Ap World Religions Dbq Analysis

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Throughout history, there have been numerous religions practiced all over the world. Each religion influences the culture and beliefs of its followers differently. While some religions have significant differences from each other, they also share similarities. The followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism all strive to reach a goal or some version of paradise. Having this end goal in mind impacts the lives of followers differently.
Hinduism is the oldest religion founded in India in 1500 BCE. Hindus believe in one soul force known as Brahman. The followers of this religion follow the Caste system. The four major castes emerged from who was believed to be the first human being, Purusha. The priestly class represented the mouth and were known as the Brahmins. The Kshatriyas were the ruler and warriors within society and represented Purusha’s arms. The legs were unskilled workers, such as peasants and traders and were known as the sudras. The untouchables of the Hindu religion were the lowest class and are not even represented on Purusha (Doc 7). Hindus believed that their good and bad deeds throughout one lifetime would move them closer or further from Moksha, freedom from life and death. With the idea of moksha being …show more content…

Buddhists believe that life is pain, and pain is caused by desire. They believed that ridding themselves of all desire would also end any pain they felt. These beliefs are known as the Four Noble Truths. The last step to end pain is to follow the Eightfold Path. If an individual has right views, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right recollection, right effort, and right meditation all pain would cease (Doc 6). Without the interference of pain, Buddhists strive to reach a state of higher truth, peace, and enlightenment known of nirvana. Reaching nirvana also real eases the soul from its constant cycle of

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