Major Religions In Asia 4w5y6u

MAJOR RELIGIONS IN ASIA

Major Religions in Asia RELIGION  Belief in and worship of a superhuman or divine controlling power 1. Hinduism 2. Zoroastrianism 3. Buddhism 4. Judaism 5. Confucianism6. Christianity 7. Taoism 8. Islam 9. Shinto 10. Jainism 11. Sikhism

HINDUISM  Major religion in the Indian subcontinent Vedas -sacred book of Hinduism transcribed into collection of poems, hymns, and religious writings 1. 2. 3. 4.

Rig Veda - oldest Yajur Veda Sama Veda Atharva Veda

5. Upanishads

- Commentaries on the ideas of Vedas

HINDUISM HINDUISM  Major religion in the Indian subcontinent Upanishads - Concept of self-denial or asceticism and mysticism or the belief in the communication with the divine through intuition or insight is one of the most enduring points (Vedic Age)

HINDUISM Three Major Gods in Hinduism: 1. Brahma (creator) 2. Vishnu (protector) 3. Shiva (destroyer) Minor Gods: 4. Ganesh (elephant-headed son of Shiva) 5. Hanuman (monkey god often associated with loyalty and strength)

HINDUISM Some teachings of Hinduism: 1. Dharma – selfless execution of one’s duty as a member of the caste system; source of all moral laws in the Hindu community 2. Karma – relates to the effect of one’s actions in the present to the kind of life he or she will have reincarnated Reincarnation – rebirth of an individual in pursuit of atman or the universal soul

HINDUISM Artha – signifies the need to increase of one’s wealth by mastering his or her craft Moksha – “freedom from rebirth” – one can fully attain freedom only if he or she is released from the karma

HINDUISM Hindus belong to a structured social hierarchy. 1. Bhramins – comprise the highest of the four castes of traditional Indian society; sages, Vedas teachers 2. Kshatriyas – warriors 3. Vaisyas – merchants, farmers and working class 4. Sudras – unskilled workers and peasants Pariah or untouchables – not member of the caste society

HINDUISM 2 Most Enduring Works: 1. Mahabharata – longest poem in the world with 90 000 stanzas that describes the actions of gods and mortals 2. Ramayana – adventures of Rama, main male character, and the virtues that men and women should have as of the Hindu society

BUDDHISM Spiritual tradition that practices the teachings of Siddhartu Gautama Siddhartu Gautama  Commonly known as Buddha or “The Enlightened One” The goal of Buddhism is to let every person reach Nirvana, or the state of freedom from suffering caused by worldly desires

BUDDHISM Four noble truths in Nirvana: 1. All life is suffering. 2. The cause of suffering is desire. 3. The only way to escape suffering is to end desire. 4. The way to end desire is to follow the noble eightfold path which includes right belief, thoughts, conduct, speech, living, ambition, pleasures and effort

BUDDHISM Two major branches of Buddhism: 1. Theravada – “The School of Elders”  Oldest practiced branch of Buddhism  Primarily practiced in Sri Lanka and some parts of Southeast Asia 2. Mahayana – “The Great Vehicle”  Practiced in some parts of East Asia 3. Vajrayana – combination of Mahayana and Hinayana

BUDDHISM Subcategory of Buddhism: Vajrayana – combination of Mahayana and Hinayana (“The Poor Vehicle”) Hinayana does not allow the veneration of the badhisattva or an enlightened being

BUDDHISM Culture-specific traditions of Buddhism: 1. Pure Land – belief in the celestial realm of Buddha and practiced in Tibet 2. Zen – belief in the attainment of enlightenment through experiential wisdom and practiced in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan

BUDDHISM Culture-specific traditions of Buddhism: 3. Nicheren Buddhism – belief that there is an inherent Buddha in everyone which allows him or her to achieve enlightenment in the present life and practiced in Japan 4. Tibetan Buddhism – belief that adheres to the rule of the Dalai Lama and practiced in Nepal and Bhutan

CONFUCIANISM  Developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius  Its teachings focus on morality in both personal and public spheres and on the rules on social relationships  Focuses more on morality more than supernatural encounter  Cosmic power or T’ien or heaven is the source of all good works  Disasters and natural calamities are consequences of the unjust behavior of a ruler

CONFUCIANISM  Family serves as the foundation of a stable society  Loyalty in family through ancestor worship, respect for elders, and submission of wives to their husbands “DO NOT DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT OTHERS DO UNTO YOU.”

