Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Islam, Confucianism

 One of the oldest religions of the world, origins date back about 5,000 years.  Aryans (nomadic tribe from the North) invaded what is now India around 1500 B.C. bringing with them the “Vedas” a collection of rituals and hymns or The Book of Knowledge.  Blending of the native people of modern India known as Dravidians and Aryans led to the developed of a new religion Hinduism.

 Polytheistic – belief in many gods, but Hindu’s believe all these gods are a part of a supreme spirit named Brahman.  Hindu’s believe all living things have souls – animals and people. Some animals like the cow are scared, so many Hindu’s are vegetarians (they do not eat meat)

 Belief that the soul does not die with the body but enters another body of another being, either a person or an animal.  Cycle of birth, death and rebirth.  Karma - belief that one’s action or deeds determines ones next life.

 Caste System – belief that social class is hereditary and is based on Karma from your previous life cycle.  The caste you are born into is the one you remain in for your entire life.  The only way to move to a higher caste is to move in your next life.

 Four main caste:  Brahmans – priest and wisemen  Kshtriyas - Warriors and rulers  Vaisyas – merchants, traders and small farmers  Sudras – peasants, field workers  Untouchables – who do the work no one else will – handle the dead, sewage etc.

 Japan’s earliest religion,  Shinto means “the way of the gods”  Shintoism centers on the reverence for the Kami, divine spirits that Shinto followers believe live in nature. The word “kami” means superior.

 These spirits are believed to live in beautiful places, animals, and a persons ancestors  Many Japanese believe some of the mountains and rivers of Japan are the homes of the Kami and those places are scared.

 Those who practice Shintoism offer prayers and perform rituals to honor and please the Kami, or spirits they feel are special. This religion does not stress life after death and has no written philosophy.

 Most Japanese households have an altar where the family will offer prayers to the spirits for protection and blessings  Worship of nature has led to the creation of small beautiful gardens for quiet and reflection.

 Shintoism was once the state religion of Japan but now the dominate religion is Buddhism.  Shintoism is still practiced among the Japanese along with Buddhism today.

 People usually visit a shrine either a home, a local or a national shrine to mark special events or celebrate holidays.  They write prayers on cards and tie them to a tree at the shrine for the kami to grant their wishes

 Been to a place in nature that has given you a special feeling (mountain top, water fall)? Describe that feeling  Found a rock, leaf, a seashell or other natural object you wanted to keep? Describe that object  Seen or been close to an animal that seemed to be trying to say something? Describe  Answer these questions as a TOTD on your own paper.