Hinduism and Buddhism
(Pages pp. 48 - 52 (5)
(Page 58 Bits of Wisdom)
- Hinduism - a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out
of the teaching of Gautama Buddha that suffering is inherent in life and
that one can be liberated from it by mental and moral self-purification.
- Vedas – a set of four collections of hymns and
religious ceremonies, all passed down through oral tradition by Aryan
priests.
- Gods of Hinduism – Parent god was Dyaus, Great warrior
god Indra, represented in nature by thunder, summoned people to war.
Varuna, god of justice, eventually evolved into modern god Vishnu. There
were other gods that represented other parts of human life.
- Brahmins – the priestly class, were the ones who could
read and write.
- Asceticism - practicing strict self-denial as a
measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline. Originally done
to get magical powers, wow. Evolved into Yoga.
- Brahman – ultimate reality. Sometimes regarded as
creator god.
- Atman – individual self, not real.
- Upanishads – commentaries written on the Vedas.
- Reincarnation - idea that individual soul is reborn in
a different form after death and progresses through several existences on
the wheel of life until it reaches its final destination in a union with
the Great World Soul, known as Brahman.
- Karma – main idea of reincarnation, basically, actions
in life.
- Five Classes of People – Pariahs (untouchables) had to
snap sticks before coming in front of people, were the lowest class, non
human. Sudras are second up, considered people, normal people peasants.
Vaisyas are the commoners and merchants. Kshatriya, next up, one of the
twice born, nobles and warriors. Brahmins, twice born, priests.
- Dharma – law, what is right and wrong.
- Trinity Gods – Brahman, the creator, Vishnu, the
preserver, and Siva, the destroyer.
- *Mahabharata – Epic of early Aryan people. Tells that
knowledge is the most valuable possession, darkness covers everything, and
that we are one with everything.
*brown box reading
-Jose Lepe
Period 4