• During the early classical period another of the world’s major religions developed, Buddhism.
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE), a member of a Kshatriya family in northeastern
India.
• He led the life of a prince, comfortable and
isolated. But he wanted to know the true meaning
of existence, so he abandoned the life of pleasure.
• The Buddha believed that “desire” was the root cause of all
human suffering and that to end suffering, one must end desire.
• Once he attained “enlightenment,” the Buddha spent the rest of his life spreading his knowledge to others.
The Buddha never claimed to be divine, but after his death some of his disciples elevated him to that status
(Mahayana).
Even though Buddhism spread, by the third century BCE, it looked as though it would remain a small regional religion.
I. Generalizations of Indian Religion
It is complex and indefinable—no creeds 1. Indian religion is given to a
functional definition of religion and emphasizes evolutionary change
2. Hinduism can be considered
more of a league of religions, than a single religion
3. It seems not to want any boundary around it.
It is a highly inclusive religious system.
1. May believe anything or nothing 2. Room for all types of souls
It is a system of rationalism and esoteric wisdom.
1. One must go to the wisdom of the ages, a metaphysical view of history.
2. Ultimately all is question of knowledge.
3. Sin is delusion, maya is sin or delusion.
• Moksha (Sanskrit: ममोक्ष mokṣa), means emancipation, liberation or release. In eschatological sense, it connotes freedom from saṃsāra, the cycle of death and rebirth. In epistemological and psychological sense, moksha connotes freedom, self-realization and self-knowledge.
• In Hindu traditions, Moksha is a central concept and included as one of the four aspects and goals of human life; the other three goals are Dharma (virtuous, proper, moral life), Artha (material prosperity,
income security, means of life), and Kama (pleasure, sensuality, emotional fulfillment). Together, these four aims of life are called Puruṣārtha in Hinduism.[7]
Puruṣārtha ( पपुरुषषारर:)
• Dharma: "law, religious duty"
• Artha: "prosperity"
• Kāma: "pleasure"
• Mokṣa: "(spiritual) liberation"
How do Hindus achieve Moksha?
• There are four different paths to achieve Moksha which a Hindu can take.
The Hindu can choose one or all four of the paths they are:
1.The path of knowledge - Jnana-Yoga (Marga)
Spiritual knowledge -leading to the knowledge of the relationship between the soul (atman) and God (Brahman)
2.The path of meditation - Dhyana-yoga
The idea is to concentrate so you can reach the real self within you and become one with Brahman
• 3.The Path of Devotion - Bhakti-yoga
Choosing a particular god or goddess and worshipping them throughout your life in actions, words and deeds.
4.The path of good works - Karma-yoga
This involves doing all your duties correctly throughout your life.
• Moksha is also a concept that means liberation from rebirth or saṃsāra. This liberation can be attained while one is on earth (jivanmukt), or eschatologically (karmamukt, videhamukt)
• Some Indian traditions have emphasized liberation on concrete, ethical action within the world. This liberation is an epistemological transformation that permits one to see the truth and reality behind the fog of ignorance
• «Those whose conduct during the previous life has been good presently obtain good birth, such as the birth of a Brahmin, a Kshatriya, or a Vaisya; those whose conduct has been bad presently obtain some evil birth such as that of a dog or a pig.»
Chandogya Upanishad V. 107
