India. HINDUISM VS BUDDISHM
HINDUISM
Hinduism can be known to be one of the oldest religions, dating back 4,000 years ago. Hinduism is sometimes not even known as a religion but a way of life. Hindus have 7 core beliefs. 1- Belief in one universal soul. 2- Belief in an immortal soul. 3- belief in karma. 4-Belief in Moksha. 5- Belief in Vedas. 6- Belief in time. 7- Belief in dharma. Hinduism is one religion that has a mixture of traditions and philosophies.
In Hinduism there is a system called Castes which was and still is a hierarchy. The Caste system had little systems in the Caste system which were called Varnas. The Varnas put a person into there social ranking and things to determine that were hereditary roots of a newborn, color, order, or class of people. Once you were born into a Caste there was no social mobility, so what you were born in you stay in.
Brahmin is the best of the best when it came to the Caste system. The brahmin holds the most power in Hinduism. The Brahmin knew secret rituals, prayers, and were the only ones who could read the Vedas. Once a baby was born into the brahmin system the baby was admired because the baby already had their future set out to be a priest or be spiritual leaders of the society.
Kshatriya were the warriors, kings, rulers, soldiers, etc. They also held a very high authority to power second to the brahmin. If you were born into Kshatriya your duty was to defend attacks, have justice, and make sure that their subject was happy. If you were a man in Kshatriya you were able to have a woman in any Varnas system marry you. The lineage of a Kshatriya line stayed pure to ensure the throne and claim their territories.
Vaisya was the worker of the Caste system, their job was productive labor, farming, money lending, etc. The Vaisya had the third most power out of four Varnas. They also had a very important job to keep cattle/cows protected.
Sudra system was the lowest class of the 4 Varnas and has the least power. Their jobs were being maids, cooks, laborers, etc. They did not have the right to attend or even observe any type of rituals and if it did happen it was very rare. The Sudras would also serve the brahmin as their ashrams.
Brahman is the god of Hindu. In Hinduism Brahman is the ultimate reality behind life and gods and is the source and the goal of all existence.
The Hindu Trinty is made up of Brahma, Shiva, Vinshu. The Hindus had these three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to keep track of the Universe’s calendar. All three gods have their specific roles but all three gods can perform all five functions, creation, preservation, destruction, revelation and concealment.
Shiva – The Destroyer. Shiva is the one to destroy worlds, illusions, imperfections and he even destroys the old ideas to make the world better but if there was no destroyer there would be no new creation. Destruction opens a new path for new creation and without Shiva that would not happen. Shiva stands for letting go.
Vishnu – The Protector. Vinshu is the protecter of the world, he embraced all good, mercy, forgiveness. When the good and bad are defeated by the evil he may turn into human form and restore the right path. Vishnu will always preserve and protect the universe.
Brahma – The Creator. Brahma has 4 heads and that meaning is so he can oversee the whole world. As shiva destroys worlds, Brahma creates new ones. Today Brahma is one of the least worshiped gods in Hinduism.
4 yogas- Yoga is so important to Hinduism because it calms and focuses the mind which helps connect Hindus to their god. Yoga is one of the most important Hindu traditions.
Bhakti Yoga The Path through Love
Karma Yoga The Path through Work
Jnana Yoga is The Path through Knowledge
Upanishads (ascetics) are the philosophical-religious texts of Hinduism which explain and develop the basic beliefs in the religion but they are still the second major set of Hindu. Upanishad has been also known as “secret teaching” or “revealing underlying truth”. Upanishads are known for the spiritual core of Hinduism while they are only a section within the Veda.
BUDDHISM- Is one of the largest and oldest religions. There are many stories to Buddhism but whatever version helps you the most is the one for you. Buddhism has built a variety of traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices and it was founded by Siddartha Gautama in northeastern India.
The story of a man who woke up.
Buddha was known as the awakened one. Buddha was a teacher and spiritual leader who is known for being the founder of Buddhism. He lived and taught Buddhism. Buddha is mot a god but he can be known to an avatar of the god, Vishnu. When Buddha was born he fled the world with light, the blind received their sight, and the only one did not rejoice mara who tried to pull buddha off the track of light
Photo-(Cristian Violatti, "Siddhartha Gautama")
Siddhartha was once to be known as a prince but to now be known as Buddha. Siddhartha left home to find answers to suffering and along that journey, he becomes a monk. Siddhartha tried everything to become "awake" so he sat under Bo tree for 49 days. After that Siddhartha was known as the buddha "awake" to "know".
The four noble truths.
1-Life is suffering
2- Suffering Is caused by our attachment to the material world; our selfish desires.
3- Suffering can end (overcome it)
4- Follow the eight fold path which can end sufferind.
The Four Passing Sights are old age, Death, Sickness and A passing Monk.
Bo Tree "tree of awakening". Where you would go to be the enlightened one. This tree has come to represent many of the symbols in Buddhism. This tree has a connection to make a monk to the path to enlightenment.
The Eightfold Path- The path to nirvana. This path is also Buddha’s instructions to reach the end of suffering
1- Right Views: Positive Attitude.
2- Right thoughts: Considers Others
3- Right speech: Don't lie
4- Right action: Don't steal, kill, lie, be unchaste(sex), don't drink or drugs.
5- Right occupation: Don't injure, cheat.
6- Right effort: Mindful of buddha ways.
7- Right mindfulness: Knows consequences.
8- Right concentration: Purse the path.
