1. AP Eastern Religions and Belief Systems
HW: Fill in your religion chart. Be ready to discuss what you read in class.

2. Origins Hinduism Buddhism Taoism
2500 BCE Indus river valley. *NO single founder
Siddhartha Gautama broke away from Hinduism 300 BCE, Nepal
Laozi founded Taoism in the 6th century BCE during the Warring States Periods following the fall of the Zhou dynasty.

3. Warring States Era, China 403 – 221 BCE

4. Symbols Swastika The swastika, om, and… yin-yang Om Dharmachakra
Hinduism
Buddhism
Taoism
Swastika
The swastika, om, and…
yin-yang Om
Dharmachakra
Mandala

5. Sacred Texts Hinduism Buddhism Taoism Vedas (Sanskrit) Sutras
The Way of Virtue by Laozi
Mahabharata (Sanskrit) is an epic poem.
Upanishads

6. Sacred Places Hinduism Buddhism Taoism Ganges river
Temples and shrines
Temples and shrines (often in nature)

7. Beliefs Hinduism Buddhism Taoism
Most Hindus are monotheistic; they believe in one god Brahman that takes on different forms.
Belief in a deity is not necessary to be a Buddhist.
Polytheistic
Dharma and Karma
Reincarnation. Follow the eightfold path to reach enlightenment and nirvana
Ch'i is the life force that is in all things.
Reincarnation with the goal of Mokasha
4 Noble Truths
It is virtuous to avoid conflict. Government should be limited.
Caste system
REJECTS the caste system
Taoism needs to be experienced.

8. All these deities are different forms of Brahma, the one Hindu god.

9. Caste System

10. Untouchables/ Dalits
“The Dalits, also known as the “untouchables” make up nearly one quarter of India’s 1.2 billion society.. In 70% of India’s villages, for example, non-Dalits will not eat or drink with Dalits. The UN experts say Dalit women and girls are exposed to multiple forms of discrimination and sexual violence. Hundreds of thousands of children in India are forced to eke out a living to support their families by sweeping streets, cleaning toilets and clearing garbage from public places.

11. The Eightfold Path of Buddhism

12. Practices Hinduism Buddhism Taoism
Prayer/meditation at shrines and temples
Tai Chi (moving meditation)
No consumption of beef
Many are vegetarian or vegan
Prayer/meditation at shrines and temples, often outdoors (respect for nature).
Ganges is sacred
Monastic tradition. Unlike Christianity it is not for life
Yoga

13. Meditation is quiet time in thought or concentration.
Yoga is a form of meditation.
Meditation is quiet time in thought or concentration.

14. Hindu and Buddhist Temples
Swaminarayan Akshardham is the largest Hindu temple in the world, New Delhi, India

15. A man practicing Tai Chi in Shanghai.

16. Taoist Temple, Wudang Mountains

17. Role of Women Hinduism Buddhism Taoism Patriarchal
practice of Sati (Suttee) at the death of their husbands, women were to throw themselves on his funeral pyre, joining him in death

18. Holidays Hinduism Buddhism Taoism Holi Vesak (Buddha’s birthday)
The Lantern Festival
Diwali

19. Confucianism Origins Sacred Texts Beliefs & Practices
Confucius founded Confucianism in the 6th century BCE during the Warring States Periods following the fall of the Zhou dynasty.
The Analects is a collection of Confucian beliefs and wisdom written by his students.
Filial piety; respect must be given to your elders and ancestors.
Confucius believed there are 5 key relationships in any society. Only friends are equals. Superiors AND inferiors must show respect to the other, in order to keep harmony.

20. Confucian 5 Key Relationships
SUPERIOR
INFERIOR
Ruler
Ruled
Husband
Wife
Parent
Child
Elder brother
Younger Brother
Friend

21. Confucius Day is celebrated in China on September 29th.

24. Key Vocabulary
Confucianism Filial Piety Five Key Relationships of Confucius Lantern Festival Laozi Philosopher The Analects The Way of Virtue Shrines Tai Chi Taoism Warring States Era