditation.
Buddhists also believe in reincarnation.
Gods and Holy Book: Buddhists do not
believe in a single “Supreme Being”.
They also do not have a primary holy
book. Their basic beliefs are found in
books called Sutra
MAJOR BELIEFS OF BUDDHISM
Four Noble Truths:
These truths explain
life’s meaning.
1)Life means suffering.
2)The origin of suffering
is attachment.
3)The cessation of
suffering is attainable.
4)The path to the
cessation of suffering is
the Eightfold Path
Nirvana: by following
the Eightfold Path, an
individual can escape
the soul’s endless
reincarnations and
achieve Nirvana-a
state of eternal peace
and bliss
The Eightfold Path: to
give up selfish human
desires, Buddhists believe
one should follow this
path:
1) Right view
2) Right intention
3) Right speech
4) Right speech
5) Right livelihood
6) Right effort
7) Right mindfulness
8) Right concentration
Diffusion of Buddhism
 Buddhism
diffused from India under the
influence of Emperor Asoka
 He made his state a Buddhist state, and
sent out missionaries to other countries
 It spread throughout Eastern and
Southeastern Asia, but declined in India

It thrives in Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Nepal, Tibet,
and Korea
 Today
it has 347 million adherents
Buddhism Chart
Origins
Adherents
and History Worldwide
God(s) and
Universe
Human
Situation
and Life’s
Purpose
Afterlife
Practices
Texts
Founded by
Siddharta
Gautama (the
Buddha) in c.
520 BC, NE
India.
Theravada
atheistic;
Mahayana
more
polytheistic.
Buddha
taught
nothing is
permanent.
Purpose is to
avoid
suffering
and gain
enlightenment
and release
from
cycle of
rebirth,
or at least
attain
a better
rebirth
by gaining
merit.
Reincarnation
(understood
differently
than in
Hinduism,
with
no surviving
soul) until
gain
enlightenment
Meditation,
mantras,
devotion to
deities
(in some
sects),
mandalas
(Tibetan)
Tripitaka (Pali
Canon);
Mahayana
sutras like the
Lotus
Sutra; others.
360 million
Sikhism
Sikhs live mainly in Northern
India and practice a religion
that is based on both Hindu
and Islam
 Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in
reincarnation. Like Muslims,
Sikhs believe in one God.
Sikhs believe that God can be
known through meditation, or
a form of deep contemplation.
 Sikhs believe that everyone
has an equal status in the eyes
of God
 Today, there are 16 million
Sikhs found mainly in India

The Five K’s are articles of faith that a Sikh
must wear at all times to demonstrate
commitment to the faith
Kesh:
uncut hair
Kangha:
a wooden
comb
Kachera:
A specific type
of cotton
undergarments
Kanga, Kara and Kirpan –
three of the five Ks
Kirpan:
A strapped
curved sword
Kara:
A metal
bracelet
Sikhism Chart
Origins
Adherents
and History Worldwide
God(s) and
Universe
Human
Situation
and Life’s
Purpose
Afterlife
Practices
Texts
Guru Nanak,
c. 1500 AD,
Punjab, India.
One God (Ik
Onkar, Nam)
Overcome the
self, align life
with will of
God, and
become a
"saint soldier,"
fighting for
good.
Reincarnation
until resolve
karma and
merge with
God.
Prayer and
meditation on
God's name,
services at
temple
(gurdwara),
turban and
five Ks.
Balance work,
worship, and
charity.
Adi Granth
(Sri Guru
Granth Sahib)
23 million
The Sikh Next Door
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FUp87
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