This document provides an overview of several major religions of South and East Asia, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Confucianism. It describes the origins, core beliefs, practices, and geographic regions where each religion is commonly practiced. Key details are provided about the sacred texts, concepts of reincarnation and the afterlife, and moral or ethical principles central to each faith.

1. Religions
of
South/East Asia

2.  Hinduism
 Islam
 Buddhism
 Shintoism
 Confucianism

3. Hinduism
 One of the oldest religions in the world
 Founded in India
 Polytheistic
 Sacred text is called Vedas
 Believe in karma- good or bad behavior
 Believe in reincarnation-a cycle of birth and
rebirth, where one’s behavior in the present
life determines what one becomes in the next
life
 Live by a caste system that divides people
into social classes 1. Brahmans (priests)
2. Kashatriyas (soldiers)
3.Vaishyas (merchants) 4. Shudras (laborers)
Untouchables (Pariahs)

4. Islam
 Founded in the Middle East by the prophet
Muhammad
 Monotheistic and follow the teachings of the
Quran
 Two main divisions: Sunni and Shia
 Follow the Five Pillars of Islam:
1. Only one God, Muhammad is his prophet
2. Pray 5 times a day in the direction of Mecca
3. Charity to the poor/needy
4. Fast during the holy month of Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person’s
lifetime

5. Buddhism
 Founded in India by a man named Siddhartha
Gautama also called the “Buddha” or
“Enlightened One”
 Practiced primarily in Western part of China and
Mongolia
 Follow the Four noble truths:
1)life is full of suffering
2)suffering is caused by attachments
3)rid yourself of attachments to end suffering
(reach Nirvana-a state of perfect peace)
4)loose attachments by following eightfold path
(middle way)

6. Buddhism cont’d
 Holy book is the Tripitaka
 Worship Buddha rather than a god
 Ultimate goal is to reach Nirvana or a state of
happiness and peace
 Meditate to reach Nirvana
 Believe in reincarnation

7. Shintoism
 Japanese meaning: “the way of the gods”
 Teaches that supernatural beings, called kami,
live in all objects and forces of nature.
 founded in Japan
 Many Shinto build shrines and worship their
ancestors who they believe became kami

8. Confucianism
 Developed by Confucius
 Founded in China
 Based the belief that the keys to social order and
peace are good character and virtue in people
 Golden Rule of Behavior: “What you do not like when
done unto yourself, do not unto others”
 Beliefs based on harmony, stability, hierarchy, and
authority
 Considered a philosophy instead of a religion because
his teachings are more about ethics and behavior than
about religious ideas
 Practiced primarily in Eastern China