Religions of East Asia

Buddhism Originated in South Asia 6th Century BCE

Buddhism Prince Siddhartha Gautama Born about 560 BC in what is now Nepal, he grew up in a protected environment Saw suffering for the first time at the age of 29. He was determined to discover the cause of human suffering.

Buddhism Basic Beliefs--Four Noble Truths 1. Life is suffering

Buddhism Basic Beliefs--Four Noble Truths Life is suffering 2. We suffer because we crave things.

Buddhism Basic Beliefs--Four Noble Truths Life is suffering We suffer because we crave things. 3. It is possible to cease our suffering

Buddhism Basic Beliefs--Four Noble Truths Life is suffering. We suffer because we crave things. It is possible for suffering to cease. The way to end suffering is by following the Eightfold Path.

Buddhism’s Eightfold Path (The Middle Path)

Buddhism: Reincarnation and Nirvana

Buddhism sects: Mahayana and Theravada

Theravada Buddhism Asceticism Reflection Study (only the monk can gain salvation) Myanmar Laotian Monks

Mahayana Buddhism --Believe that some enlightened ones (bhodisatvas) forego salvation in order to help others --Salvation is available to all. --Strongest in Tibet,China,Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia. Kunming, China

Tibetan Buddhism (Mahayana)

Images of the Buddha Teaching Buddha Calling the Earth to Witness Dispelling Fear Meditating Buddha

Images of the Buddha The reclining posture represents complete peace and detachment from the world--the passage to Nirvana.

The Laughing (Happy) Buddha According to some, he is the incarnation of a Buddha who will appear in the future, more properly called a bhodisatva.

Confucianism Confucius (Kongfuzi) 551-479 BCE Although not organized as a religion, Confucianism has had much influence on social philosophy and politics in East Asia. (There are some groups that practice Confucianism as a religion.)

Confucianism calls for a hierarchical ordering of society with an emphasis on daily conduct. Maintaining harmonious relationships is most important. --ruler-subject --father-son --friend-friend --husband-wife --brother-sister The Chinese symbol for water is often associated with Confucianism.

Concept of Li The inherent pattern of human behavior. Especially important in the social context--propriety or etiquette. The goal is to create a just and ethical society.

Filial Piety The respect and obedience that a child should show his father. For Confucianists, this extends to all of the five relationships.

Taoism “The Way” or “The Path” --The individual should try to behave in harmony with the Tao--the sum total of all things. --”wu-wei”--passive non-resistence to the natural forces of life. Go with the flow. Lao-tsu (604-517 BC) (Some sects have diefied Lao-tsu.)

Harmony comes from balancing yin and yang. Yin (feminine) --cool, dark forces --rain, clouds, --winter, snow --north Yang (masculine) --hot, bright forces --thunder, earth, summer, the sun --south

Feng Shui The Chinese art or practice of positioning objects, especially graves, buildings, and furniture. Seeks to maintain a constant and balanced flow of positive and negative energies (chi)

The Vinegar Tasters

Shintoism-- “the way of the Kami” (that which inspires awe) -A combination of nature worship and Ancestor worship. -Japanese emperor had semi-divine status. Torii Gate

Zen Buddhism --The key to Nirvana is self-knowledge. --The way to gain self-knowledge is through meditation--a more individual and intuitive approach to enlightenment. --Zen was a favorite of the Samurai class. ikebana

Islam in East Asia

Christianity in East Asia In South Korea --35% Protestant --13% Roman Catholic