Religions of Southeast Asia • Buddhism Philosophy of Confucianism Hinduism Shintoism • Islam

Birthplaces of Twelve Major Living Religions

Buddhism in Southeast Asia Buddhism is one of the important religions of mainland SE Asia – 360 million adherents worldwide Founded in Northeast India in 6th c. BC by Siddhartha Gautama After Siddhartha’s “awakening” or enlightenment, he came to be called the Buddha (The Enlightened One) In the 3rd c. BC Buddhist missionaries traveled throughout India to Sri Lanka and beyond to most of SE Asia. Buddhism began to lose influence in India in the 8 BC. due to the rise of Hinduism and Islam

Buddha’s Birthplace and Dispersion of Buddhism to East Asia

Buddha’s Early Teachings: Four Noble Truths The truth of suffering, The truth of the cause of suffering, The truth of the end of suffering, The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

Buddhist Practices Meditation - Mental concentration and mindfulness Mantras - Sacred sounds Mudras - Symbolic hand gestures Prayer Wheels - Reciting mantras with the turn of a wheel

Burmese Monks Burmese Nuns

Confucianism in South East Asia Confucianism developed in China: a belief system begun by the moral philosopher, Confucius (551 BC –479 BC) Confucianism is a complex set of beliefs emphasizing harmony, stability, consensus, hierarchy and authority There is no priesthood and no formal ritual Confucian ideas still have a profound effect in Vietnam, Singapore, and among Chinese in cities throughout the region There are approximately 6 million Confucians in the world. Almost all are in SE Asia.

MAIN TENETS OF CONFUCIANISM • The Sacred Past: Confucius believed people should study the past to understand how to behave and be virtuous. • The Social Code (Relationships): Political relationships are like family relationships, but larger. Rulers should behave toward their subjects they way fathers do with their children. Certain rituals of the past should be followed with this code. • Self-Improvement: Strive to become a virtuous man. If all become virtuous, there will be harmony in society.

Confucianism

Origins of Hinduism Hinduism originated in India; it spread to SE Asia, and other parts of the world It is considered one of the oldest religions in the world and can be traced to 2000 BC In the 1st c. AD, Hinduism was spread throughout SE Asia by Indian traders who established marketing centers on their routes Today, there are approximately 900 million practicing Hindus

World Dispersion of the Hindu Community

Beliefs of Hinduism Believe in a Supreme God – Brahman – the force present in all things Every living thing has a soul Central belief involves cycle of birth, death and rebirth (reincarnation) controlled by Karma - Karma is the belief that one’s actions have good or bad consequences Life should be lived according to the dharma (code of conduct)

Practices of Hinduism The Ganges is considered sacred, the home of the goddess Ganga annual pilgrimages to the many temples and shrines located along its shores Drink, bathe, and, after death, have their ashes scattered in the river. Bathing in the Ganges is a purifying ritual to wash away sins spreading one's ashes in the water upon death may improve one's karma and hasten salvation.

Shintoism in SE Asia Shintoism is the indigenous religion of Japan Approximately 3-4 million adherents worldwide Contains aspects of Buddhism and Toaism – mixture of religious traditions “Shinto" means "way of the kami." Shinto beliefs focus on the existence and power of the kami, or gods, that exist in the world, in nature, and especially in and throughout Japan. A diverse and ancient set of traditional and ritual practices that create and express the natural relationship between the Shinto gods (called "kami") and the people and places of Japan. Shinto rituals performed at shrines by male priests - Purification rituals are common Many national festivals (matsuri) revolve around Shinto beliefs and celebrate the seasons, Japanese history, and other Japanese events and traditions

Shintoism does NOT have: a formal founder written documents before the 8th century CE list of formalized ethics system of dogmatic beliefs or creeds specific holy book

Shinto Shrines

Origins of Islam in Southeast Asia Islam’s roots in SE Asia are debated: some argue that Islam came directly from Arabia in the Middle East; some say Islam came from India via the Middle East; others claim Islam was brought to SE Asia through Muslim Chinese traders Islam arrived in SE Asia sometime in the 13th c. long after Hinduism, Animism and Buddhism Islam in SE Asia influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism There is great Islamic diversity throughout SE Asia due to the mix of religious traditions

Review of Islam Muhammad is the founder Holy Book is called the Koran (Quran) Arabic is the sacred language Worship in a mosque Imam leads the worship Mecca is a Holy City 5 Pillars Sunni – majority – any holy man could be the leader after Muhammad Shite – minority – the next leader has to be a descendant of Muhammed

Islam in Southeast Asia today Indonesia most populous Islamic country in the world (90% Muslim) Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and India also have large Muslim populations 1.3 billion adherents worldwide

Asian Religions

Works Cited Carroll, Beverly J. “Shinto Basics.” World-Religions-Professor.com. 2012. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. “Confucianism.” http://www.freehostingguru.com/. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. “Confucianism: The Philosophy Explained.” http://www.mitchellteachers.org/confucius/philosophy/ ConfucianPhilosophyNotesHandout.pdf/. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Kleinmeyer, Cindy. “Religions of South East Asia.” Northern Illinois University. June, 2004. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.