1. Asia Cultural Geography Copied from http://mrdgeography.com
Edited by B. Thomas

2. Religion Seven religions found in Asia are: A. Buddhism E. Shintoism
F. Islam
B. Hinduism
G. Christianity
C. Confucianism
D. Taoism

3. Hinduism
Hinduism is an ethnic religion because it appeals mainly to people in India. Most Hindus in the world live in India.
Hinduism origins can be traced back to B.C. or earlier and, unlike the Islamic religion, cannot be traced back to one founder (Mohammed founded Islam).
Instead, Hinduism is based on the teachings of holy men and revealed truths over a long period of time.

4. Hinduism
Christians have the Bible, Muslims have the Qu’ran, and the Hindus have the following for their sacred text:
The Vedas
Upanishads
Sutras

5. Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)
Hinduism is considered by some to be polytheistic, although Brahman is the supreme spirit. What makes many see Hinduism as polytheistic is that Brahman takes four forms, called varnas. Varna is your rank in humanity based on your level of spiritual purity, and dartha is to live with virtue. The four varnas are:
Atman, which is the soul of a person who gains wealth and success;
Karma, is to find pleasure;
Reincarnation; and
Moksha is the ultimate goal of life. Moksha is the union of Atman and Brahman which comes from having gained enlightenment.

6. Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)
The caste system is a system of social organization, or rankings in society, found in India and is connected with Hinduism. Basically, you are born into a certain ‘level’ of society which is largely based on your profession. The castes, or levels are:
Brahmins, the teachers/priests;
Kshastriyas, the soldiers;
Vaishyas, the skilled workers;
Shudras, the manual laborers; and
Dalits, people who are outside the caste system and considered “untouchable,” or undesirable.

7. Hinduism (Basic Beliefs)
The caste system led to discrimination in India and it has been outlawed, but some people still believe in it and practice it.
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8. Buddhism
Buddhism is related to Hinduism and shares many of the same basic beliefs. The relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism is similar to the relationship between Christianity and Judaism.

9. Buddhism (Basic Beliefs)
Like the Hindus, Buddhists believe in karma and reincarnation.

10. Buddhism
Buddhism was founded by a man named Siddhartha who was born around B.C. in Nepal.
The religion quickly spread to other parts of Asia and, for a time, was a major religion there. However, most people in India today are Hindus.

11. Buddhism (Basic Beliefs)
Within Buddhism, there are four noble truths:
Life is suffering
Suffering is caused by want or desire
There is a way to end suffering
The way to end suffering is the eightfold path

12. The Dharma Wheel is the oldest known symbol for Buddhism, with the eight spokes symbolizing the eightfold path.

13. Buddhism
Although begun in Nepal, Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Within the continent of Asia, Buddhism is also practiced in China, Korea, and Japan.

14. Taosim
Taosim is a religion or philosophy that began in China around B.C.
Tradition says that Taoism is based on the teachings of Laozi.
The Tao Te Ching is a collection of Laozi’s teachings.

15. Taoism
The Tao is called the Great Mother Empty yet inexhaustible; it gives birth to infinite worlds. It is always present within you and you can use it any way you want.

16. Within the philosophy of Taoism is the Yin-Yang Symbol
Within the philosophy of Taoism is the Yin-Yang Symbol. Yin-Yang does not signify evil and good in Taoism, as many believe, but instead shows the interconnectivity between opposing forces.

17. Confuciansim
Like Taoism, Confucianism is a philosophy that also began in China around B.C. Confucianism is based on the teachings of Confucius and is mainly concerned with social organization. It emphasizes respect for elders and education.
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18. Shintoism Shintoism is a native religion of Japan.
Shintos worship kami (spirits). Sometimes kami live in specific places such as rivers, mountains, and lakes, and sometimes they are major natural objects such as the sun or moon.

19. Small Shinto Shrine

20. The Torii is one symbol that usually helps identify Shinto shrines, although a smaller and similar version may also be found at the entrance of Buddhist temples. The Torii gate symbolizes the passageway from the profane to the sacred.

21. Tanuki - A Japanese Racoon Spirit

22. Tanuki Road Sign

23. Islam
Islam started in Saudi Arabia, or southwest Asia, around 600 A.D. and it spread into parts of south, southeast, and east Asia. Countries in Asia that are predominantly Muslim are:
A. Indonesia**
B. Pakistan
C. Bangladesh
**Indonesia contains the largest Muslim population in the world

24. Christianity
Christianity was brought to Asia by Europeans who colonized parts of Asia and controlled some countries.
The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic.
There are many Catholics in Vietnam and East Timor.

25. Respect for Ancestors
Many Asian cultures venerate and even worship ancestors. This belief has been incorporated into Asian religions and belief systems.

26. Conflicts
India and Pakistan both claim a region called the Kashmir. Kashmir has both a Muslim and Hindu population, with Pakistan wanting all of Kashmir for the Muslims and India wanting all of Kashmir for the Hindi.
East Timor is a small country in Southeast Asia that was created in It used to be part of Indonesia but most people in East Timor are Catholic. The source of this conflict is based on cultural differences.

29. Population and Timeline for Abrahamic and Asian religions
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