Transcript Chapter 4 - cloudfront.net

Religion & Asia
Review: Ethnic Religions
Ethnic Religions = appeal to specific group or
location
 Lack of diffusion primarily because of lack of
missionaries.
 Examples:
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Ethnic African Religions & Animism
Hinduism
Confucianism
Taoism
Shintoism
Judaism
Ethnic African Religions
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10% Practice Animism: spirits in objects
Animism = Shamanism
•The belief that all objects, animals,
and beings are “animated” or possess
a spirit and a conscious life. Also
called shamanism because of the
prominence of a Shaman (medicine
man).
•Such beliefs are common among
hunter-gatherers, such as Native
Americans.(spirit guides, sun dance, etc.)
Nigerian Shaman
•These beliefs are losing ground to
Christianity and Islam throughout Africa.
Native American
Spirit Dance
Hinduism
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“Oldest” religion (dates back 5,000 years). Ancient history
not recorded, 1500 B.C. has earliest records of religion.
Complex and diverse set of practices and beliefs practiced
around Indus River created by cultural diffusion. Based on
intellectual points of view. The individual decides how to
worship and one is responsible for one’s own actions.
~ 1 billion followers, currently largest ethnic religion and 3rd
largest religion in world. 97% of all Hindus live in India (80%
of Indians practice Hinduism)
It is considered polytheistic because Hindus believe in many
gods, each representing one aspect of the divine spirit,
Brahma.
Caste System
Fixed social classes with rites and
duties.
 Originally 4 basic castes:
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Bhramin-priests and scholars
Kshatriya-rulers and warriors
Vaisya-farmers and merchants
Sudra-artisans and laborers
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Later divided up into other
smaller castes.
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You are born into a caste and have
a moral duty called a dharma that
is specific to your caste. You can
only change castes through
reincarnation.
Hinduism
Vishnu
Lord Shiva
Ganesha
Dancing Shiva/Nataraja
Lord of Dance
Durga
Three main gods: Brahma-mind & body: creator, Shiva-spirit:
transformer/Lord of the Dance/destroyer, and Vishnu-soul:
preserver/protector/loving god/sometimes in human form as Krishna.
Brahma created other deities such as Durga-protective divine mother,
Ganesha-patron of success.
Concepts in Hinduism
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Samsara-repeating cycle of birth,
life, death (reincarnation/wheel of rebirth).
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Karma-what you accumulate
during your life stays with you
until you learn through Dharma
(path/duty/life experiences) to change.
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Yoga and meditation gets you
closer to gods.
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Cows are considered sacred.
Hindus are vegetarian.)
(Many
Places of Worship
Temples (mandir) are designed with symbolism
to bring humans and gods together through
knowledge and truth.
 Shrines-Most worship with shrines kept at
home/office in various sizes, dedicated to a
particular god with picture, fresh flowers and
fruit and incense, a bell rung for prayer, used
to worship individually or collectively.
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More on Hinduism
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No central authority for religion,
pilgrimage is done by tradition
“Tirtha” = purification pilgrimage, shrines
near riverbanks/coastline most important.
Ganges River: holiest, divine water
released from Shiva’s hair, 5th most
polluted river in world.
Festivals
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Holi-a spring festival also known as “festival of
love” or “festival of colors.” Celebrates end of
winter and signifies the victory or good over evil.
Diwali-biggest and brightest festival in India, aka
“festival of lights.” Signifies the victory of light
over darkness.
Questions?
Confucianism
Philosophy/ethical system developed from teachings
of philosopher Kong Fuzi aka Confucius (551-479
B.C.) in China.
 Time of great upheaval, war, famine. Created way
to live so you would have a better way of life.
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Beliefs
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Harmony and happiness come when you know your
place.
5 natural relationships:
– Ruler and ruled, Father and son, Older and younger, Husband
and wife, Friend and friend
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Order, education, and hierarchy:
– Jen-Kindness, goodness
– Hsiao-Filial Piety-reverence for elders, past and ancestors.
– Li-Etiquette, behavior, and respect for Jen. Practice ethics
and correct behavior.
– Yi-righteousness
– Chih-Moral wisdom, importance of education.
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Official Confucianism ended in 1905 in China, but Asian
cultures (China, Korea, Japan, & Vietnam) are still
strongly influenced by it.
