RELIGION OF ASIAN COUNTRIES Buddhism Siddharta Gautama Buddha Taoism Lotus flower Symbols of Taoism Lao Tzu Confucius

Hinduism Skanda Rama Sita Krishna Arjuna Nataraja Murali Krishna Lord Shiva Vishnu Vishnu Veda Shiva Ganesh Lakhsmi Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma Vishnu Brahma Krishna

Reincarnation Sacred Cow Caste System in Hinduism Sadhu Ganesh n 1966, the Supreme Court of India defined what Hinduism is for legal purposes: 1. Belief in the authority of the Vedas (an ancient collection of hymns to the gods, written in Sanskrit). The oldest collection of hymns in the Vedas is the Rig Veda, which was written between 1800 and 1300 B.C. The greatest Veda hymn is the Bhagavat Gita, a section in the Mahabharata concerning lifes never-ending spiritual journey towards perfection. Bhagavat Geeta is rendered as a dialogue between Shri Krishna (incarnation of Vishnu) and Arjuna (the great archer) in the middle of the battlefield. 2. Spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and respect an opponents view. 3. Belief in world rhythms: long periods of creation, maintenance and dissolution follow each other in endless succession. 4. Belief in reincarnation (rebirth) and preexistence. 5. Belief that there are many ways to salvation. 6. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism is not defined by a specific set of philosophical concepts. 7. Belief in one god. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not a polytheistic religion. The Vedas, the primary Hindu holy scriptures states that there is only one God but can manifest in many forms. This is the reason why there are many deities. A common example used to explain this is that an individual can be called different names depending on the relationship has with another. A man can be a son to his parents, a nephew to his uncle, a father to his son, and a husband to his wife all at the same time. None of these different relationships suggest multiple people but rather different aspects of one person. The same is applied to God in Hinduism, which has no form and is infinite. Hindus may call God, Paratman (Supreme Soul), Brahmana (Eternal Spirit), or Ishvara (Supreme Lord). Deities have various names but represent aspects of God that manifest in the world. For example Agni (fire, Divine spark), Vayu (wind, or breath which could mean life force, Indra (in mythology king of gods but also refers to the senses such as vision, hearing, touch, taste), and Lakshmi (fortune). 8. Secular multiplicity and accommodating flexibility in spiritual practices.

Relations between Hinduism and Christianity have also been shaped by unequal balances of political power and cultural influence. Although communities of Christians have lived in South India since the middle of the 1st millennium, the great expansion of Indian Christianity followed the efforts of missionaries working under the protection of the British colonial government. [5] Some state governments such as Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion laws, attempting to prevent Hindus from being forced or coerced into converting to other religions such as Islam and Christianity.[6] Mahavira Karnatka Jain temple Members of Jainism Jains are vegetarians Jainism-Keval Jains in other parts of the world Jain temple Jain symbols Centers of Jainism Shintoism Shintoism-way of the gods Amaterasu Belief of Nature She-Shintoism Shinto priest Shinto Temple Shinto believers Shintoism is about purity Believers of judaism

Jew Hand signals in Judaism Jewish temple Typical Jewish believer Stars of Judaism Typical food of Jewish believers Center of Judaism Wedding ceremony Western wall- holy Place Menora Kaaba Islam Mosque The Five Pillars of Islam Islam believers Islam believers Islamic art Five Pillars Zoroastrianism Fire the provider of light Zoroastrianism does not believe in reincarnation Zarahustra-founder Temple Zoroaster fire chamber Sadeh Zoroaster

Symbols of religion Zoroaster Parsi Wedding Religion of Asian countries: A. Hinduism: Introduced by the Aryans 1500 BCE Gods: a. Brahma- Priest/ scholars b. Kshatriyas- leaders/ warriors c. Vaishya- Farmers/ Artisans/Traders d. Sudra- Workers/slaves Untouchables- outcast/Pariah BELIEFS: 1. reincarnation 2. Karma 3. moksha 4. Nirvana 5. worship of nature 6. Pantheism 7. sacredness of the cow B. Buddhism 6th century BCE Founder- Siddharta Gautama Buddha Son of wealthy rajah or king in Kapilavasta/ Nepal