TAOISM/DAOISM  Belief system emerged in China “tao” or “dao”  Refers to the proper way of life one should adhere to  Promotes comion, moderation, and humility Lao Tzu - Founder of Taoism and emphasized the need for humans to attain a balanced spirit and communion with the universe

TAOISM/DAOISM Important Parts of Taoism: 1. Nature 2. Destiny 3. Harmony Tao Te Ching (True Classic of the Way and the Power) - Document where the teachings of Taoism are based

TAOISM/DAOISM Most famous beliefs/practices: 1. Wu-wei – belief in the importance of yielding to one’s nature 2. Yin-yang – belief that highlights the existence of two complimentary elements in the universe 3. Feng shui – belief that elements, colors, energy, and senses must be bound together to achieve harmony

SHINTO  Japan’s indigenous religion grounded on Animism “shinto” – way of gods Kami  Spirits which are key of the religion  Resides in nature Misogi - Ritual act of cleansing

SHINTO  Highlights ancestor worship by praising deceased relatives who are believed to have been transformed into gods who act as protector to the family Shintai  Place where gods inhabit Example: Mount Fuji Amaterasu - Most powerful shintai and sun goddess

SHINTO Amaterasu  Most powerful shintai and sun goddess who sent his grandson, Prince Ninigi, to rule Japan  Relative of the god Izanagi (god of light) and the goddess Izanami (goddess of darkness)

ZOROASTRIANISM  Religion that emanated from Persia (Iran); teaches about the constant battle of good and evil Magi  Special group of priests responsible for officiating at ceremonies to communicate with divine beings Zoroaster - Also known as Zarathustra

ZOROASTRIANISM Zoroaster  Also known as Zarathustra  Emphasized the importance of righteous conduct over magic  Believed that there were two opposing forces in the world: Ahriman (god of darkness) and Ahura Mazda (supreme god, creator of all, symbolized by fire)

JUDAISM  Religion of Jews and Hebrews  Promoted monotheism, the belief in one god known as Yahweh Yahweh  Believed to guide the people during the time of Moses  Gave the Jews the Ten Commandments, a set of rules which they should live

JUDAISM Torah  Judaism’s most important text containing teachings of Yahweh  composed of the first five books of the Old Testament which is popularly known to the Jews as the “First Five Books of Moses” (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)

JUDAISM

Abraham  Patriarch of the Jews who commanded Yahweh to leave the city of Ur for the land of Canaan where he was destined to become the “Father of the Entire Nation” Sarah  Wife of Abraham Isaac - Son of Abraham and Sarah and the father of Jacob who is said to be the father of the 12 tribes of Israel

JUDAISM Judah  One of the 12 tribes where the word Jew came from Judaism is practiced in many parts of the world not as a major religion but as a belief system of a migrant minority.

CHRISTIANITY  Centers on Jesus Christ and his teachings  Rooted in Judaism because of the Old Testament Jesus of Nazareth  Messiah promised by God in the prophecies of the Old Testament Early church fathers, Christian martyrs, and the Roman emperor Constantine were instrumental in the spread of Christianity in ancient times.

ISLAM - Founded by the prophet Muhammad in Mecca, Saudi Arabia Islam  Literally means “submission of God” or “surrender to Allah” Muslims  Followers of this faith Mosque - Dome-type roof house of worship

ISLAM Quran  Islam’s holy text The angel Jibril appeared to Muhammad, Allah’s messager, in one of his meditations and told him that he would be the prophet of Allah, the almighty God. Hegira - Journey from Mecca to Medina

ISLAM Islam has Five Pillars: 1. Shahadah – the profession of faith by invoking the following creed: “There is no other God except Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.” 2. Salat – The practice of praying 5 times a day (facing Mecca, Islam’s holiest place)

ISLAM

Islam has Five Pillars: 3. Zakat – the duty of giving alms and sharing part of one’s income and property with the poor 4. Sawn – adherence to fasting observed during Islamic month of Ramadan 5. Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca to visit the Kaaba, most sacred shrine in Mecca, once in a Muslim’s life

ISLAM

2 Major Sects: 1. Sunni – led by Abu Bakr, father-inlaw of Muhammad, who served as the first caliph belonged to the Sunni sect; Quran should not be interpreted but taken literally 2. Shi’ite – led by Ali, son-in-law of Muhammad, who led the sect during his stint as caliph; interpreting of Quran based on oral traditions

JAINISM

 Sprouted from India from 9th to 6th century  Similar to Buddhism, it emphasizes the need of the individual to propel oneself towards liberation and divine consciousness by defeating his or her own issues and conflicts Jina or conqueror - A person who achieves such feat

JAINISM

Ahimsa  Key belief of Jainism that promotes nonviolence 2 kind of Souls 1. Bound souls – those bonded to nonliving matters 2. Liberated souls – those that have released themselves from the lure of material things

SIKHISM

- Founded by Guru Nanak Dev in India  Monotheistic religion that upholds reincarnation and karma Saint-soldier  Key belief of Sikhism which highlights one’s capacity to conquer his or her internal vices and to defend the rights of the oppressed Guru Granth Sahib - Sacred book of the teachings of Sikhism