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Asian Religions Overview: Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Confucianism

Explore the origins, beliefs, and practices of Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, and Confucianism in Asia. Understand the core principles and rituals of these diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions that have influenced millions of lives across the continent. Delve into the teachings of Buddha, the gods of Hinduism, the nature worship in Shinto, and the ethical principles advocated by Confucius.

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Asian Religions Overview: Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Confucianism

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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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