This explains the major religions, and their beliefs in Ancient India. It also explains about a ceremony that some Indian people do.

Essay by Ltjgirl72Junior High, 9th gradeA, December 2003

download word file, 2 pages 2.4

Downloaded 44 times

India thought highly on religion. It was a very big part of their culture. There were about two main popular religions. They were Buddhism and Hinduism. There were other religions but I am just going to explain those two.

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion. It was founded in Northern India by the Buddha, Siddhartha, Gaurama. Buddha was born in Lumbini at about 563 BCE. When he was about 20 years old, he went on a journey to seek the truth, leaving his wife and children behind. In 535 BCE, he assumed the title Buddha. He was also referred to as Sakyamuni. He died in his early 80's in 483 BCE. Two centuries later, a counsel of Buddhist monks collected all of his teachings, writings and oral traditions in to a written form called, Tripitaka. In India, a lot of people believed strongly in Buddhism.

Hinduism is refereed to as Sanatana Dharma, the eternal faith.

Hinduism is not strictly a religion, it is the practice of Dharma, the code of life. Hinduism has no founder therefore, any one who practices Dharma can be called a Hindu. Religion means to bind. Dharma means to hold. Hinduism allows a person to believe in one or many different gods. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the three most important gods but there are over 33,000 lesser gods who were worshiped to. Hindus believed that when a body dies, their soul goes into an animal, person or any living thing. This is called reincarnation. The Hindus call reincarnation, Samsara. Hindus believe strongly in karma. Karma determines how a soul will be reborn in his or her next life. If a person is good in his/her life, they will be reborn into a higher or better form. If a person is bad they will...