He meditated for 49 days under a Bodhi Tree- tree of wisdom. Experienced enlightenment. Teachings/Beliefs 1. Karma; 2. Reincarnation 3. Four Noble Truth 4. Noble 8 Fold path 5. Nirvana TRIPITAKA- 3 baskets- collection of Buddhist writings Spread of Buddhism 1. Hinayana- SEA, Sri Lanka, India 2. Mahayana- belief in BodhisatvaTibet, Japan, China 3. Zen Buddhism- Buddhist movement- Japanese word Zazen which means to sit and meditate

C. JAINISM Founder: Vardhamana or Mahavira Meditated under a sala tree Beliefs and teachings 1. kevala- Enlightenment through right conduct 2. Karma 3. reincarnation 4. abhorring bad conduct, resorted in anger, desire, boastfulness and deceit 5. use of force is forbidden 6. stress on peaceful action or ahimsa. 7. all life is considered sacred

8. forbidden to eat meat and diet is strictly vegetarian.

D. Sikhism. It foster brotherhood Founded by BABA NANAK known as Guru Nanak the first guru of Sikhism. GURU- means the descent of divine guidance to mankind through the 10 enlightened masters. GURU GRANTH- Sacred book of Sikhism NIRANKAR or formless God of the SIKH AKAL or Eternal another name for God, Creator, sustainer, destroyer. BELIEFS: 1. God cannot be understood by men because God is not mortal but through his revelation and creation GOD is everywhere. 2. Prime goal of man is to destroy the cycle of birth and rebirth and be united with GOD and can be done by following the teachings of the GURU If the person overcomes the FIVE VICES- SEXUAL DESIRE, ANGER, GREED, PRIDE, HEDONISM F. JUDAISM Religion of the Jews- Israelites a monotheistic religion belief in one God or Yahweh TORAH-It means law and teachings. first five books of the Old Testament. 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers 5. Deuteronomy

PATRIARCHS OF JEWS

1. Abraham 2. Isaac 3. Jacob 4. Moses TEACHINGS: TEN COMMANDMENTS: 1. Love God above all 2. Do not use the word of God in Vain 3. Keep the Sabbath day holy 4. Honor thy Father and Mother 5. Thou shall not kill 6. Thou shall not commit adultery 7. Thou shall not steal 8. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor 9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbors wife 10. Thou shall not covet thy neighbors goods

DIFFERENCE between Judaism and Christianity Christ : The Jews do not believe that Jesus is their lord and savior The Christians believe that Jesus I Lord and redeemer.

G. ISLAM It means Peace or Surrender ALLAH- God of the Muslims- believers KORAN- sacred Book of the Moslems

MUHAMMAD- founder MECCA place of meditation SUNNAH or HADITH_ prophetic tradition QURAN KORAN- comprises the divine words of ALLAH as guidance for mankind HEGIRA- flight of Muhammad from MECCA to MEDINA BLACK STONE- found inside the KAABA became the foundation and center of Islam.

DOCTRINE OF ISLAM IS BASED ON THE FIVE PILLARS 1. Shahada- There is only but one GOD- ALLAH.Muhammad is his prophet 2. Salat- praying 5x a day- morning, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening 3. Zakat- being charitable. People should help those in need. 4. Sawn- The Ramadan or remembrance of the Holy month. One month of prayer from sunrise to sundown 5. Hadji- The pilgrimage to Mecca

H. CHRISTIANITY Jesus- the founder First Century CE- date Holy Bible- sacred book (Old and New Testament) Beliefs: 1. Jesus Christ- Son of GOD 2. GOD sent Christ into the world Born in Bethlehem 3. God has personal presence everywhere

4. Belief in life after death 5. love for others 6. Sacraments I. ZOROASTRIANISM ZARAHUSTRA- also called ZOROASTER AHURA MAZDA- one GOD, creator and sustainer of the world ZEND AVESTA- sacred book Dualistic religion- belief that the world is afight between 2 forces Good and Bad

God of Goodness- Ahura Mazda God of Evil- Angra Maingu or Ahriman

FIGHT EVIL BY DOING GOOD.