Hinduism and Buddhism Background for. Siddhartha

Transcription

1 Hinduism and Buddhism Background for Siddhartha

2 Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism Emerged in India B.C. One of the World s oldest living religions No individual founder Buddhism is much newer, by about 1500 years, and it is a reform of Hinduism.

3 Structure of Hindu Society/Caste System (4 Castes) Brahmans = Priests Kshatriyas = Warriors Vaisyas = Merchants Shudras = Laborers (Castes are a religious hierarchy, not an economic one) Outside Caste System Sadhus [samanas]/wandering monks Untouchables

4 Some Essential Concepts of Hinduism: Reincarnation Karma = good deeds/bad deeds that determine rebirth Maya = illusion (the earth often represented Maya) Samsara = the false world itself/the product of illusion Yoga = the process of meditation Yogi = spiritual teacher/adviser Atman = the individual soul/the divine part of a person Brahman = the universal soul (the divine/god) Enlightenment/liberation = the realization that Atman and Brahman are identical (Nirvana) Om = a highly symbolic sound made to focus and guide religious meditation. Each syllable represents a universal element.

5 From Hinduism to Buddhism: Reformation Buddha (c B.C.) Named Shakyamuni (known as Siddhartha Gotama) He was a prince Recognized at birth as special: bound to be a special monk or great conqueror Buddha did not believe in the Caste System or in many Hinduism traditions

6 Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) The Four Sights - at 29 he left the palace and saw: A sick man An old man A dead man A monk What could this mean? What could these sights have in common?

7 Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Wandering He decided to leave the palace and seek the truth for himself. He tried to follow these methods to attain truth/enlightenment: Dharma doing one s duty to family, etc. Kama pleasure, especially sexual Artha Wealth, money, material possessions Moksha Liberation/Retirement

8 Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) Attainment Nothing worked. Finally, desperate for meaning, he sat under the bodhi (bo) tree and intended not to arise until he attained enlightenment or else died. He became enlightened and proceeded to teach 4 noble truths : Life is suffering The cause of suffering is desire/selfishness Suffering can be stopped The way to end suffering is to follow the eight-fold path of Buddhism Basically the middle-way ; avoid excess

9 Theory of Dependent Origination at heart of Buddhism Everything is caused by something else (cause/effect) Nothing exists on its own Nothing is permanent or unchangeable Everything can be changed

10 Siddhartha and the Buddha Hesse s Siddhartha shares his name with the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) Like Siddhartha, Gautama was born an upper-class Hindu in India. Like Siddhartha, Guatama left home to seek a religious goal and searched for years. Like Siddhartha, Siddhartha Gautama studied with famous gurus of the day, but found their doctrines lacking.

11 Siddhartha and The Buddha From there, Hesse s Siddhartha takes a divergent path from Siddhartha Guatama. Note: The name Siddhartha means one who has reached his goal or one who has found meaning (in existence).

12 Siddhartha The Setting Setting: India, where Siddhartha encounters the Buddha (563 BC 483 BC) Siddhartha is a Brahmin, a member of the highest ranking social class of the Hindus the priest class (Not to be confused with Brahman )

13 Siddhartha Characters Siddhartha The novel s protagonist. Siddhartha sets out on a quest for enlightenment and tests the religious philosophies he discovers. Govinda Siddhartha s best friend and sometimes his follower. Like Siddhartha, Govinda devotes his life to the quest for understanding and enlightenment. Gotama An enlightened religious leader with many followers. Also known as the Buddha, Gotama is said to have attained Nirvana.

14 Siddhartha Characters Kamaswami - An older businessman who teaches Siddhartha the art of business. Vasudeva The enlightened ferryman who guides Siddhartha to a transcendent understanding of himself and the universe. Kamala A courtesan who instructs Siddhartha in the art of physical love. In addition to being Siddhartha s lover, Kamala helps him learn the ways of the city and leave his ascetic life as a Samana behind.