Religions of South and East Asia

Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Islam, Confucianism

One of the oldest religions of the world, origins date back about 5,000 years.

Aryans (nomadic tribe from the North) invaded what is now India around 1700 B.C. bringing with them the “Vedas” a collection of rituals and hymns or The Book of Knowledge.

Blending of the native people of modern India known as Dravidians and Aryans led to the development of a new religion Hinduism.

Hinduism

Polytheistic – belief in many gods, but Hindu’s believe all these gods are a part of a supreme spirit named Brahman.

Hindu’s believe all living things have souls –animals and people. Some animals like the cow are sacred, so many Hindu’s are vegetarians (they do not eat meat)

Hinduism

Belief that the soul does not die with the body but enters another body of another being, either a person or an animal.

Cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Karma - belief that one’s action or deeds

determines ones next life.

Hinduism - Reincarnation

Caste System – belief that social class is hereditary and is based on Karma from your previous life cycle.

The caste you are born into is the one you remain in for your entire life.

Your caste determines your job, marriage partner, and friends.

The only way to move to a higher caste is to move in your next life.

Hinduism – Caste System

Four main caste: Brahmans – priest and wise men Kshtriyas (KSHAHT-rih-yuz) - Warriors and

rulers Vaisyas – (VY-syuz) merchants, traders and

small farmers Sudras (SOO-drahs) – peasants, field

workers 5th - Untouchables – who do the work no one

else will – handle the dead, sewage etc.

Hinduism – Caste System

Hindu caste system was primarily based on the Aryan social system that believed all people are NOT equal.

Today the government of India has outlawed the Caste system, but many people still following its ideas.

3rd largest religion in the World, behind Christianity and Islam

Hinduism

Japan’s earliest religion, Shinto means “the way of the gods”

Shintoism centers on the reverence for the Kami, divine spirits that Shinto followers believe live in nature. The word “kami” means superior.

Shinto

These spirits are believed to live in beautiful places, animals, and a persons ancestors

Many Japanese believe some of the mountains and rivers of Japan are the homes of the Kami and those places are scared.

Shinto - kami

Those who practice Shintoism offer prayers and perform rituals to honor and please the Kami, or spirits they feel are special.

This religion does not stress life after death and has no written philosophy.

Shintoism

ShintoismMost Japanese households have an altar where the family will offer prayers to the spirits for protection and blessings

Worship of nature has led to the creation of small beautiful gardens for quiet and reflection.

Shintoism was once the state religion of Japan but now the dominate religion is Buddhism.

Shintoism is still practiced among the Japanese along with Buddhism today.

Shintoism

People usually visit a shrine either a home, a local or a national shrine to mark special events or celebrate holidays.

They write prayers on cards and tie them to a tree at the shrine for the kami to grant their wishes

Shintoism

Been to a place in nature that has given you a special feeling (mountain top, water fall)? Describe that feeling

Found a rock, leaf, a seashell or other natural object you wanted to keep? Describe that object

Seen or been close to an animal that seemed to be trying to say something? Describe

Answer these questions as a TOTD on your own paper.

Have you ever……….