Southern and Eastern Asia Today

Unit 5

WORLD RELIGIONS and Ethnic Groups

Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam,

Shinto, Confucianism

GPS• GPS: SS7G12 The student will analyze the

diverse cultures of the people who live in Southern and Eastern Asia.– A. Explain the differences between an ethnic

group and a religious group.– B. Compare and contrast the prominent

religions in Southern and Eastern Asia: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism, and the philosophy of Confucianism.

– C. Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living.

E.Q.How do the cultures of Southern and Eastern

Asia differ?

Ethnic GroupShares cultural ideas and beliefs that have

been a part of their community for generations.

May include:LanguageReligion, historyTypes of foodsSet of traditional stories, beliefs, or

celebrations

Religious GroupShares a belief system in a god or gods, with

a specific set of rituals and literature.

People from different ethnic groups may share the same religion, though they may be from very different cultures.

Which describes an ethnic group?

A. people that like to grow food

B. people that like to read books

C. people who share the same religious beliefs

D. people with a shared language, religion, or culture

Which describes a religious group?

A. people that like to grow food

B. people that like to read books

C. people who share the same religious beliefs

D. people with a shared language, religion, or culture

Religion in South KoreaWhat % of the people in South Korea are Buddhists?A.1.3%B.23.2%C.26.3%D.49.3%

VocabularyReincarnation: when a person dies, his soul

enters the body of another being

Polytheism: belief in many gods

Monotheism: belief in one god

Atheism: belief in no god

Karma: your actions determine your fate

Caste system: belief that social class is inherited and does not change throughout a person’s life

Nirvana: state of perfect peace

Kami: divine spirits who live in nature

Buddhismbegan in India about 520 B.C.

4th largest religion

Found everywhere but mostly in SE Asia

Founder: rich young man, Siddharta Gautama, who was upset by the poverty & suffering around him

After many years of thinking about it, he decided people could find peace if they rejected greed and desire.

Called Buddha (The Enlightened One) by his followers

Unselfishness is the key to everything

Buddhist BeliefsAtheistic: belief in no god – man alone

can change evil into good ReincarnationKarma4 Noble TruthsMiddle WayNirvana

4 Noble Truths Middle Way (8 Fold Path)Life brings painSuffering & sorrow are

usually caused by greed and desire for material things

Nirvana is reached by giving up greedy desires

Follow the Middle Way to achieve Nirvana

Try to recognize the truth

Try to avoid evil actions & bad people

Do not say things that hurt others

Respect other people & their belongings

Choose a job that does no harm to others

Do not think evil thoughts

Avoid excitement or anger

Work at meditation

Hinduism1 of oldest religions in

the world

Began in India; main religion there

3rd largest religion in the world

4 holy books are called Vedas

Hindu BeliefsPolytheistic: worship many gods

who are all part of the supreme being, Brahman

Cows are sacred.

All living beings have souls

Reincarnation If a person was good, the next life

is better; if he was bad, the next life is worse.

The soul is reincarnated until the life it lives is good enough to be united with Brahman.

Karma

Hinduism: Beliefs

• Reincarnation

the soul does not die with the body but enters the body of another being

The type of life a person leads determines what next life will be like.

The soul is reincarnated over and over till the life it lives is good enough for it to be united with Brahman.

Belief that social class is inherited and does not change throughout a person’s life.

Each caste had its own specific place in

society.  They socialized, ate, married, worked, and worshipped within their own caste.  They would NEVER consider marrying or working outside their caste.

The only way to move to a higher caste is to be reincarnated into one.

Caste System

Caste System ContinuedThere are four main

castes:1. Brahmans – priests &

wise men2. Kshtriyas – warriors,

rulers3. Vaisyas – merchants,

traders, and small farmers

4. Sudras – peasants, field workers

5. Dalit – untouchables, who do the work no one else will do

IslamBegan in Arabian Peninsula in 7th century

AD (600s)Founder: MuhammadMonotheistic2nd largest religion in the worldHoly Book: QuranSpread to India in 1500s AD with Muslim

armies who established the Mogul Empire.

