Buddhism

A: Who benefited from Hinduism?

The caste system of Hinduism created an order and structure to society. Those who were high-caste were valued and acknowledged their positions of superiority. They were in favor of the caste system as it kept them in power.

Those who were low-caste and did not have the respect and prestige of the higher social classes felt resigned to their fates in this life and saw far less value in the caste system, as it did not support their ambitions or ultimate spiritual hopes. Still, changing a culture and a history of the faith as it continued to exist would not be an easy task....

The history of Hinduism (article) | Khan AcademyDuring the Maurya and Gupta empires, the Indian culture and way of life were deeply influenced by Hinduism.

B: Groups react to Hinduism

Although Hinduism was widely practiced and accepted in India, not everyone was in agreement with the practices and beliefs of that faith. People who were not satisfied sought out new religious ideas, including those of the Jains and the Sikhs.

C: Jain says...

Jainism

Jainism is based on the teaching of Mahavira. Raised as a Hindu, Mahavira thought that Hinduism put too much emphasis on rituals. His teachings chose to focus on four (4) basic principles:

- injure no life
- tell the truth
- do not steal
- own no property

Due to its principle of injuring no life, Jains practice nonviolence (the avoidance of violent actions); this is known as ahimsa. The Jain practice of nonviolence stems from the belief that everything is part of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (Hinduism). Jains value the lives of every living creature, including humans, animals, insects, and plants. Because they do not want to hurt living creatures, Jains are vegetarians. They do not eat any food that comes from animals.

An overview of Jainism...

D: Sikh of the current offerings

Sikhism

Hundreds of years after Jainism was established, Sikhism has its foundations in the teachings of Guru (guru is Sanskrit for "teacher") Nanak who lived in the 1400s C.E. Like Mahavira, Nanak was raised a Hindu but became dissatisfied with the religion's teachings. Through his travels in search of a better religion, he developed teachings that blended ideas from Hinduism, Islam, and other religions. Over time, the teachings of Nanak were explained and expanded on by other gurus.

Sikhism is a monotheistic faith in which God has no physical form. The ultimate goal of Sikhism is to be reunited with God after death. In order to achieve this goal, one must meditate to find enlightenment. Like Hinduism, Sikhs believe that enlightenment may take several lifetimes, affirming the belief in reincarnation. Sikhism teaches that people should live truthfully and treat all people equally, regardless of gender, social class, or any other factor. This was in direct contrast to the beliefs of the caste system created in early Hindu faiths.

What is Sikhism? What do Sikhs believe?

E: Breaking from Hinduism

If YOU were there...

You are a trader traveling in northern India in about 520 B.C.E. As you pass through a town, you see a crowd of people sitting silently in the shade of a huge tree. A man sitting at the foot of the tree begins to speak about how one ought to live. His words are like nothing you have heard from the Hindu priests.

Will you stay and listen? Why or why not?

F: The Origins of Buddhism

The journey of the young prince

CC: Buddhism

G: What is happiness?

Examine the meaning of happiness...

Complete the "Preview Activity" in TCI and explain happiness from both a general and a personal perspective.

H: A quest for answers

Chapter 16: Learning About World Religions - Buddhism

I: The Journey of a Prince to the Buddha

J: Siddhartha's search for wisdom

Great thinkers emerged who questioned the old order of things, including a young prince.

The Story of India, Ep. 2 The Power of Ideas (Buddhism 1/2)

The Temptation of Buddha

Just as Mara tempts Buddha to dissuade him from seeking enlightenment, so too have other religious stories provided insight into leaders and protagonists encountering temptation and rebuking it out of faith.

"Living with the Devil" details in greater depth the story first encountered in Lesson 16, Section 5 of TCI. Likewise, the story of "The Temptation of Jesus" from the Christian Bible draws parallel events to what Buddha experienced.

Each religion was created independent of the other, in different parts of the world, at different times in history. The unique nature of these stories and the subsequent teachings of the respective faiths is evidenced by the importance of the tales in each religion.