Taoism (or Daoism)
Name comes from book
by another Chinese
philosopher, Lao Tzu.
 Ethical tradition that
emphasizes living in
harmony with nature
and with dao = way or
path. Used myths to
explain events, magic.
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One of 5 religions officially
recognized by China.
Beliefs
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Three Treasures: compassion, moderation,
and humility.
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Can be intertwined with Chinese alchemy,
astrology, martial arts, medicine, feng shui
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Yin/Yang-everything has an opposing force.
Active/passive, light/dark. Know when it is
appropriate and go with the flow of nature.
(Wu-wei: know when NOT to do something)
– Yin: Female, Earth, Darkness, Death, Cold
– Yang: Male, Heaven, Light, Life, Health
Shintoism
(Shinto = way of the gods)
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No founder, scriptures, or
creeds.
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Native beliefs and practices of
Japan. A traditional religion,
practiced by 80% of
population.
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Ritual practices to connect
present with ancient past
(ancestral worship).
Beliefs
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Worship of many gods, considers forces in
nature/connection to universe and emperor
(child of sun goddess) as divine. Emperor
renounced after WWII.
– Pagodas for relics, not for congregation
– Torii-gateway temple
Judaism
Oldest of monotheistic religions
 6 million followers (Jews) in USA, 4 mil in Israel
 Faith and culture tied tightly together
 Would become origins of Christianity
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History
Abrahamic
religion: 4,000 years ago God told Abraham
to go from Mesopotamia/Iraq to Canaan/Israel.
In return for faith in one God (which was very different
from world at that time), they would have land and many
descendents in the land of Israel.
Followers (Jews) enslaved by Egypt, then freed by
Moses, who received 10 Commandments from God.
In 70 A.D., Romans forced Jews to disperse
throughout the world after destroying their temple in the
capital, Jerusalem. Only a portion of it remains, called
the Western or Wailing Wall. Conquered and
exiled many times from many lands for past
2,000 years.
No longer a temple religion but a religion tied to
literature of its history and symbolism.
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Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) is
writings of Torah and
prophets.
– Torah-Holy book, first five
books of the Bible. Basic laws
and teaching written in
Hebrew also called the Law
of Moses or the Pentateuch.
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Talmud-Oral tradition
written by the Rabbis,
history and commentaries.
Literature
Basic Precepts
 Belief
in One God
 Prophecy
of Moses and the Messiah is
still to come
 Atonement
accomplished by sacrifices,
penitence & good deeds
Facts on Judaism
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Calendar: Based on agricultural calendar
& Egypt/exodus events with lunar months.
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Ghetto: Venetian term for part of city used for
segregation. During the Middle Ages, area set up by
law to be inhabited only by Jews.
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Holy Land: Adherents of Islam have controlled the
Holy Land for most of past 1,5000 years. Following
WWII, creation of Israel and wars with Egypt, Syria,
Jordan, and Palestinians. Jerusalem controlled by
Israel since war in 1967 and considered holy to 3
religions.
– 10% of Jews currently live in Europe, compared to 90% in 1900.
Holidays
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Rosh Hashanah-first of the High Holy Days, like a
new year celebration, Celebrated for 2 days in the
fall that is believed to be the anniversary of the
creation of Adam and Eve. Part of it is eating
symbolic food such as apples dipped in honey to
evoke a sweet new year.
Passover-lasts 7-8 days and is celebration of
Exodus, liberation by God from slavery in Egypt
after the 10 plagues and their freedom as a nation
under Moses. One of the three Pilgrim Festivals.
They eat Seder meals with unleavened
bread (matzo).
Questions?
Other information about
Religions of the World
Disposing of the Dead
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Cemeteries: Christian, Muslim, Jews
Cremation: Hinduism
Other Types: Water, Celestial (Bird), Tree, Cliff,
Mummification, Worship/Relic
Religion versus Government
Secular Government: Non-religious government
 Communism: Anti-religious government
 Theocracy: Religious democracy
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– EX: Iran
Languages & Religion
Some religions utilize a specific language
 Islam: Arabic script and language only
 Judaism: Hebrew script and language only
 Christianity: Can use local language
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– Roman Catholic still use Latin in ceremonies
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Hinduism: Sanskrit