Religions of Southern and Eastern Asia Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism and the Philosophy of Confucianism.

Confucianism Origins & History Founded by Confucius (551–479 BC), China

Confucianism Adherents Worldwide (approx.) 5-6 million

Confucianism God(s) and Universe God is not addressed. Centers on human behavior. Confucius regarded Heaven (T'ien) as a positive and personal force in the universe; he was not, as some have supposed, an agnostic or a skeptic.

Confucianism Human Situation and Life's Purpose Purpose of life is to fulfill one's role in society with propriety, honor, and loyalty. Student learning confucianism.

Confucianism Afterlife Not addressed.

Confucianism Practices Honesty, politeness, propriety, humaneness, perform correct role in society, loyalty to family, nation

Confucianism Texts Analects - The sacred text is simply a book that is written by Confucius himself, and includes the words that he spoke throughout his teachings and his aims to spread the word to his disciples. Many of his teachings and beliefs are listed and explained through this sacred text.

Confucianism Other Information Confucianism has been followed by the Chinese for more than two millennia. It has deeply influenced spiritual and political life in China; its influence has also extended to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. East Asians may profess themselves to be Shintoists, Taoists, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians - but seldom do they cease to be Confucians.

Hinduism Origins & History Indigenous religion of India as developed to present day.

Hinduism Adherents Worldwide (approx.) 900 million

Hinduism God(s) and Universe One Supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses

Hinduism Human Situation and Life's Purpose Humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but are able to escape. Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth.

Hinduism Afterlife Reincarnation until gain enlightenment.

Hinduism Practices Yoga, meditation, worship (puja), devotion to a god or goddess, pilgrimage to holy cities, live according to one's dharma (purpose/ role).

Hinduism Texts The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, etc.

Hinduism Other information Hinduism is an ancient religion with no founder or known date of origin. The term "Hinduism" simply derives from the word "India" and refers to a wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed in India over thousands of years. Most Hindus worship one or more deities, believe in reincarnation, value the practice of meditation, and observe festive holidays like Diwali and Holi.

Islam Origins & History Muhammad, 622 AD, Saudi Arabia

Islam Adherents Worldwide (approx.) 1.3 billion (Sunni: 940 million)

Islam God(s) and Universe One God (Allah in Arabic)

Islam Human Situation and Life's Purpose Humans must submit (islam) to the will of God to gain Paradise after death.

Islam Afterlife Paradise or Hell.

Islam Practices Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Pilgrimage, Fasting. Mosque services on Fridays. Ablutions (washing, purification) before prayer. No alcohol or pork. Holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan.

Islam Texts Qur'an (Scripture); Hadith (tradition)

Islam Other Information Islam is a monotheistic religion based on revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, which were later recorded in the Qur'an (Koran), Islam's sacred text. The faith spread rapidly and today Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The Arabic word islam means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God. Islamic practices are defined by the Five Pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and alms.

Shintoism Origins & History Indigenous religion of Japan.

Shintoism Adherents Worldwide (approx.) 3-4 million

Shintoism God(s) and Universe Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or spirits.

Shintoism Human Situation and Life's Purpose Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami.

Shintoism Afterlife Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death.

Shintoism Practices Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals.

Shintoism Texts Important texts are Kojiki or 'Records of Ancient Matters' and Nihon-gi or 'Chronicles of Japan'

Shintoism Other Information Shinto (also Shintoism) is the term for the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of Japan. Shinto has no founder, no official sacred scriptures, and no fixed creeds, but it has preserved its main beliefs and rituals throughout the ages.

Buddhism Origins & History Founded by Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE India.

Buddhism Adherents Worldwide (approx.) 360 million

Buddhism God(s) and Universe Varies: Theravada atheistic; Mahayana more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent.

Buddhism Human Situation and Life's Purpose Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit.

Buddhism Afterlife Reincarnation (understood differently than in Hinduism, with no surviving soul) until gain enlightenment

Buddhism Practices Meditation, mantras, devotion to deities (in some sects), mandalas (Tibetan)

Buddhism Texts Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others.

Buddhism Other Information Founded in India 2,500 years ago, Buddhism remains the dominant religion of the Far East and is increasingly popular in the West. Over its long history Buddhist has developed into a wide variety of forms, ranging from an emphasis on religious rituals and worship of deities to a complete rejection of both rituals and deities in favor of pure meditation. But all share in common a great respect for the teachings of the Buddha, "The Enlightened One."

Difference between Hinduism and Buddhism Buddhists- do not believe that the soul is unchanging. Seeking one’s individual self is counterproductive. It is not necessary to believe in a god, or that God created man. They believe that the purpose of reincarnation is to gain enlightenment and live in Nirvana. They do NOT believe in a caste system. [Goal - getting rid of one’s self] Hindus – believe you are born into a caste level and your goal is to perfect the soul at this level and move to a better life. They believe that when you have perfected your soul, you live in harmony with Brahman, the creator. [Goal - perfecting one’s self]