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)

Was actually a prince 530 BC

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

Started in India, Today mainly in Japan, China, Cambodia,

and Thailand.

BUDDHISM

The 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. Plants, rocks, trees and animals.

Kami are 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. Another well known example of Shinto

rituals involves the making of Samurai swords & sumo wrestling

Location Primarily in Japan

SHINTO

Sumo 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. Technically monotheistic, but many

incarnations (gods & goddesses) Believe in reincarnation, karma, & nirvana Caste system

What you do in previous lives determines your caste

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

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

HINDUISM

Shiva Ohm symbol

HINDUISM

Chutes & Ladders Snakes & Ladders

ISLAM

Founder & Date Muhammad 622 AD

Major Beliefs Monotheistic 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 In Southern and Eastern Asia mostly in

India, Pakistan and Indonesia.

ISLAM

Banda 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

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.

CONFUCIANISM

Confucius Symbol