This document provides an overview of Hinduism and Buddhism, two major religions that originated in ancient India. It discusses key concepts in Hinduism like reincarnation, karma, and dharma. It explains that Hinduism does not have a single founder and incorporates beliefs from various groups over 3,500 years. Buddhism is described as founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, who taught that suffering can be eliminated by following the Noble Eightfold Path and achieving enlightenment through meditation. The document contrasts some differences between Hinduism and Buddhism and notes how Buddhism spread across Asia while declining in India over time.

1. Unit 2:
World Religions
Religions of India (Hinduism/Buddhism)

3. World Religions
Over Time

5. Key Terms
Atman
Reincarnation
Karma
Dharma
Ahimsa
Nirvana

6. Hinduism & Buddhism
■ Summary:
■ India was the
birthplace of two
major religions:
■ 1.) Hinduism
■ 2.) Buddhism

7. ■ Hinduism and
Buddhism are two
very important religions
that developed in
ancient India
■ They both
influenced Indian
civilization

8. Hinduism & Buddhism ■ Hinduism is one of the
most complex religions in
the world
■ Unlike most major
religions, Hinduism
has no single founder

9. Hinduism & Buddhism
■ Hinduism also has many sacred texts,
instead of just one
■ Hinduism has developed and changed for
over 3,500 years
■ Many different groups have added their own
beliefs and gods

10. Hinduism & Buddhism
■ To a Hindu, different gods are forms of an
all-powerful spiritual force
■ The goal of life is to become one with this
force
■ Hindus believe that it is hard to achieve this goal
in one lifetime, therefore, people are reincarnated
many times

11. Hinduism & Buddhism
■ Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul in
another bodily form
■ Hinduism is the most widely practiced
religion in India today

12. Hinduism &
Buddhism
■ The founder of
Buddhism, Siddhartha
Gautama, or Buddha,
was born about 566 B.C.
■ After studying and
reflecting, he believed
he had found the cure
for human suffering
■ Buddha taught
that people must
free themselves
from desires

13. Hinduism & Buddhism
■ Buddha urged people to live a moral life
and avoid evil words and actions
■ Through meditation, a person might achieve
enlightenment, or understanding

14. Four Noble Truths
1 All of life is
suffering.
Suffering is
caused by desire
Suffering can
be eliminated.
Suffering is eliminated
by following the Noble
Eightfold Path.
2 4
3

15. 1. Right beliefs
2. Right aspirations
3. Right speech
4. Right conduct
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right meditation
Noble Eightfold Path

16. Hinduism & Buddhism
■ Buddha attracted many followers
■ After his death, missionaries spread his teachings
across many parts of Asia
■ Although Buddhism took root in other parts of Asia,
it slowly declined in India

17. Hinduism & Buddhism
Hinduism Buddhism
-No 1 founder
-Supported Caste
System
-Developed over
3,500 years
-Important in India
today
-Told people to live
moral lives
-Accepted
reincarnation
-Goal was union
with an all-powerful
spiritual force
-Founded by Buddha
-Rejected Caste
System
-Important in Asia, but
few followers in India
today

18. Diwali Festival of
Lights