Ruled India for almost 200 yearsMuslim conquerors treated Hindus as

conquered people and introduced them to Islam

Islamic BeliefsDo not accept the caste systemDo not believe cows are sacredFew eat pork5 PILLARS OF ISLAM

Profess faith: there is only 1 god, Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger

Pray 5 times a day facing MeccaGive charity (alms) to the poorFast during the holy month of RamadanMake a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca at least

once in your life

Few People Cheer For Pizza

THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM‘IMAN’ or FAITH‘SALAT’ or PRAYER‘ZAKAT’ or CHARITY‘SAIJ’ or FASTING‘HAJJ’ or PILGRIMAGE

ShintoismEarliest religion in JapanMeans “way of the gods”Once was state religion, but not nowStill widely honored among the Japanese

Shinto BeliefsKami are believed to live in beautiful

places, animals, and as people’s ancestors

The beautiful places (special mountains and rivers) are sacred

Cleanliness is a virtueNo strong belief in life after deathNature worship – Japanese create small

beautiful peaceful gardensFollowers offer prayers to kami at small

altars for blessings and protection

神

Confucianism

Began in China about 550 BCFounder: Confucius – important Chinese

scholar & teacherNot a religion - a system based on good

deeds and moralityThe Chinese emperor hired Confucian

scholars in 121 BC to help organize his government.

Confucianism influenced Chinese government for almost 2000 years.

Confucian BeliefsKey to peace and order is for people to

behave with good character and virtueWhat you do not like when done to yourself,

do not unto others: Golden Rule of Behavior

5 Basic RelationshipsRuler and subjectFather and sonHusband and wifeOlder brother and younger brotherFriend and friendIf each relationship is based on kindness, there will be peace and harmony in the country.

South KoreaEthnic Groups: homogeneous

(except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Religions: Christian 26.3%, Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3%

North KoreaEthnic Groups: almost all Korean;

there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese

Religions: traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and Religion of the Heavenly Way

ChinaEthnic Groups: Han Chinese 91.5%,

Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uighur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5%

Religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% (officially atheist)

IndiaEthnic Groups: Indo-Aryan 72%,

Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3%

Religions: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1%

IndonesiaEthnic Groups: Javanese 40.6%,

Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9%

Religions: Muslim 86.1%, Christian 8.7%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4%

JapanEthnic Groups: Japanese 98.5%,

Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6%

Religions: Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8%

note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people belong to both Shintoism and Buddhism

Vietnam

Ethnic Groups: Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1%

Religions: Buddhist 9.3%, Christian 7.2%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8%

Literacy and Standard of LivingLiteracy affects the standard of

living.Lack of education limits job choices.Many countries only make education

available to people who can pay for it.

GDP (gross domestic product)is 1 way to measure the standard of living.

ContrastsHigher rates of literacy are usually found

in wealthier countries.Some SE Asian countries have weak

economies but very high literacy rates.China and North Korea have strong state-

run systems that require attendance through a certain age.

China has some of the richest and poorest people in Eastern Asia.

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152430. Which of these religions is considered

one of the oldest in the world?

A. IslamB. ShintoismC. HinduismD. Confucianism

C. Hinduism

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152431. What is the name of the Hindu sacred

text?

A. VedasB. QuranC. Middle WayD. Four Noble Truths

A. Vedas

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152432. What is the Hindu belief in

reincarnation?

A. The belief that there is only one godB. The worship of the cow as a sacred

animalC. The belief that men should treat each

other with kindnessD. The belief that a soul returns to life in

another body after death

D. The belief that a soul returns to life in another body after death

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152433. What is the Hindu belief in Karma?

A. That one’s actions determine one’s fateB. That man should worship only one godC. That children should always obey their

parentsD. That a woman should always wear a

head scarf when she goes out of the house

A. That one’s actions determine one’s fate

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152434. How long do Hindus believe a soul will be

reincarnated?

A. Reincarnation happens only once to each soul.B. A soul is reincarnated forever and there is no

end.C. A soul is reincarnated for as long as it chooses

to be.D. It will be reincarnated until the soul lives a life

good enough to be united with Brahman.

D. It will be reincarnated until the soul lives a life good enough to be united with Brahman.

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152435. What is the caste system?

A. The name of the Hindu priesthoodB. The belief that social class is hereditary

(inherited)C. The voting system used in the

Southeastern electionsD. The name of the way labor in India is

divided between men and women

B. The belief that social class is hereditary (inherited)

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152436. Where was the religion of Buddhism

founded?

