A 13th century
Cambodian statue of Lord
Vishnu, Oldest religion-icon of the world
(purple).
Eastern religion is a term used to refer to
religions originating in the
Eastern world —
India,
China,
Japan and
Southeast Asia —and thus have dissimilarities with
Western religions. This includes the
East Asian and
Indian religious traditions, as well as
animistic indigenous religions.
The terms Eastern and Western religion are largely synonymous with
Dharmic religion and
Abrahamic religion, respectively. However this East-West religious distinction, just as with the
East West culture distinction, and the implications that arise from it, are broad and not precise. Furthermore the geographical distinction has less meaning in the current context of global
transculturation.
While many
Western observers attempt to distinguish between
Eastern philosophies and religions, this is a distinction that does not exist in some Eastern traditions.
Indian Religions
Religions originating on the
Indian subcontinent include
Hinduism,
Buddhism,
Jainism, and
Sikhism. The theologies and philosophies of these religions have several concepts in common, such as
dharma ,
karma, and
samsara.
Hinduism
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
revealed and
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
, a treatise excerpted from the
, 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. 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.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a
dharmic, non-theistic religion and
philosophy. Buddhism was founded around the fifth century
BCE in India 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
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 and
Tibetan Buddhism. Buddhism teaches that someone who becomes
enlightened without instruction is a
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
The
Swastika is among the holiest of Jain symbols.
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
Vedas 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.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion which began in
Northern India. It is founded on the teachings of
Guru Nanak Dev and the nine
gurus that followed. He received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God in Sultanpur. His views rejected the traditional worships and caste of the Hinduism faith. 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
The group of
East Asian religions or philosophies share the concept of
Tao. They may be considered as forming a group within
world religions comparable to the "
Abrahamic" or "
Dharmic" groups. The "Taoic" faiths claim at least 500 million members worldwide.
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.
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.
Shinto
A Shinto priest kneeling before a shrine.
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.
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.
Confucianism
Statue of Confucius on Chongming Island in Shanghai
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.
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.
East Asian Buddhism
See also
