Religion in South Asia Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrians, Christians, Judaism…

COMPARISON: Hinduism & Islam  HINDUISM  Polytheistic  Many sacred texts  Closely tied to caste  Cattle are sacred  No formal organization/hierar chy  No founder  ISLAM  Monotheistic  Koran is ultimate authority  Egalitarian (all = in eyes of Allah)  Cattle are food!  Strictly organized regarding worship & leadership  Muhammed = founder & key prophet

Religious geography of S. Asia  Hinduism: dominates India  Islam: dominates Pakistan & Bangladesh (15% of India’s pop.- nw Kashmir & Ganges Valley)  Buddhism: Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal  Sikhs: Indian state of Punjab

SIKHISM…beliefs  Combines elements of Hinduism & Islam;  It is monotheistic  Believes in reincarnation  Self-denial is NOT required – but you should avoid worldly temptations & sins  Preaches racial, religious & gender equality

SIKHISM…politically  Originated in Punjab, India (60% Sikh) near India/Pakistan border in a time of religious conflict;  Orthodox Muslims rejected Sikhism  Periodic bouts of persecution led Sikh’s to develop a militant characteristic;  Many Sikh men work as soldiers or bodyguards.

JAINISM… origins & beliefs  Emerged in N. India in protest of orthodox Hinduism  Stresses nonviolence;  Jains are forbidden to kill any living creatures (extreme practices)  Agriculture is forbidden  Many make their livelihood through trade (one of India’s wealthiest communities)

OTHER RELIGIONS IN S. ASIA…  PARSIS or ZOROASTRIANS… ancient religion that originated in Iran; focuses on struggle between good & evil;  CHRISTIANITY…greatest in number of all the minority religions in the region;  JUDAISM…today only several hundred make up the region’s Jewish population