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Asia
Cultural Geography
Religion

Some religions that are found in Asia are:
A. Buddhism
E. Shintoism
B. Hinduism
F. Islam
C. Confucianism
G. Christianity
D. Taoism
Hinduism



Hinduism is an ethnic religion because it appeals
mainly to people in India. Most Hindus in the
world live in India.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the
world. It’s origins can be traced back to 2500 3000 B.C. or earlier.
Hinduism does not have one founder. It is based
on the teachings of holy men and revealed truths
over a long period of time.
Hinduism

A.
B.
C.
Some sacred texts in Hinduism are:
The Vedas
Upanishads
Sutras
Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Some basic beliefs of Hindus are:
Brahman is the supreme spirit, but it can take
many forms. Hinduism is considered by some to
be polytheistic.
Atman - The soul of a person.
Karma
Reincarnation
Moksha - The ultimate goal of life is the union
of atman and Brahman.
Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The caste system is a system of social
organization in India that is connected with
Hinduism. Basically, when you are born you are
born into a certain ‘level’ of society. The castes
are:
Brahmins - Teachers/Priests
Kshastriyas - Soldiers
Vaishyas - Skilled Workers
Shudras - Manual Workers
Dalits - People outside the caste system
Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)

The caste system led to discrimination in
India and it has been outlawed, but some
people still believe in it and practice it.
Buddhism

Buddhism is related to Hinduism and shares
many of the same basic beliefs. The
relationship between Buddhism and
Hinduism is similar to the relationship
between Christianity and Judaism.
Buddhism
Buddhism was founded by a man named
Siddhartha who was born around 500 - 400
B.C. in Nepal.
 The religion quickly spread to other parts of
Asia and was a major religion in India for a
time, however, most people are Hindus in
India today.

Buddhism (Basic Beliefs)

A.
B.
C.
D.
The four noble truths:
Life is suffering
Suffering is caused by want or desire
There is a way to end suffering
The way to end suffering is the eightfold
path
Buddhism (Basic Beliefs)

Buddhists believe in karma and
reincarnation
Buddhism

Buddhism is a major religion in Southeast Asia
and is practiced in China, Korea, and Japan.
Countries that are predominantly Buddhist are:
A. Thailand
B. Laos
C. Cambodia
D. Myanmar
Spread of Buddhism into Southeast Asia
Dharma Wheel
Taosim
Taosim is a religion or philosophy that
began in China around 500 - 400 B.C.
 Tradition says that Taoism is based on the
teachings of Laozi.
 The Tao Te Ching is a collection of Laozi’s
teachings.

Taoism
The Tao is called the Great Mother
Empty yet inexhaustible,
It gives birth to infinite worlds.
It is always present within you.
You can use it any way you want.
Yin Yang Symbol
Confuciansim
Confucianism is a philosophy that began in
China around 500 - 400 B.C.
 It is based on the teachings of Confucius.
 Confucianism is concerned mainly with
social organization. It emphasizes respect
for elders and education.

Shintoism
Shintoism is a native religion of Japan.
 Shintos worship kami (spirits). Sometimes
kami live in specific places such as rivers,
mountains, and lakes, and sometimes they
are major natural objects such as the sun or
moon.

Small Shinto Shrine
Torii
Tanuki - A Japanese Racoon Spirit
Tanuki Road Sign
Islam

Islam started in Saudi Arabia around 600
A.D. and it spread into parts of South,
Southeast, and East Asia. Countries that are
predominantly Muslim are:
A. Pakistan
B. Bangladesh
C.
Indonesia
Christianity
Christianity was brought to Asia by
Europeans who colonized parts of Asia and
controlled some countries.
 The Philippines is predominantly Roman
Catholic.
 There are many Catholics in Vietnam and
East Timor.

Respect for Ancestors

Many Asian cultures venerate and even
worship ancestors. This belief has been
incorporated into Asian religions and belief
systems.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nDRdclRhmts
Conflicts


India and Pakistan both claim a region called the
Kashmir. Part of the problem is based on religion.
Pakistan is a Muslim country and India is Hindu.
East Timor is a small country in Southeast Asia
that was created in 2002. It used to be part of
Indonesia but most people in East Timor are
Catholic. The source of this conflict is based on
cultural differences.