1. Religion: Hearths & Diffusion

2. FROM THE HEARTH OF SOUTH ASIA

3. Hinduism
Originates: Indus River Valley – 4000 years ago Founder: no single founder / theology Practices: Ritual bathing Beliefs: hierarchy, karma to escape cycle of reincarnation Sacred Site: Ganges River Sacred Text: Vedas Social Manifestation: Caste System Diffusion: W. India & East
Shiva

5. BUDDHISM
Originates: Splinters off Hinduism 2500 years ago Questioned strict hierarchy Founder: Siddhartha (The Buddha) Beliefs: salvation attainable for all, Enlightenment is ultimate goal, 4 Noble Truths, 8 Fold Path Diffusion: N. into Tibet, E. Asia Buddhism differs regionally

7. SHINTOISM
Originates: Japan Practices: Buddhism mixed with local Japanese religion Beliefs: Nature, ancestor worship
Combination of folklore, history, and mythology Torii gate at entrance to shinto shrine. Represents transition from profane to sacred

8. FROM THE HEARTH OF THE HUANG HE RIVER VALLEY
AKA the Yellow River

9. Taoism
Originates: China over 2500 years ago Founder: Lao-Tsu Sacred Text: Tao-te-ching “Book of the Way” Beliefs: proper political rule (least government), human beings oneness with nature, living in harmony with the Tao Social Manifestation: Feng Shui GEOMANCERS consulted to understand desires of powerful spirits, ancestors & those of natural world Diffusion: East Asia
Yin yang. Contradictory forces connect with one another and support and give rise to one another. THE TAO is the way or path. You cannot describe the eternal tao. If it is described, then it is not the eternal tao

11. Confucianism
Originates: China 2500 years ago Founder: Confucius Beliefs: life is in the present, not concerned with heaven or hell, ancestor worship, sacrificial sites, shamanism Sacred Texts: Confucian Classics Diffusion: E & SE Asia
Ancestor worship, filial piety, hungry ghosts. RELIGION AND CHINESE POPULAR CULTURE

12. FROM THE Hearth of the Eastern Mediterranean

14. JUDAISM
Originates: SW Asia – 4000 years ago 1st MAJOR MONOTHEISTIC RELIGION Covenant between God and his chosen people - they worship ONLY him & he protects them Founder: Abraham Sacred Text: Torah Sacred Sites: Jerusalem (Western Wall), area between Mediterranean and Jordan River Social Manifestation: Zionism Diffusion: (history of turmoil & upheaval) To Europe during diaspora, to N. America during WWII, to Israel during last 60 years

16. Christianity
Originates: SW Asia 2000 years ago MONOTHEISTIC Founder: Jesus (Son of God) Beliefs: follow teachings of Jesus to achieve salvation (eternal life) Sacred Sites: Jerusalem, Bethlehem SPLIT IN CHURCH Roman Empire Splits E-W 1054 Roman Catholic (Rome) & Eastern Orthodox (Byzantium) ANOTHER SPLIT 1517 Protestant Reformation Catholicism & Protestantism (and many sects) Diffusion: Western Europe & worldwide with colonization

18. ISLAM
Originates: Arabian Peninsula 1500 years ago Monotheistic, Allah’s revelations to man Founder: Muhammad (the 1 true prophet) Sacred Text: Qu’ran Sacred Sites: Mecca, Medina Adherents Observe: 5 Pillars (creed, fast, prayer, almsgiving, pilgrimage) SPLIT IN CHURCH After Muhammad’s death over succession SUNNI – most able (majority) SHIITE – hereditary (minority) Diffusion: Arabian Peninsula, Spain, N. Africa, SW & SE Asia

19. Kaaba was first house built by abraham to worship allah
Kaaba was first house built by abraham to worship allah. Blue mosque in istanbul.

20. Shamanism / traditional
Follow local religious leader or a deity / god Small, local, isolated faiths Mainly in Africa today