Objectives
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Chapter 9: Hinduism and Buddhism: 300 B.C.E. - 1200 C.E. Objectives |
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This is the first of three chapters dealing with the major world religions. The author begins by distinguishing between what historians can and cannot say about religion. Professor Spodek identifies the categories historians can deal with: the sanctification of time, of space, of language and literature, of artistic and cultural activity, as well as the creation of religious organizations. Please note that the study of unfamiliar religions introduces a bewildering array of terms and concepts which should be mastered in order to fully understand the religion involved.
Hinduism grew out of the encounter between early Indus valley residents and the migrating Aryans. It claims no founding leader, has no original scripture or mandate to follow, and generally did not seek converts outside of its home area of India. There are a number of important writings which convey the central beliefs which need to be mastered by believers. The core of Hindu beliefs include caste, dharma, karma, life stages, samsara, and moksha. Although Hindu religion was strongly challenged by Buddhism, in part because of the decision of Asoka Maurya, Hinduism prevailed in India even as its few offshoots outside of the subcontinent withered.
Buddhism is more typical of a world religion with its clearly defined founder and a set to ideas tied in theory to the admonitions of the leader himself. Beginning within Hindu culture, Buddhism developed its own focus, sought converts, successfully spread across much of Asia, and accommodated itself to conditions in the different regions it entered. Its core belief, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, came to the Buddha after forty-nine days of fasting and meditation. Over time, numerous groups developed varied understanding of how to act on this statement.
In the long run you will need to be able to compare these religions in terms of belief, attractiveness to people, and reasons for their success or failure to hold followers within the religion.
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