Introduction to: South Asia – The Realm of the Monsoons – South Asian Cultures and Religions – Regions of the Realm

Overview Well defined physiographically The world’s second largest population cluster Significant demographic problems Low income economies Population concentrated in villages - subsistence agriculture Strong cultural regionalism Boundary problems

The Realm of the Monsoons From the Arabic word “mausim” which means season: Annual weather cycle within the tropical and subtropical continents of Asia, Australia and Africa and the adjacent seas and oceans. Most vigorous and dramatic cycles of weather events on earth: Torrential rains. Floods. Tropical cyclones. Blow from the southwest from April to October: Wet season. India gets more than 80% of its rainfall during the monsoon. Blow from the northeast from October to April: Dry season. The shifting of the pattern rather unpredictable: An early or late Monsoon can have negative impact on agriculture.

The Realm of the Monsoons Convectional rainfall Mostly during the summer, almost everyday around the tropics. Hot temperature causes rapid evaporation. As the humid air climbs, it cools and causes torrential rain falls. Orographic rainfall Mostly during the monsoons. High mountain ranges force humid air masses to climb. It cools and rain falls. Highest levels of precipitation are on the Indian side of the Himalayas (more than 30 feet of precipitation per year). Condensation Evaporation Wind

Dominant Wind Patterns in the Winter (October to April) – Dry Season H (Cold) Monsoon Region L (Warm) L (Warm) Monsoon Region

Dominant Wind Patterns in the Summer (April to October) – Wet Season L (Warm) Monsoon Region H (Cold) Monsoon Region

Average Annual Precipitations (in millimeters) Dry continental Driest desert on earth Gobi Desert Ganges Delta Mawsynram, India (467” of rain per year; 11860 mm). Most precipitation on earth Monsoon east Borneo Raining every day with no dry season

South Asian Cultures and Religions B South Asian Cultures and Religions A culturally fragmented realm Religious and linguistic diversity. Religious Patterns Islam is predominant in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Hinduism is predominant in India. Sikhism thrives in northern India. Buddhism is predominant in Sri Lanka.

South Asian Cultures and Religions Hinduism Oldest of the major religions (3,000-4000 BC). Originated in northern India. Polytheistic with more than 333,000 gods: All part of Brahman; the one ultimate reality. Main deities: Trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver of good and order) and Shiva (god of destruction and creation). Four major facts: Karma: Your deeds, good or bad, will return to you. Reincarnation: You are the sum of numerous past existences. Dharma: Laws and duties of being (restrains and observances). Worship: Your communion with gods. Cast system reflecting one’s position in the ladder. About 1 billion followers (India and Indian communities).

South Asian Cultures and Religions Buddhism Emerged around 563 B.C. in northern India: Reform of Hinduism. Called a religion, a philosophy, an ideology and a way of life. Siddhartha became the first Buddha, or “Awakened One”. Similar concepts than Hinduism (Karma, Reincarnation and Dharma). Four Noble Truths: Suffering is universal and inevitable. The immediate cause of suffering is desire and ignorance. There is a way to dispel ignorance and relieve suffering. The eightfold path is the means to achieve liberation from suffering. This path includes (1) Right View, (2) Right Thought, (3) Right Speech, (4) Right Action, (5) Right Livelihood, (6) Right Effort, (7) Right Mindfulness, and (8) Right Concentration.

South Asian Cultures and Religions Multitude of possible paths. By achieving the right path, one enters Nirvana: State of absolute desirelessness and peacefulness. Withdrawal from material world through meditation. Mahayana Buddhism: Mostly practiced in East Asia (and Vietnam). Salvation can be achieved through the intervention of deities. Bodhisattva are people who postpone entry to nirvana to save other beings. Theravada Buddhism: Mostly practiced in Southeast Asia (Indochina and Thailand). Individual is responsible for salvation. Achieved through good deeds and religious activity. Importance of monastic orders.