Hinduism and Buddhism

Hinduism and Buddhism is a way of live rather than a religion as regarded in the western world. Students will explore the two through a powerpoint presentation and lecture and Follow up with a lesson observing the many deities through art.

Shiva

It is difficult to date the beginning of Hinduism nor can we say there was ever a founder but we do know there are hundreds of deities that are worshipped. Hinduism evolved over centuries and some scholars believe that some Harappan deities 1900 B.C.E survived the collapse of the larger society and made its way into the Hindu religion. There are many shared similarities between the values of the Harappan and Hindu deities of fertility and procreation. During the second century B.C.E Indo Europeans from the north began to migrate to the Indus Valley where the Dravidians were already settled. Indo- European and Dravidians intermarried, interacted and laid social and cultural foundation that still influence Indian society today.

Buddhism can be traced back to its founder Sidharta Gautama. After denouncing his princely lifestyle in search for Enlightenment about 528 B.C.E, he publicly announced his doctrine at the Deer Park at Sarnath. Today Buddhism has spread into two major sects, Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.

Page under construction