A. IndiaB. ChinaC. JapanD. Vietnam

A. India

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152437. Who was the founder of Buddhism?

A. JesusB. ConfuciusC. MuhammadD. Siddharta Gautama

D. Siddharta Gautama

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152438. What does “Buddha” mean?

A. Middle WayB. Glorified OneC. Enlightened OneD. Four Noble Truths

C. Enlightened One

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152439. What do Buddhists believe people

need to do to be happy and find peace?

A. They are to live their lives as vegetarians.

B. They are to accept the belief in only one god.

C. They are to give up greed and greedy desires.

D. They are to live quietly in the caste system.

C. They are to give up greed and greedy desires.

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152440. What Buddhist teaching shows its

followers the correct way to live their lives?

A. The BibleB. The QuranC. The Five PillarsD. The Middle Way

D. The Middle Way

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152441. How did the first Muslims come to Southern

and Eastern Asia?

A. Muslim invaders entered India in the 1500s AD.B. The first Muslim armies invaded Japan in the

1400s AD.C. The earliest Muslims first came to China as

traders in the 1200s AD.D. The first Muslims were invited into India

because the people there wanted a new government.

A. Muslim invaders entered India in the 1500s AD.

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152442. What are the Five Pillars?

A. Basic beliefs of IslamB. Rules of the caste systemC. Standard form of Muslim architectureD. Beliefs that Muslims and Hindus have

in common

A. Basic beliefs of Islam

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152443. What is the name of the Muslim holy

book?

A. BibleB. VedasC. QuranD. Middle Way

C. Quran

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152444. Islam is considered a monotheistic

religion because its followers believe in

A. Many godsB. Only one godC. ReincarnationD. Natural objects

B. Only one god

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152445. In which country was Shintoism

founded?

A. IndiaB. ChinaC. JapanD. Vietnam

C. Japan

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152446. What are the kami that are so important in

Shinto belief?

A. They are religious writings of Shinto priests.B. They are the elected leaders of the Shinto

communities.C. The people who convert to Shintoism are

referred to as kami.D. They are spirits that followers of Shinto believe

exist in all things around them.

D. They are spirits that followers of Shinto believe exist in all things around them.

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152447. How do believers of Shinto practice

their religion?

A. They pray at small altars in their homes.B. They attend churches once a week to

worship in a group.C. They must make a pilgrimage to Mecca

once in their lifetime.D. They divide society into castes and work

to limit contact between castes.

A. They pray at small altars in their homes.

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152448. In which country was Confucianism

founded?

A. ChinaB. IndiaC. JapanD. North Korea

A. China

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152449. What did Confucius believe were the

keys to social order and peace?

A. Strict caste systemB. To worship only one godC. Ruler who could keep orderD. Good character and virtue in the people

D. Good character and virtue in the people

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152450. Which is Confucius’ Golden Rule?

A. “All men are created equal.”B. “Health makes one wealthy and wise.”C. “There is no God, but the one true God.”D. “What you do not like when done to you,

do not to others.”

D. “What you do not like when done to you, do not to others.”

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152451. How did Confucianism come to play an

important role in Chinese society?

A. Confucianism has replaced all other religions in China.

B. Confucian philosophy had little effect on Chinese society until the 20th century.

C. Confucius led an army to take over the Chinese government during his lifetime.

D. A Chinese emperor hired Confucian scholars in 121 BC to help organize his government.

D. A Chinese emperor hired Confucian scholars in 121 BC to help organize his government.

CRCT Test Prep pages 149-152452. Why is Confucianism considered a philosophy

instead of a religion?

A. Confucius only believed in one god.B. No religion is allowed by the Chinese

government today.C. Confucius never wrote any of his ideas down for

his followers.D. His teachings are more about ethics and

behavior than about religious ideas.

D. His teachings are more about ethics and behavior than about religious ideas.

World Religions

SummaryWrite 2 paragraphs.

In the first paragraph, compare (alike) the 5 major belief systems of Southeast Asia.

In the 2nd paragraph, contrast (different) the 5 maor belief systems of Southeast Asia.

Caution: Be sure to refer to the belief systems by their names – don't’ write “One believes in one god, while another doesn’t believe in any.”