1. Culture and Religion in SOUTH ASIA1

2. CULTURE OF SOUTH ASIA A culturally fragmented region
Religious and linguistic diversity
Religions
Islam is predominant in Pakistan and Bangladesh (165 million in India).
Hinduism is predominant in India.
Buddhism is predominant in Sri Lanka.
Sikhism thrives in northern India. 2

3. Islam swept through central India from the 8th -10th centuries AD
Hinduism emerged from the beliefs and practices brought to India by the Aryans. (Before 1500BC)
Buddhism emerged during the 6th century BC; made the state religion of India in 3rd century BC
Islam swept through central India from the 8th -10th centuries AD
Sikhism founded during the 15th century AD. Combines Islam and Hinduism 3

4. HINDUISM One of the world’s oldest religions.
Not just a religion; also a culture in itself. 4

5. THREE BASIC PRACTICES Puja or worship Cremation of the dead
Regulations of the caste system 5

6. CASTE SYSTEM 1) Brahmans, the priestly and learned class;
2) Kshatriyas, the warriors and rulers;
3) Vaisyas, farmers and merchants;
4) Sudras, peasants & laborers.
5) Panchamas/Pariahs, “the untouchables” who performed the most menial tasks. 6

7. Three main ideas of Hinduism
Reincarnation
Karma
Dharma 7

8. REINCARNATION Every living thing has a soul.
When a living thing dies, its soul moves into another living creature.
Souls are reborn in a newly created life. 8

9. KARMA Every action brings about certain results.
There is no escaping the consequences of one’s actions.
Good behavior is rewarded when the soul is reborn into a higher ranking living creature. 9

10. DHARMA
A set of rules that must be followed by all living things if they wish to work their way up the ladder of reincarnation.
Each person’s dharma is different. 10

11. RELIGIOUS CONTRASTS ISLAM HINDUISM Monotheistic Polytheistic No idols
One sacred book Koran/Qur’an
Uniform dogma - 5 pillars
Intolerant (of other religions)
Eat beef/Sacrifice cows Eating Pork is Forbidden
Bury Dead
Social Equality (in theory)
Theocratic society
Founded by Muhammad
HINDUISM
Polytheistic
Many idols
Various sacred writings
Varying beliefs
Absorbed other religions
Venerate cows
Burn dead (& alive)
Caste separation
“State” of secondary importance 11

12. BUDDHISM Focuses on knowledge, especially self-knowledge
As much a philosophy as a religion
Founded by: Siddhartha Gautama ( B.C.)
Focuses on knowledge, especially self-knowledge
Elimination of worldly desires, determination not to hurt or kill people or animals 12

13. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS Sorrow and suffering are part of all life.
People suffer because they desire things they cannot have.
The way to escape suffering is to end desire.
To end desire, follow the “middle path.” 13

14. EIGHTFOLD PATH TO THE MIDDLE WAY
Right understanding
Right purpose
Right speech
Right conduct
Right means of earning a living
Right effort
Right awareness
Right meditation 14

15. SIKHISM Founded during the 15th century, by Guru Nanak
Monotheistic religion
The principal beliefs are faith & justice
Balance work, worship, and charity, and should defend the rights of all creatures
Sacred Text is the Guru Granth Sahib
Belief in reincarnation
Combines principles of Islam and Hinduism

16. Religious prohibitions in Sikhism:
Cutting hair: Cutting hair is strictly forbidden.
Intoxication: alcohol, drugs, tobacco, & other intoxicants are not allowed.
Adultery: Spouses must be physically faithful to one another.
Blind spirituality: Superstitions & rituals should not be observed or followed
Material obsession: Obsession with material wealth is not encouraged
Sacrifice of creatures: The practice of sati (widows throwing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands), or ritual animal sacrifice to celebrate etc. are forbidden.
Non-family-oriented living: A Sikh is encouraged NOT to live as a recluse, beggar, yogi, monk/nun. Sikhs are to live as saint-soldiers.
Worthless talk: Bragging, lying, slander, "back-stabbing", etc. not permitted.
Priestly class: Sikhism does not have priests.
Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner: Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner
Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations is forbidden

17. The 5 Kakaars Kesh – uncut hair. Kanga - a wooden comb.
Kara - a metal bracelet.
Kachera – a specific style of cotton underwear.
Kirpan – a strapped curved sword.