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Religions of Asia

Religions of Asia. Buddhism. Began in India Started by Siddhartha Gautama - rich young man 500 B.C. Born rich tried to deal with poverty and suffering. Buddhism. Troubled by “why people suffer” Wandered as a monk Stopped wandering Meditated – Concentrate really hard. The Buddha.

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Religions of Asia

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  1. Religions of Asia

  2. Buddhism • Began in India • Started by Siddhartha Gautama - rich young man • 500 B.C. • Born rich tried to deal with poverty and suffering

  3. Buddhism • Troubled by “why people suffer” • Wandered as a monk • Stopped wandering • Meditated – Concentrate really hard

  4. The Buddha • Discovered that to be happy one must reject greed and desire • He accepted Hinduism and Reincarnation • Rejected the Caste System and need for priests • The people called him “Buddha” or “Enlightened One”

  5. Four Noble Truths • Sutras-holy writings for Buddhism • 1. There will always be pain • 2. Suffering is caused by greed and desire • 3. By giving up greed and desire will end suffering • 4. To achieve Nirvana a pure state one must follow the “The Middle Way.”

  6. The Middle Way • The Eightfold Path – (eight rules of conduct) • Try to recognize the truth • Try to avoid evil actions and bad people • Do not say things that hurt others • Respect other people and their belongings • Choose a job that does no harm to others • Do not think evil thoughts • Avoid excitement or anger • Work at meditation, thinking carefully about what matters.

  7. What Buddha believed? • Believed in unselfishness • Did not believe in Gods or see the need for priests • Felt a man could change evil to good if he followed the Middle Way • Eventually one would achieve perfect peace

  8. Buddhism today • 6% of the world is Buddhist • 4th largest religion • Practiced in Southern and Eastern Asia • Practiced around the world

  9. Hinduism • One of the oldest religions in the world • Developed in India • Taken from the Aryans • Aryans group that invaded India 1500B.C.

  10. Books of Hinduism • Hymns and rituals known as the Vedas, of the Book of Knowledge • Vedas Holy Book • 4 Books • Vedas – hymns, prayers and spells • Rig Veda – oldest book • Brahmans – for priests • Upanishads

  11. Hinduism • Polytheism – many gods • All gods are part of Brahman • Brahman – Supreme God • Believe all living things have souls • Cows are sacred • Many are vegetarians

  12. Reincarnation • Reincarnation – The belief that souls don’t die but are reborn • They can come back as people or animals • Good is rewarded with better life • Evil is rewarded with worse life

  13. Souls are reincarnated again and again until they are united with Brahman • Karma – Your actions follow you in life

  14. The Caste System • Social class is hereditary (inherited) • Social class does not change • Improved in next life

  15. The Caste System • Social groups ranked highest to lowest. • 1. Priests • 2. Warriors/Rulers • 3. Skilled workers, Merchants, Officials • 4. Unskilled labor/ servants

  16. Untouchables • Below all the caste • Do the jobs most won’t do • They are outcastes (outside of castes) • Poor and unfortunate • Can’t interact outside their caste

  17. No charity for Untouchables • Don’t help them • They are to remain that way because they are punished for their past life • No charity for them

  18. Shinto • Japan’s Earliest religion • Means, “Way of the Gods” • Worship Kami – divine spirits • Spirits live in beautiful places • Live in some mountains and streams • Stress virtue of cleanliness

  19. Practices • Pray and perform rituals to Kami and other spirits • Does not stress life after death • Most Japanese have alter to spirits for help and protection

  20. Shinto - Religion • Worship nature • Once the official religion of Japan • not many followers

  21. Confucianism • Confucianism is not a religion it is a philosophy • Confucius was born around 550 BC • Important scholar in Chinese history • Believed the key to peace was good behavior

  22. Confucianism • Believed in the Golden Rule • “What you do not like when done unto yourself, do not unto others.”

  23. Confucianism belief • 5 relationships or interactions between people • 1. ruler and subject • 2. Father and son • 3. Husband and wife • 4. Older brother and younger brother • 5. friend and friend • If all relationships were based on kindness the world is at peace

  24. Confucianism and the Empire of China • 121 BC Wudi, Han emperor made it official philosophy of China • Emperor hired Confucians • Lasted for 2000 years until 1949 when Communists took over China

  25. Confucianism and Modern China • Many still believe the philosophy • Chinese believe in treating others fairly

  26. Summary • Explain the basic practices and beliefs of each of the following religions and philosophy. • Buddhism • Hinduism • Shintoism • Confucianism

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