MAJOR RELIGIONS IN ASIA

MAJOR RELIGIONS IN ASIA

Major Religions in AsiaRELIGIONBelief in and worship of a superhuman or divine controlling power1. Hinduism2. Zoroastrianism3. Buddhism4. Judaism5. Confucianism6. Christianity7. Taoism8. Islam9. Shinto10. Jainism11. Sikhism

HINDUISMMajor religion in the Indian subcontinentVedas-sacred book of Hinduism transcribed into collection of poems, hymns, and religious writingsRig Veda - oldestYajur VedaSama VedaAtharva Veda

5. Upanishads- Commentaries on the ideas of Vedas

HINDUISMHINDUISMMajor religion in the Indian subcontinentUpanishads- Concept of self-denial or asceticism and mysticism or the belief in the communication with the divine through intuition or insight is one of the most enduring points (Vedic Age)

HINDUISMThree Major Gods in Hinduism:Brahma (creator)Vishnu (protector)Shiva (destroyer)Minor Gods:Ganesh (elephant-headed son of Shiva)Hanuman (monkey god often associated with loyalty and strength)

HINDUISMSome teachings of Hinduism:Dharma selfless execution of ones duty as a member of the caste system; source of all moral laws in the Hindu communityKarma relates to the effect of ones actions in the present to the kind of life he or she will have reincarnatedReincarnation rebirth of an individual in pursuit of atman or the universal soul

HINDUISM

Artha signifies the need to increase of ones wealth by mastering his or her craft

Moksha freedom from rebirth one can fully attain freedom only if he or she is released from the karma

HINDUISMHindus belong to a structured social hierarchy.Bhramins comprise the highest of the four castes of traditional Indian society; sages, Vedas teachersKshatriyas warriors Vaisyas merchants, farmers and working classSudras unskilled workers and peasantsPariah or untouchables not member of the caste society

HINDUISM2 Most Enduring Works:Mahabharata longest poem in the world with 90 000 stanzas that describes the actions of gods and mortalsRamayana adventures of Rama, main male character, and the virtues that men and women should have as members of the Hindu society

BUDDHISMSpiritual tradition that practices the teachings of Siddhartu GautamaSiddhartu GautamaCommonly known as Buddha or The Enlightened OneThe goal of Buddhism is to let every person reach Nirvana, or the state of freedom from suffering caused by worldly desires

BUDDHISMFour noble truths in Nirvana:All life is suffering.The cause of suffering is desire.The only way to escape suffering is to end desire.The way to end desire is to follow the noble eightfold path which includes right belief, thoughts, conduct, speech, living, ambition, pleasures and effort

BUDDHISMTwo major branches of Buddhism:1. Theravada The School of EldersOldest practiced branch of BuddhismPrimarily practiced in Sri Lanka and some parts of Southeast Asia2. Mahayana The Great VehiclePracticed in some parts of East Asia3. Vajrayana combination of Mahayana and Hinayana

BUDDHISMSubcategory of Buddhism:Vajrayana combination of Mahayana and Hinayana (The Poor Vehicle)Hinayana does not allow the veneration of the badhisattva or an enlightened being

BUDDHISMCulture-specific traditions of Buddhism:1. Pure Land belief in the celestial realm of Buddha and practiced in Tibet2. Zen belief in the attainment of enlightenment through experiential wisdom and practiced in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan

BUDDHISMCulture-specific traditions of Buddhism:3. Nicheren Buddhism belief that there is an inherent Buddha in everyone which allows him or her to achieve enlightenment in the present life and practiced in Japan4. Tibetan Buddhism belief that adheres to the rule of the Dalai Lama and practiced in Nepal and Bhutan

CONFUCIANISMDeveloped from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher ConfuciusIts teachings focus on morality in both personal and public spheres and on the rules on social relationshipsFocuses more on morality more than supernatural encounterCosmic power or Tien or heaven is the source of all good worksDisasters and natural calamities are consequences of the unjust behavior of a ruler

CONFUCIANISMFamily serves as the foundation of a stable societyLoyalty in family through ancestor worship, respect for elders, and submission of wives to their husbandsDO NOT DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT OTHERS DO UNTO YOU.

TAOISM/DAOISMBelief system emerged in Chinatao or daoRefers to the proper way of life one should adhere toPromotes compassion, moderation, and humilityLao Tzu- Founder of Taoism and emphasized the need for humans to attain a balanced spirit and communion with the universe

TAOISM/DAOISMImportant Parts of Taoism:NatureDestinyHarmony

Tao Te Ching (True Classic of the Way and the Power)- Document where the teachings of Taoism are based

TAOISM/DAOISMMost famous beliefs/practices:Wu-wei belief in the importance of yielding to ones natureYin-yang belief that highlights the existence of two complimentary elements in the universeFeng shui belief that elements, colors, energy, and senses must be bound together to achieve harmony

SHINTOJapans indigenous religion grounded on Animismshinto way of godsKamiSpirits which are key of the religionResides in natureMisogi- Ritual act of cleansing

SHINTOHighlights ancestor worship by praising deceased relatives who are believed to have been transformed into gods who act as protector to the familyShintaiPlace where gods inhabitExample: Mount FujiAmaterasu- Most powerful shintai and sun goddess

SHINTOAmaterasuMost powerful shintai and sun goddess who sent his grandson, Prince Ninigi, to rule JapanRelative of the god Izanagi (god of light) and the goddess Izanami (goddess of darkness)

ZOROASTRIANISMReligion that emanated from Persia (Iran); teaches about the constant battle of good and evilMagiSpecial group of priests responsible for officiating at ceremonies to communicate with divine beingsZoroaster- Also known as Zarathustra

ZOROASTRIANISMZoroasterAlso known as ZarathustraEmphasized the importance of righteous conduct over magicBelieved that there were two opposing forces in the world: Ahriman (god of darkness) and Ahura Mazda (supreme god, creator of all, symbolized by fire)

JUDAISMReligion of Jews and HebrewsPromoted monotheism, the belief in one god known as YahwehYahwehBelieved to guide the people during the time of MosesGave the Jews the Ten Commandments, a set of rules which they should live

JUDAISMTorahJudaisms most important text containing teachings of Yahwehcomposed of the first five books of the Old Testament which is popularly known to the Jews as the First Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)

JUDAISMAbrahamPatriarch of the Jews who commanded Yahweh to leave the city of Ur for the land of Canaan where he was destined to become the Father of the Entire NationSarahWife of AbrahamIsaac- Son of Abraham and Sarah and the father of Jacob who is said to be the father of the 12 tribes of Israel

JUDAISMJudahOne of the 12 tribes where the word Jew came from

Judaism is practiced in many parts of the world not as a major religion but as a belief system of a migrant minority.

CHRISTIANITYCenters on Jesus Christ and his teachingsRooted in Judaism because of the Old TestamentJesus of NazarethMessiah promised by God in the prophecies of the Old TestamentEarly church fathers, Christian martyrs, and the Roman emperor Constantine were instrumental in the spread of Christianity in ancient times.

ISLAM- Founded by the prophet Muhammad in Mecca, Saudi ArabiaIslamLiterally means submission of God or surrender to AllahMuslimsFollowers of this faithMosque- Dome-type roof house of worship

ISLAMQuranIslams holy textThe angel Jibril appeared to Muhammad, Allahs messager, in one of his meditations and told him that he would be the prophet of Allah, the almighty God.Hegira- Journey from Mecca to Medina

ISLAMIslam has Five Pillars:1. Shahadah the profession of faith by invoking the following creed: There is no other God except Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.2. Salat The practice of praying 5 times a day (facing Mecca, Islams holiest place)

ISLAMIslam has Five Pillars:3. Zakat the duty of giving alms and sharing part of ones income and property with the poor4. Sawn adherence to fasting observed during Islamic month of Ramadan5. Hajj the pilgrimage to Mecca to visit the Kaaba, most sacred shrine in Mecca, once in a Muslims life

ISLAM2 Major Sects:Sunni led by Abu Bakr, father-in-law of Muhammad, who served as the first caliph belonged to the Sunni sect; Quran should not be interpreted but taken literallyShiite led by Ali, son-in-law of Muhammad, who led the sect during his stint as caliph; interpreting of Quran based on oral traditions

JAINISMSprouted from India from 9th to 6th centurySimilar to Buddhism, it emphasizes the need of the individual to propel oneself towards liberation and divine consciousness by defeating his or her own issues and conflictsJina or conqueror- A person who achieves such feat

JAINISMAhimsaKey belief of Jainism that promotes nonviolence2 kind of SoulsBound souls those bonded to nonliving mattersLiberated souls those that have released themselves from the lure of material things

SIKHISM- Founded by Guru Nanak Dev in IndiaMonotheistic religion that upholds reincarnation and karmaSaint-soldierKey belief of Sikhism which highlights ones capacity to conquer his or her internal vices and to defend the rights of the oppressedGuru Granth Sahib- Sacred book of the teachings of Sikhism