Religions Religions of of

South/East AsiaSouth/East Asia

HinduismHinduism IslamIslam BuddhismBuddhism ShintoismShintoism ConfucianismConfucianism

HinduismHinduism One of the oldest religions in the worldOne of the oldest religions in the world Founded in India Founded in India Polytheistic Polytheistic Sacred text is called VedasSacred text is called Vedas Believe in Believe in karmakarma- good or bad behavior- good or bad behavior Believe in Believe in reincarnationreincarnation-a cycle of birth and -a cycle of birth and

rebirth, where one’s behavior in the present rebirth, where one’s behavior in the present life determines what one becomes in the next life determines what one becomes in the next lifelife

Live by a caste system that divides people Live by a caste system that divides people into social classes 1. Brahmans (priests) into social classes 1. Brahmans (priests) 2. Kashatriyas (soldiers) 2. Kashatriyas (soldiers) 3.Vaishyas (merchants) 4. Shudras (laborers) 3.Vaishyas (merchants) 4. Shudras (laborers) Untouchables (Pariahs)Untouchables (Pariahs)

IslamIslam Founded in the Middle East by the prophet Founded in the Middle East by the prophet

MuhammadMuhammad Monotheistic and follow the teachings of the Monotheistic and follow the teachings of the

QuranQuran Two main divisions: Sunni and Shia Two main divisions: Sunni and Shia Follow the Five Pillars of Islam:Follow the Five Pillars of Islam:1.1. Only one God, Muhammad is his prophetOnly one God, Muhammad is his prophet2.2. Pray 5 times a day in the direction of MeccaPray 5 times a day in the direction of Mecca3.3. Charity to the poor/needyCharity to the poor/needy4.4. Fast during the holy month of RamadanFast during the holy month of Ramadan5.5. Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s

lifetimelifetime

BuddhismBuddhism Founded in India by a man named Founded in India by a man named

Siddhartha Gautama also called the Siddhartha Gautama also called the “Buddha” or “Enlightened One”“Buddha” or “Enlightened One”

Practiced primarily in Western part of China Practiced primarily in Western part of China and Mongolia and Mongolia

Follow the Four noble truths: Follow the Four noble truths: 1)life is full of suffering1)life is full of suffering2)suffering is caused by attachments2)suffering is caused by attachments3)rid yourself of attachments to end suffering 3)rid yourself of attachments to end suffering

(reach Nirvana-a state of perfect peace)(reach Nirvana-a state of perfect peace)4)loose attachments by following eightfold 4)loose attachments by following eightfold

path (middle way)path (middle way)

Buddhism cont’d Buddhism cont’d

Holy book is the TripitakaHoly book is the Tripitaka Worship Buddha rather than a godWorship Buddha rather than a god Ultimate goal is to reach Ultimate goal is to reach NirvanaNirvana or a or a

state of happiness and peacestate of happiness and peace Meditate to reach NirvanaMeditate to reach Nirvana Believe in reincarnationBelieve in reincarnation

ShintoismShintoism Japanese meaning: “the way of the gods”Japanese meaning: “the way of the gods” Teaches that supernatural beings, called Teaches that supernatural beings, called

kami, live in all objects and forces of kami, live in all objects and forces of nature.nature.

founded in Japanfounded in Japan Many Shinto build shrines and worship Many Shinto build shrines and worship

their ancestors who they believe became their ancestors who they believe became kamikami

ConfucianismConfucianism Developed by Confucius Developed by Confucius Founded in ChinaFounded in China Based the belief that the keys to social order Based the belief that the keys to social order

and peace are good character and virtue in and peace are good character and virtue in peoplepeople

Golden Rule of Behavior: “What you do not like Golden Rule of Behavior: “What you do not like when done unto yourself, do not unto others”when done unto yourself, do not unto others”

Beliefs based on harmony, stability, hierarchy, Beliefs based on harmony, stability, hierarchy, and authorityand authority

Considered a philosophy instead of a religion Considered a philosophy instead of a religion because his teachings are more about ethics because his teachings are more about ethics and behavior than about religious ideasand behavior than about religious ideas

Practiced primarily in Eastern ChinaPracticed primarily in Eastern China