Name___________________________________________________Per______

Hinduism: Buddhism Similarities

Name_______KEY ____________________________________________Per______

N

Hinduism: Buddhism Similarities

• Both recognize the chief cause of suffering is desire/ pursuit of material things •Emphasis on passion and nonviolence • Karma and reincarnation •Gods, Meditation •Both began in India •Both factions •Adaptable

•No founder• Importance of religious texts- The Vedas• Goal= moksha union •Belief in Supreme Creator and atman- soul part of that creator • An individual religion• Worship 1000s of Gods and Godesses •Strict social system- caste system dictates life

•Founder: Buddha •Hindu convert •Goal = Nirvana / ending suffering • 4 Noble Truths and 8 Fold Path •Denies existence of Gods•Priests unnecessary •Monastic orders•No holy text- just 3 Baskets as teachings

Other Religious Traditions • Jainism- grew out of efforts to reform

Hinduism • Mahavira- founder (lived around same time as

Buddha) – Reject power of Brahmin – Include Hindu ideas of Reincarnation – Emphasis on Ahimsa (nonviolence)

• Avoid harming any living creature (sometimes sweep the ground before walking)

• Strict Vegetarians • Sikhism- 1500s combines traditions of

Hinduism & Islam

Writing A Comparative Essay: • Decide what side you are taking/ what the prompt asks

you to do (Assess, discuss, compare and contrast, etc.)• After general intro, begin with a thesis statement -

General to specific • Come up with a topic sentence for you paragraph• Paragraphs: Follow with supporting analytical details • Conclusion: Opposite Specific to general/ sums up ideas • Our case: Discuss the similarities and differences of

your faith with regard to origins, religious texts, doctrine, beliefs, karma, Gods, priests, social structure, appeal and adaptability.

The Intro& Thesis Statement

• Begin with Something General to Specific • Should look like an upside-down triangle

General

Specific Although… Nevertheless…

Example: Comparing Hinduism & Buddhism

• The origins of major world religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism came about as noble/ eternal truths were revealed. These faiths gained followers as they held a promising goal of some type of spiritual salvation. The origins and aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism are strikingly similar, however clear and obvious differences exist. Although Hinduism and Buddhism share similarities with regard to origins, morality, and the idea of karma, they nevertheless are different with regard to foundations, time period, goals and achieving the ultimate goal and the social structure associated with each faith.

• YOUR TURN!

The Topic Sentence

• Should be concise; sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph

• General theme of the paragraph • Ex. Hinduism and Buddhism though

similar in origin, have doctrinal differences such as the entire goal of the faith.

Body Paragraphs • Should support/ reflect the idea of the

topic sentence in a more in- depth way• Should be organized, clear and analytical• Have many supporting details• Not simply listing or mere attribution • I-C-E it • Introduce Cite Explain

Your Prompt:

• Task: Hinduism and Buddhism share many similarities and differences with regard to their origins, beliefs, and goals. These two major world religions have coexisted throughout centuries despite the differences. Compare and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism.