Eastern religion 2062976 213974703 2008-05-21T16:23:41Z Sardanaphalus 427947 updating link using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{Mergeto|Eastern philosophy|Talk:Eastern philosophy#Merger proposal|date=January 2008}} [[Image:Temple hindu1.jpg|thumb|right|270px|A Hindu temple in [[Sri Lanka]].]] '''Eastern religion''' is a group of [[religion]]s originating in [[Indian subcontinent|India]], [[China]], [[Japan]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. This includes the [[East Asian religions|East Asian]] and [[Indian religions|Indian]] religious traditions, as well as [[animism|animistic]] indigenous religions. While many [[Western culture|Western]] observers attempt to distinguish between [[philosophies]] and religions, this is a distinction that does not exist in some Eastern traditions.<ref>Morgan (2001). Pp 9-11.</ref> ==Indian Religions== {{details|Indian religions}} Religions originating on the [[Indian subcontinent]] include [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], and [[Sikhism]].<ref>York (2005). Pg 166.</ref> The theologies and philosophies of these religions have several concepts in common, such as ''[[dharma]]'' "natural law" or "duty", ''[[moksha]]'' "liberation" or ''[[yoga]]'' "asceticism". ===Hinduism=== {{main|Hinduism}} [[Image:Golden Aum.png|thumb|left|140px|[[Aum|OM]], a sacred syllable and a quintessential symbol of Hinduism]] Hinduism originated on the Indian subcontinent. It is considered by some to be the world's oldest extant religion. Hinduism contains a vast body of [[scripture]] divided as [[Śruti|revealed]] and [[smriti|remembered]] expounding on dharma, or religious living. Hindus consider the ''[[Vedas]]'' and the ''[[Upanishads]]'' as being among the foremost in authority, importance and antiquity. The ''[[Bhagavad Gita|{{IAST|Bhagavad Gītā}}]]'', a treatise excerpted from the ''{{IAST|Mahābhārata}}'', is sometimes called a summary of the spiritual teachings of the ''Vedas''. It is difficult to identify any universal belief or practice in Hinduism, although prominent themes include: ''[[Dharma]]'', ''[[Samsara]]'', ''[[Karma]]'', and ''[[Moksha]]''. Hinduism is sometimes called a [[polytheistic religion]], but this is an oversimplification. Hinduism includes a diverse collection of schools whose beliefs span [[monotheism]], [[polytheism]], [[pantheism]], [[monism]] and even [[Atheism in Hinduism|atheism]]. For instance, the [[Advaita Vedanta]] school holds that there is only one causal entity ([[Brahman]]), which manifests itself to humans in multiple forms, whereas traditions such as [[Vaishnavism]] and [[Shaivism]] worship [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] in a monotheistic sense. A number of scholars even consider the [[Samkhya]] school of thought to have atheistic leanings.<ref>Bhaskarananda (1994).<br />Weightman (1997). Pg 263.</ref> ===Buddhism=== [[Image:Buddha lantau.jpg|thumb|130px|right|The [[Tian Tan Buddha]] statue in [[Hong Kong]].]] {{main|Buddhism}} Buddhism is a [[Dharmic religions|dharmic]], non-theistic religion and [[philosophy]]. Buddhism was founded around the fifth century [[BCE]] by [[Siddhartha Gautama]], the Buddha, with the [[Four Noble Truths]] and the [[Eightfold Path]] as its central principles. According to the scriptures, the Four Noble Truths were revealed by the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] in his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The schools of Buddhism are typically divided into [[Theravada]] and [[Mahayana]]. In academic circles, Mahayana is further divided into [[East Asian Buddhism|East Asian]] and [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. Buddhism teaches that someone who becomes [[bodhi|enlightened]] without instruction is a [[Buddhahood|buddha]]. The primary goal of Buddhism is the liberation of the practitioner from [[samsara]]. Buddhists hold this to be the solution to the problem of suffering. ===Jainism=== [[Image:Swastik4.GIF|thumb|130px|right|The [[Swastika]] is among the holiest of Jain symbols.]] {{main|Jainism}} Jainism is the religion of the followers of [[Mahavir]]. He is said to be the 24th [[Tirthankara]], or the 24th in a line of teachers espousing Jain principles. Jains reject the [[Veda]]s and highlight the practice of austerity. Jain faith states that the [[jiva]], or soul, can escape the cycle of rebirth and death through strict ethical behavior. When nothing remains but the purity of the jiva, that person is called a [[jina]], or winner, which is the origin of the term Jain. Karma is viewed as an accumulation that burdens the soul, causing attachment and suffering. [[Ahimsa]], or non-violence, is central to Jain faith and practice. It is interpreted very strictly as prohibiting all forms of harm to other living beings. Due to this, Jainism requires a strict [[vegetarian]] lifestyle. ''Ahimsa'' also applies to speaking, as one's words can cause harm and suffering.<ref>Flood (1996). Pg 76.<br />Fisher (1997). Pp 116-117.<br />Rausch & Key (1993).</ref> ===Sikhism=== {{main|Sikhism}} [[Image:Khanda1.svg|left|80px]] Sikhism is a religion which began in [[Northern India]]. It is founded on the teachings of [[Guru Nanak Dev]] and the nine [[Sikh Gurus|gurus]] that followed. Salvation is tied to faith and a relationship with God. God is [[omnipresent]], infinite and without gender. Sikhs believe that prior to creation all that existed was God and his ''[[hukam]]'', or will. Sikhs also believe that there are many worlds on which God has created life. The [[Gurū Granth Sāhib]] are the central scriptures intended to preserve hymns and the teachings of the gurus. Rituals, religious ceremonies or empty worship are considered of little use and Sikhs are discouraged from fasting or going on pilgrimages. During later periods, especially those of increased organization within the faith, some ceremonies and rites did arise. Recitation of scripture is a central feature of Sikh practice. For example, the recitation of ''[[ardās]]'' is customary for Sikhs attending a temple. ==East Asian Religions== {{details|East Asian religions}} The group of [[East Asia]]n religions or philosophies share the concept of [[Tao]]. They may be considered as forming a group within [[world religion]]s<ref>Sharot (2001). Pp 71-72, 75-76.</ref> comparable to the "[[Abrahamic religion|Abrahamic]]" or "[[Dharmic religion|Dharmic]]" groups. The "Taoic" faiths claim at least 500 million members worldwide.<ref>[http://adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html Religious population statistics]. These statistics are limited and do not reflect the full population of Taoic adherents due to complexities in definition and polling.</ref> ===Taoism=== [[Image:Taoist priestess engaged in a ritual.PNG|thumb|200px|left|A Taoist priestess performing ritual.]] {{main|Taoism}} Taoism is a variety of related religious and philosophical traditions. Categorization of Taoist sects and movements is very controversial. Taoist propriety and ethics places an emphasis on the [[Three Jewels of the Tao]]; love, moderation, humility. Taoist theology focuses on doctrines of [[wu wei]] ("non-action"), spontaneity, [[humanism]], [[relativism]] and emptiness.<ref>Leaman (1999). Pg 111.<br />Slingerland (2003).<br />Sharot (2001). Pg 78.</ref> Most traditional Chinese Taoists are polytheistic. There are disagreements regarding the proper composition of this pantheon. Popular Taoism typically presents the [[Jade Emperor]] as the head [[deity]]. Intellectual, or "elite", Taoism usually presents [[Laozi]] and the [[Three Pure Ones]] at the top of the pantheon. Nature and ancestor spirits are common in popular Taoism. But this sort of [[shamanism]] is eschewed for an emphasis on [[internal alchemy]] among the "elite" Taoists. Tao itself is rarely an object of worship, being treated more like the Central Asian concept of [[atman]].<ref>Segal (2006). Pg 50. Maspero (1981). Pg 41. LaFargue (1994). Pg 283.</ref> ===Shinto=== [[Image:Priest at Dazaifu Tenmagu shrine 1.JPG|right|thumb|140px|A Shinto priest kneeling before a shrine.]] {{main|Shinto}} Shinto is an animistic [[folk religion]] from Japan. Shinto literally means "the way of the gods". Many Japanese Shintoists also identify themselves as Buddhists. Japanese [[Pure Land Buddhism]] is deeply intertwined with the Shinto faith. Shinto practitioners commonly affirm tradition, family, nature, cleanliness and ritual observation as core values. Taoic influence is significant in their beliefs about nature and self-mastery.<ref>Pilgrim (1999). Pg 1.<br />Sharot (2001). Pp. 161-162.<br />Ono (2004). Pp 97-99, 103-104.</ref> [[Ritual cleanliness]] is a central part of Shinto life. [[Shrines]] have a significant place in Shintoism, reflecting the animistic veneration of the [[kami]]. "Folk", or "popular", Shinto places an emphasis on shamanism, particularly [[divination]], [[spirit possession]] and [[faith healing]]. "Sect" Shinto is a diverse group including mountain-worshippers and Confucian Shintoists.<ref>Ono (2004). Pp 12, 51-52, 108.<br />Markham (2001). Pp 304-306.</ref> ===Confucianism=== [[Image:Confuciusstatue.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Statue of Confucius on Chongming Island in Shanghai]] {{main|Confucianism}} Confucianism is a complex system of moral, social, political, and religious thought, influential in the history of East Asia. It is commonly associated with [[legalism]] but it rejects legalism for [[ritualism]]. It also endorses [[meritocracy]] as the ideal of [[nobility]]. Confucianism has a complicated system governing duties and etiquette in relationships. Confucian ethics focus on familial duty, loyalty and humaneness.<ref>Smart (2000). Pp 66.<br />Yao (2000). pp 191-192<br />De Bary & Tu (1998). Pg 149.</ref> Confucianism tolerates the Chinese folk recognition of the existence of animistic spirits, [[ghosts]] and [[deities]]. It approves paying them proper respect, but at a more fundamental level encourages avoiding them. Confucian thought is notable as the framework upon which the syncretic [[Neo-Confucianism]] was built.<ref>Sharot (2001). Pp 46, 85.<br />Huang (1999). Pg 5.</ref> ===East Asian Buddhism=== {{main|Mahayana|Vajrayana|Zen|Chinese Buddhism|Korean Buddhism|Buddhism in Japan|Buddhism in Vietnam|}} {{see|Silk Road transmission of Buddhism}} ==See also== * [[Comparative religion]] * [[Chinese folk religion]] * [[Folk religion]] ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== * De Bary, William Theodore & Tu, Weiming. ''Confucianism and Human Rights''. Columbia University Press (1998). ISBN 0231109369. * Fisher, Mary Pat. ''Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths''. I.B. Taurus (1997). ISBN 1860641482. * Flood, Gavin D. ''An Introduction to Hinduism''. Cambridge University Press (1996). ISBN 0521433045. * Huang, Siu-chi. ''Essentials of Neo-Confucianism: Eight Major Philosophers of the Song and Ming Periods''. Greenwood Press (1999). ISBN 031326449X. * Leaman, Oliver. ''Key Concepts in Eastern Philosophy''. Routledge (1999). ISBN 0415173620. * LaFargue, Michael. ''Tao and Method: A Reasoned Approach to the Tao Te Ching''. SUNY Press (1994). ISBN 0791416011. * Markham, Ian S. & Ruparell, Tinu. ''Encountering Religion: an introduction to the religions of the world''. Blackwell Publishing (2001). ISBN 0631206744. * Maspero, Henri. Translated by Frank A. Kierman, Jr. ''Taoism and Chinese Religion''. University of Massachusetts (1981). * Morgan, Diane. ''The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion''. St. Martin's Griffin (2001). ISBN 1580631975. * Ono, Sakyo. ''Shinto: The Kami Way''. Tuttle Publishing (2004). ISBN 0804835578. * Pilgrim, Richard B. ''Buddhism and the Arts of Japan''. Columbia University Press (1999). ISBN 0231113471. * Rausch, Thomas P. & Chapple, Christopher Key. ''The College Student's Introduction to Theology''. Liturgical Press (1993). ISBN 0814658415. * Segal, Robert Alan. ''The Blackwell Companion to the Study of Religion''. Blackwell Publishing (2006). ISBN 0631232168. * Sharot, Stephen. ''A Comparative Sociology of World Religions: virtuosos, priests, and popular religion''. NYU Press (2001). ISBN 0814798055. * Slingerland, Edward Gilman. ''Effortless Action: Wu-Wei as Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China''. Oxford University Press (2003). ISBN 0195138996. * Smart, Ninian. ''World Philosophies''. Routledge UK (2000). ISBN 0415228522. * Swami Bhaskarananda. ''The Essentials of Hinduism''. Viveka Press (1994). ISBN 1884852025. * Weightman, Simon. Hinnells, John (ed). ''Handbook of Living Religions''. Penguin Books (1997). ISBN 0140514805. * Yao, Xinzhong. ''An Introduction to Confucianism''. Cambridge University Press (2000). ISBN 0521644305. * York, Michael. ''Pagan Theology: Paganism as a World Religion.'' NYU Press (2005). ISBN 0814797083. {{Belief systems}} {{Religion topics}} [[Category:Religion in Asia]] [[Category:Religious comparison]]