Download - Religions of Asia
RELIGIONS OF ASIA SSWG5d. Describe the various ethnic and religious groups in the region and the effect of geography on their development and their major customs and traditions.
BUDDHISM Founder & Date
Siddhartha Guatama (The Buddha) 530 BC
History Prince raised in luxury but gave up everything
Major Beliefs Four Noble Truths
Suffering is a part of life. Suffering is caused by selfish desires for things you
don’t have. To end suffering, you must learn to let go of selfish
desires and achieve enlightenment. To be freed of selfish desires, you must live a life of
moderation and discipline called the Eightfold Path.
BUDDHISM Major Beliefs
Karma—what you do comes back to you Reincarnation—your soul is recycled Nirvana—ultimate enlightenment (final
reincarnation) Location
Although Buddhism started in India, today it is practiced mainly in Japan, China, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Misc. Buddha was actually a Hindu originally
BUDDHISMThe Buddha 8 Fold Path
SHINTO Founder & Date
No real founder and date Some consider the oldest religion in the world
Major Beliefs According to Shinto belief, all objects in nature
contain sacred spirits called kami. This includes plants, rocks, trees and animals. Kami are often worshipped at family or
community shrines, where the spirits of deceased relatives live.
Many different festivals
SHINTO Major Beliefs
Shinto rituals emphasize purity and worship of nature. Holy water and salt are used to cleanse and purify
things. Bells, drums or gongs are used to attract good kami or
scare away bad kami. Another well known example of Shinto rituals involves
the making of Samurai swords Location
Primarily in Japan Misc.
According to tradition, the emperor of Japan is a descendant of the sun goddess and therefore a god himself
SHINTOSumo Wrestling Samurai Swords
HINDUISM Founder & Date
No real founder and date Goes back 4000 years
Major Beliefs Many of these beliefs are found in a series of
books called the Vedas. Believe in reincarnation, karma, & nirvana Caste system
What you do in previous lives determines your caste
HINDUISM Major Beliefs
The Hindu religion includes multiple gods. The most important of these are Brahma, the creator Vishnu the preserver Shiva the destroyer.
Location Primarily in India
CASTE SYSTEM The Caste system is
very rigid, you cannot move up in social class
The Indian Constitution has outlawed caste based discrimination
The Caste System is declining in urban areas as education improves
The Caste System is still prominent in many rural areas
1. Brahmins-Priests2. Kshatriya-nobles3. Vaisya-traders,
artisans, farmers, herders
4. Sudra-laborers
Untouchables
HINDUISMShiva Ohm symbol
HINDUISMChutes & Ladders Snakes & Ladders
ISLAM Founder & Date
Muhammad 622 AD
Major Beliefs Monotheistic
Allah Muslim beliefs and practices are spelled out in
their holy book, the Qur’an Two major divisions
Sunni Shia
ISLAM Major Beliefs
5 Pillars Declaration of Faith Prayer Charity Fasting Pilgrimage
Location The largest Muslim populations in Southern and
Eastern Asia are found in India, Pakistan and Indonesia.
ISLAMBanda Aceh Islam Map
CONFUCIANISM (PHILOSOPHY NOT RELIGION) Founder & Date
The Chinese philosopher Kong Fu Zi Lived from 551 to 479BC.
History When Confucius lived, it was a bad time in China
with war Major Beliefs
He spelled this out in a code of behavior called Li, which requires respect, honesty, hard work, politeness, and generosity.
Every person should know their place in society, follow the rules, and be respectful, especially of their parents.
CONFUCIANISM Major Beliefs
An orderly society was built on Five Key Relationships: ruler and subject parent and child husband and wife Older sibling and younger sibling Friend and friend
Location Confucian philosophy is influential in China and
Japan.
CONFUCIANISMConfucius Symbol
DAOISM/TAOISMCHINA Founder and Date
No real founder First recognized in 4th century BC
History Before the Communist revolution, Taoism was the
strongest religion in China After the government began destroying any non-
communist religions its numbers have significantly reduced Major Beliefs
The Tao, “the Way”, is the ultimate creative principle of the universe
Promotes, harmony, being virtuous, and self development
Taoists practices, meditation, feng shui, fortune telling Location
China
MISC: SIKHISM & JAINISM Sikhism
Founded by Guru Nanak Monotheistic Salvation through disciplined, personal meditation
on the name and message of God. Equality a big deal
Jainism 4.2 million followers believe in extreme nonviolence everything has a soul Strict vegetarians Do not believe in gods or spiritual beings, more a
religion of self-help