Study Guide for Test

Religions of Southern and Eastern Asia

GPS

• GPS: SS7G12b. Compare and contrast the prominent religions in Southern and Eastern Asia: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism and the philosophy of Confucianism.

1. Which of these religions is considered one of the oldest in the world? Hinduism

2. What is the name of the Hindu sacred text? Vedas

3. What is the Hindu belief in reincarnation? The belief that a soul returns to life in another body after death

4. What is the Hindu belief in Karma? That one’s actions determine one’s fate

5. How long do Hindus believe a soul will be reincarnated? It will be reincarnated until the soul lives a life good enough to be united with Brahman.

6. What is the caste system? The belief that social class is hereditary (inherited)

7. Where was the religion of Buddhism founded? India

8. Who was the founder of Buddhism? Siddharta Gautama

9. What does “Buddha” mean? Enlightened One

10. What do Buddhists believe people need to do to be happy and find peace? They are to give up greed and greedy desires.

11. What Buddhist teaching shows its followers

the correct way to live their lives? The Middle Way

12. How did the first Muslims come to Southern and Eastern Asia? Muslim invaders entered India in the 1500s AD.

13. What are the Five Pillars? Basic beliefs of Islam

14. What is the name of the Muslim holy book? Quran

15. Islam is considered a monotheistic religion because its followers believe in … only one god

16. In which country was Shintoism founded? Japan

17. What are the kami that are so important in Shinto belief? They are spirits that followers of Shinto believe exist in all things around them.

18. How do believers of Shinto practice their religion? They pray at small altars in their homes.

19. In which country was Confucianism founded? China

20. What did Confucius believe were the keys to social order and peace? Good character and virtue in the people

21. Which is Confucius’ Golden Rule? “What you do not like when done to you, do not to others.”

22. How did Confucianism come to play an important role in Chinese society? A Chinese emperor hired Confucian scholars in 121 BC to help organize his government.

23. Why is Confucianism considered a philosophy instead of a religion? His teachings are more about ethics and behavior than about religious ideas.