Buddhism is mixed with local religions in some places Buddhism is mixed with local religions in some places. In Japan, Buddhism is mixed with the local religion, Shintoism. Shinto Shrine In Kyoto, Japan, this Shinto shrine is visible after walking through a torii – a gateway usually formed by two wooden posts and topped by two horizontal beams.

Buddhist Stupas - 72 stupas, each containing a sculpture of the Buddha in meditation were built around 800 CE and still stand in Borobudur, Indonesia.

Sacred Landscapes of Buddhism Swedogon Pagodo in Yangon, Myanmar Eight hairs of the Buddha are preserved under the dome (chedi)

Buddhism came to Tibet from India in the 8th century Buddhism came to Tibet from India in the 8th century. Tibetan Buddhism is a mixture of Tantric and other Mahayana teachings developed further by spiritual leaders or monks called lamas. A prayer wheel contains a mantra, a prayer or chant that is repeated many times. Each turn of the wheel counts as a prayer said and merit gained.

Shintoism A Japanese ethnic religion based on animism and shamanism. Was modified by introduction of Buddhism-closely related today-many Japanese practice both. Reverence for nature and the land-emperor seen as divine. Belief in kami or spirits Used by militants as a nationalistic religion in 1930s to unify the country in war time. A torii gate welcomes pilgrims to the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island-it is sacred to Shinto and Buddhism

From the Hearth of Huang He (Yellow) River Valley Taoism – originated in China more than 2500 years ago * oneness of humanity and nature founder: Lao-Tsu sacred text: “Book of the Way” social manifestation: Feng Shui diffusion: East Asia

Chinese Religions Confucianism-mainly a philosophy of life founded by K’ung Fu-tze in 6th cent. BC Became a state religion of China-emphasized duty, social order and respect of others Daoism or Taoism “the Way” founded by Lao Zi, a reverence and harmony with nature-easily co- existed with Confucianism and Buddhism Left to right-Buddha, Confucius and Lao Zi

From the Hearth of the Eastern Mediterranean Judaism – originated in Southwest Asia about 4000 years ago. * first major monotheistic religion, covenant between God (one God) and Abraham (the chosen people) sacred text: Torah founder: Abraham sacred sites: Jerusalem (Western Wall), land between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River social manifestation: Zionism diffusion: into European cities during the diaspora, into N. America during WWII, into Israel over last 50 years

Judaism One of the world’s oldest religions Monotheistic religion that evolved in Southwest Asia 3 branches-Orthodox, Conservative and Reformed Not evangelical-does not seek converts Concentrated in Israel, but widely scattered in Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the Americas Yemeni Jew in 1914 reads from the sacred Torah Total number is about 18 million world wide 19th cent. Reform movement-goal to update Judaism Orthodox wanted to keep old precepts Conservative-less strictly Orthodox, but not as much change as Reformed.

Sacred Sites of Jerusalem Jerusalem is sacred to three major religions: Judaism (Western Wall) Christianity (Church of the Holy Sepulchre) Islam (Dome of the Rock)

Western Wall, Jerusalem

Jewish neighborhoods in European Cities the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, the Czech Republic Old Jewish Cemetery dates from the 1400s-last burial in 1787-tombstones are in disarray from years of burials one on top of another.-as many as 12 burials in one spot.

From the Hearth of the Eastern Mediterranean Christianity – originated in Southwest Asia about 2000 years ago. * monotheistic religion, follow teachings of Jesus to achieve eternal life sacred text: Bible founder: Jesus (son of God) sacred sites: Bethlehem, Jerusalem split in the church: * split into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in 1054 * Protestant sect split off in mid 1500s diffusion: into Western Europe, and then world wide during colonialism and after.

Christianity It has the largest number of followers and is the most widely dispersed with 1.6 billion or 40% of the population Roman Catholicism is the largest segment and is found in Europe, North American and Latin America. Protestantism dominates in Northern Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Eastern Orthodox is found in Eastern Europe, Russia and Ethiopia. Do Road Atlas Religious Toponyms If Time Permits hand out Road Atlases and have students count the number of towns or place names with St., Ste. Or Saint in Quebec-note how few there are in Ontario next door. Here or later

First Split in Christianity, 1054 CE Western Roman empire = Roman Catholicism Eastern Roman empire = Eastern Orthodox

The Eastern Orthodox Church makes up 14% of Christianity and is a loose collection of 14 self-governing churches in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. To the right are the spires of St. Basil’s Cathedral in the Kremlin of Moscow. Notice the Orthodox cross on the onion-domed spire.

The Cathedral of the Assumption, Moscow

Roman Catholicism is the largest branch of the Christian faith Roman Catholicism is the largest branch of the Christian faith. The Vatican in Rome is the headquarters of the Papacy and a powerful symbol to Catholics around the world. European cities were dominated by the spires of great cathedrals and churches until the 20th century.

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Vatican City-Pope John Paul II greeted pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square

National Geographic April 2008 Religious tourism is a rapidly growing industry with 300 million pilgrims per year producing revenues of 18 billion dollars.

Sacred Sites and Rituals At Saint Declan’s Holy Well in Ardmore, Ireland Pilgrims hang scraps of clothing as offerings This practice is common at sacred sites in Far Eastern Russia

Sacred Landscapes of Christianity Catholic Churches Are often located in the center of European cities, with spires reaching far above the other buildings. St. Michaels, (1472) Bordeaux, France St. Michaels (1472) in Bordeaux, France