The Dalai Lama is the leader of Faith of Buddhism/ head monk of Tibetan Buddhism and he lives in Potala. Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelugpa tradition which is the a very large and influential tradition in Tibet. (Bhuchung D Sonam)
Compassion- In Buddhism is known as Karuṇā which means to be spiritual be connect to Buddhism. Compassion is sympathy with reason, Buddhists believe that being compassionate gives you should more strength, joy, and peace. “Belongs to that category of emotions which have a more developed cognitive component.” ~Dalai Lama.
(Quote- Margaret Moodian)
Bodhisattva is "one whose goals is awaking". It is someone who is on their way to becoming a Buddha.
Mahayana is made up of many schools and human beliefs, values, and ideals in Buddhist teachings. The Mahayana practice uses Tibetan which blends with indigenous beliefs and Zen- which is found more in japan in the 21st century but its simpler, clear, and mediative. Mahayana is so important because of the building on existing schools and systems.
Photo(Eggmoon, "Buddhist Illuminated Manuscript, Goryeo Period")
Vedas (Joshua J. Mark, "The Vedas")
The Vedas were religious texts that were filled with information about Hinduism. Veda is originally known as "knowledge". When Veda began the scriptures were first orally and went master to student until the Vedas were transformed into writing between c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE. There are four texts in the Veda, Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.
The Rig Veda is filled with information about the proper religious observance and practice but can still be can still convey questions regarding existence. The Rig Veda consists of a collection of 1,028 poems grouped into 10 mandalas. The Rig Veda is also pushes question through hymns to various gods.
The Sama Veda is made up of songs, chants, and texts that are meant to be sung. Many of the Sama content comes from the Rig Veda, and the Rig Veda served as lyrics to the melodies to the Sama Veda. The Sama Veda is made up of 1,549 verses which are then divided into 2, the Gana which are the melodies, and the Arcika which are the verses. When the lyric is combined with the words it is thought to elevate the soul.
Yajur Veda is filled with recitations, ritual worship formulas, and mantras. Like the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda also has most of its content from the Rig Veda, but Yajur focuses more on the liturgy of religious observances. Like the Sama Veda, it is divided into 2 the "dark Yajur Veda” which focuses on unclear and poorly arranged parts. Then there's "Light Yajur Veda" which focuses on the better and more clear parts.
Atharva Veda is much different from the other 3 Veda and the reason for that is because it has chants, hymns, prayers, initiation rituals, marriage and funeral ceremonies, and a view on daily life. The name Atharva comes from a priest named Atharvan who supposedly was a well-known healer and religious innovator. The Atharva Veda is comprised of 20 books of 730 hymns of which some are from Rig Veda. Today not all Hindus still belive in this Veda.
Raja Yoga The Path through Psychophysical Exercises
SHARED BELIEFS
Goal Moksha which is to become one with god, to achieve perfection, peace and the are 3 key elements to achieve Moksha.
Dharma- One path, faith, most fulfilling role. Not everyone has the same path or obligations and duties according to their gender, age, and social position. In Hinduism, everyone has different dharma so what a woman might do is not correct for a man to do. Dharma can also be a service to god. Photo-(Dharma School)
Karma- When you do good you receive good, when you do bad you receive bad. Good or bad actions are in harmony with dharma, good reactions, or bad actions, against dharma, which will have the opposite effect. In Hinduism karma does not just happen in one lifetime across many lifetimes. Hindus believe for every bad and good action you take the rewards might happen in this lifetime, or a future human rebirth. Photo- (Philip Farruggio)
Samsara- Reincarnation, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This cycle the soul is reborn multiple times over again. Hindus Believe at death the soul of the dead will be placed into a new physical body, which could be human or non-human. The goal is to achieve moksha so the soul can be free from rebirth.
Photo- (Alasdair Forsythe, "Samsara, Karma & How To Escape")
(Nikul Joshi, "Caste System in Ancient India")
(Temple Purohit, "Story of early Hinduism and Trimurti")
Stages of spiritual evolution is the feeling or belief that in the world there is something better than yourself. There are 4 stages.
Stage 3- Community Centered. This stage we move on from foucusings on effort to feeling elegace. "We feel a sense of humility about being part of something greater than ourselves." (Chip Richards, "The Four Stages of Spiritual Growth").
Stage 1- Pleasure seaking. This stage can be kown as the visctim stage and its an early level of awakeness.
Stage 4- Moksha- When this stage is achieved out body's lets go, and is one with Brahman.
Stage 2- Wealth, fame, and power. This stage you to know when holding someone else accountability for your actions you are giving away power. To move on to the next stage you must let go and not blame.
Hindus and Buddhists both believe there is no god and caste. Priests can't have power over you. Everyone can achieve enlightenment. Hinduism and Buddhism are both patriarchal societies meaning men are in charge.
Ganesha is one of the most important mystical god of Hinduism and one of the most important deities. Ganesha is very recognizable because he has an elephant head on a human body. Ganesha clears the obstacles in the way for us to move forward in life. Ganesha is very powerful and is to be known to bring good luck and worship for anything new he starts. Ganesha is a remover of obstacles.
Fun Fact: When you see a statue of Ganesha rubbing his nose bring you good luck.
Photo- Is mine while I was at pearl street I found this store all about Hinduism and they really worshiped Ganesha!
4 Major Achievements for Classical Gupta:
-the Classical Gupta was the first to use Algebra.
-the Classical Gupta invented the number 0 and 1-9.
-The Gupta Dynasty re-united India.
-The Gupta Dynasty also had huge breakouts in medicine.