Asian Religion Review

One Word Review based on what you learned yesterday.

As the following words come up, test your brain. What religion(s) come to mind?

Guru

Nature

Reincarnation

Polytheism

Siddhartha

Japan

Vedas

Karma

Religion?

Buddhism

• Began in India.• Today: Throughout Asia.

(Tibet and Nepal especially)

• Siddhartha Gautama.• Four Noble Truths.• Eightfold Path to

enlightenment “nirvana”• Non-Violence (ahimsa)

and simplicity.• Dalai Lama

Hinduism• One of the oldest.• India.• Polytheistic.• Brahma (creator), Vishnu (protector), Shiva

(destroyer).• Samsara (cycle of life)• Caste system.• Rig Veda to Upanishads.

Taoism• Lao Tze• Hearth=China• “The Way”• Nature and harmony with

the universe.• Good actions, right mind,

others first.

Jainsim• India• Three jewels: “right faith, right

knowledge, right conduct”• No “gods”, but rather 24

“teachers” (Mahavera most influential)

• Rebirth.• All living things have souls.• Vegetarians.• Non-violence (ahimsa)

Sikhism• “Newer” religion (500 yrs

old)• Guru Nanak founder• India (Muslims and Hindus

not getting along, this was an alternative)

• One god• Tolerant of other religions• Holy book: Guru Granth

Sahib

Shintoism

• Japan• No founder or god• Spirits exist in the

natural world (kami)• Sun Goddess most

celebrated kami• Purity• Coexists with

Buddhism

Confucianism

• Confucius (c. 550 BCE)• China• Perfect society if people have “beautiful

conduct”• Moral Code vs. Religion• Filial Piety (respect for elders/ancestors)• “Ignorance is the night of the mind, a night

without moon or stars.”