Religions in Asia PDF

Religions in Asia Ethnic Groups - This is a group of people who share a common interest and culture and also have the same language. - Ethnic groups can have many things in common: Shared history, common ancestry, language,...

Religions in Asia Ethnic Groups - This is a group of people who share a common interest and culture and also have the same language. - Ethnic groups can have many things in common: Shared history, common ancestry, language, religion, traditions, etc.  Religious Groups - This is a group of people who share a common belief in a religious claim. - Religious groups can have many things in common: God/s, prophets, prayers, history, sacred text, religious law, etc. Religions in Asia The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. Religions in Asia: Judaism Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Taoism Shamanism Animism “Judaism” One of the first known monotheistic religions. Judaism is the native faith of the Jewish people, based upon the belief in a covenant of responsibility between a sole omnipotent creator God and Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Modern Judaism has three basic categories of faith: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform/Liberal. Common Rituals and Practices of Judaism 1. Circumcision (Brit Milah) 2. Religious Adulthood (Bar/Bat Mitzvah) Common Rituals and Practices of Judaism 3. Ritual Bath (Mikveh) 4. Prayer (Tefillah)  Common Rituals and Practices of Judaism 5. Avoidance of Writing and Uttering ‘God’ 6. Charity (Tzedakah)  Common Rituals and Practices of Judaism 7. Weekly Observance (Shabbat) “Christianity” Christianity is one of the three monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, along with Islam and Judaism, that trace their spiritual lineage to Abraham of the Hebrew Scriptures. Christianity's central belief maintains that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised messiah of the Hebrew Scriptures, and that his life, death, and resurrection are salvific for the world. Christianity's sacred texts include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament (or the Christian Gospels). Here are the top 6 Christian traditions that are greatly followed: 1. Sacred Time – Christians worship weekly and throughout the year. Although the worship style of the churches differs, the weekly service, Christmas and Easter have special meaning for all Christians. 2. Sacred Space – Christians worship and pray together in churches built in a variety of shapes and styles, home is also a place to worship although it should have no hindrances and distractions. 3. Rites and Ceremonies – The sacred rituals of Christianity, called sacraments or ordinances, vary greatly between Christian denominations. All Christians practice baptism and the Eucharist, which are an ancient tradition. Here are the top 6 Christian traditions that are greatly followed: 4. Worship and Devotion in Daily Life – Christian seek to sanctify their daily lives with prayer and scripture reading. These activities are performed in solitude or in groups that helps Christians cultivate a close personal relationship with God. 5. Sunday Worship – This is done by going to the church on a Sunday to listen to the liturgy of the word and taking the Eucharist. 6. Symbolism – Much of Christian life and practice is accompanied by symbol that reinforce the Christian’s relationship with God. One these and the most common is the cross.  “Islam” Islam originated in what is now Saudi Arabia and the word means “submission to God”. In Islam, there is only one God, know as Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet. The Quran, which is the Islamic scripture, was revealed to him by God. 5 pillars of Islam: Testimony of faith (shahada), daily prayer (salah), giving alms (zakah), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). The Five Pillars of Islam The Five Pillars are the core beliefs and practices of Islam: 1. Testimony of Faith (shahada). The belief that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" is central to Islam. This phrase, written in Arabic, is often prominently featured in architecture and a range of objects, including the Qur'an, Islam's holy book of divine revelations. The Five Pillars of Islam 2. Prayer (salat). Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. Prayer includes a recitation of the opening chapter (sura) of the Qur'an, and is sometimes performed on a small rug or mat used expressly for this purpose Men gather in the mosque for the noonday prayer on Friday; women are welcome but not obliged to participate. After the prayer, a sermon focuses on a passage from the Qur'an, followed by prayers by the imam and a discussion of a particular religious topic. The Five Pillars of Islam 3. Alms (zakat). In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims donate a fixed portion of their income to community members in need. The Five Pillars of Islam 4. Fasting (sawm). During the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, all healthy adult Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink. During Ramadan they share the hunger and thirst of the needy as a reminder of the religious duty to help those less fortunate. The Five Pillars of Islam 5. Pilgrimage (hajj). Every Muslim whose health and finances permit it must make at least one visit to the holy city of Mecca. The Ka'ba, a cubical structure covered in black embroidered hangings, is at the center of the Haram Mosque in Mecca. Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, believers from all over the world have gathered around the Ka'ba in Mecca on the eighth and twelfth days of the final month of the Islamic calendar.  “Hinduism” Hinduism is an extremely diverse set of beliefs and practices with no single founder or religious authority. It is not only one religion, but a group of related beliefs. Hinduism has many scriptures; the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita. The most common figures of devotion are the gods Vishnu, Shiva, and a mother goddess, Devi. The idea of “Dharma” and “Karma”. Dharma Dharma is a word which may have many meaning in English. Among them are duty, merit, and law. To most Hindus, a person’s dharma is their duty in life according to their family relationship, their local community, and their god. Karma Karma literally means “action”. To most Hindus, karma are actions performed in order to be sure that they fulfill their dharma. The most common rituals practiced in all Hindu households are: Puja, meditation, silent prayers, yoga, recitation of scriptures from Bhagavad Gita or bhajans, reading religious books, participating in Satsang (prayer meets), performing charitable work, visiting a temple, and chanting the name of their beloved God.  “Buddhism” Religion or philosophy inspired by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (also known as Gautama Buddha, or "the enlightened one"). Buddhism focuses on the goal of spiritual enlightenment centered on an understanding of Gautama Buddha's Four Noble Truths on the nature of suffering and on the Eightfold Path of spiritual and moral practice, to break the cycle of suffering. Rituals and Practices in Buddhism Devotion - common types of veneration practices include merit-making, bowing, giving offerings, chanting, meditating on the qualities embodied by specific buddhas or bodhisattvas (such as compassion and wisdom) and pilgrimage.  Bowing - the act of bowing is usually done to express gratitude, humility, respect, veneration and acknowledgement. Chanting - a common practice in Buddhism. It may occur as part of a broader ritual or as an act of worship in itself.  Life Cycle Rites - The most significant life cycle event commemorated in Mahāyāna Buddhism is a series of funeral rituals. Protective rights - Some short and powerful statements they believed to evoke a protective power when spoken or chanted. Pilgrimage - Pilgrimages are seen as a rewarding practice that helps the pilgrim gain merit and purifies negative karma.  “Confucianism” one of the most influential religious philosophies in the history of China. It is concerned with inner virtue, morality and respect for the community and its values. Founded by the philosopher Confucius. The golden rule of Confucianism is “do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.” - Confucianism includes strict rules about class in Chinese society, which contributed to the stratification of ancient Chinese society. China was divided into four social classes: the noble or scholar elite class, the landowners and farmers, craftsmen, and merchants The Most Popular Confucian Symbols 1. Chinese Character of Water - Water is an important element of life, which allows all things to grow and thrive. It’s associated with winter and with stillness. - The water symbol is used to express tranquility and dignity in your own life as well as peace and understanding with your neighbors. 2. Yin Yang - It symbolizes the same thing in both religions – the balance in life between opposing forces. - The symbol represents duality and is portrayed as a circle divided into two halves, one black and the other white. Each half contains a dot of the opposite color. 3. The Scholar Symbol - The Scholar symbol expresses the importance of knowledge and self-awareness, both of which are essential if one is to truly achieve balance within themselves. 4. The Li - The Li symbol represents correct behavior, as in good manners, respect, politeness, and adherence to social etiquette.  “Taoism” an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion that instructs believers on how to exist in harmony with the universe. Taoism has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu. The Tao Te Ching, or “The Way and Its Power,” is a collection of poetry and sayings that guides Taoist thought and actions. The Three Jewels of the Tao are compassion, simplicity, and humility and serve as the basis for Taoist ethics. Taoist thought has informed the development of various practices within the Taoist tradition and beyond, including; forms of meditation, astrology, qigong, feng shui, and internal alchemy.  “Shamanism” Historically, it is often associated with Indigenous and tribal societies. involves belief that shamans, having a connection to the otherworld, have the power to heal the sick, communicate with spirits, and escort souls of the dead to the afterlife. Shamans perform a variety of functions depending upon their respective cultures; healing, leading a sacrifice, preserving traditions by storytelling and songs, fortune-telling, and acting as a psychopomp. A single shaman may fulfill several of these functions.  “Animism” Animism is not a religion. is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. involves belief that shamans, having a connection to the otherworld, have the power to heal the sick, communicate with spirits, and escort souls of the dead to the afterlife.  “Animism is the oldest way of seeing the world since Adam’s walk with God.”