1. Asia: An Introduction

2. Why study Asia? Prepare for life in the 21st Century Globalization
World Economy, communications
Regional issues - human rights, stability
Understand religion/thought process
Remove stereotypes
Acknowledge contributions of all cultures
YOUR responsibility to learn this…it is the world you’re stepping into!

3. Overview and Objectives
Know geographic locations of Japan, Korea, China, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
Know major religions
Know main ethnic groups
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 3

4. Warm-Up Questions
CPS Questions (1 - 2)
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 4

5. Questions Think about some of the favorite foods at
your home, or in your community.
Where do they come from?
How many different parts of the world are represented in all the foods you eat in a week?
(Note to teacher: Use “Pick a Student” in CPS)
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 5

6. Activity 1: Geographic Locations in Asia
(Break up into 3 Groups)
5 Mins: Identify as many countries & bodies of water in East Asia and South Asia w/o looking in book
(Using classroom map) complete the rest
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 6

7. A Geographical Overview
Himalayas?
East India?
West India?
Highly populated Travels to South Korea, Japan, Okinawa
Chapter 2, Lesson 1

8. Major Religions of Asia
Confucianism
Taoism
Shintoism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Zoroastrianism
Sikhism
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 8

9. Activity 2: Comparing Major Religions of Asia (Pages 134-140)
Confucianism
Taoism
Shintoism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Zoroastrianism
Sikhism
7 Groups
5 Mins
Answer blocks for your assigned religion
Share w/ group
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 9

10. Confucianism Confucius Chinese philosopher (551-479 BC)
6.3 million followers
Religion?
School of thought
No sacred writings, priesthood, doctrine of afterlife
“Tian” (heaven) aligned w/ moral order but depends on humans to carry it out
“Li” - ritual proper behaviors - way family, state, & world come into alignment with Tian

11. Taoism No god or omnipotent being Began in China about 2,000 yrs ago
2.7 million followers
Man's relationship to nature & the universe
No god or omnipotent being
Tao means "path" or "way" to lead to a virtuous life in
harmony w/ nature
Connection b/w physical actions & spiritual effects
Values exercises such as:
Tai chi chuan – (tahy jee chwahn) – (video)
Qigong (CHEE-gong) – (video)
Yoga, meditation, martial arts

12. Taoism “Yin / Yang” Yin Yang Primal opposing but complementary
forces found in all things in the universe
- dark, passive, downward, cold, contracting, weak
- bright, active, upward, hot, expanding, strong
Yin
Yang

13. Creative thought & Conclusions…
What common theme do you see among Confucianism & Taoism?
Don’t believe in a God,
Harmony, spirituality, connection w/ nature
Moral character, virtues
Knowing this, how would you expect a Confucian or Taoist to behave?
Someone you can trust, calm, harmonious?
Is this a stereotype?
Chapter 2, Lesson 1

14. Shintoism Japanese 2.7 million followers
“kami” - Invisible spiritual beings & powers
- not gods, but spirits (want people to be happy)
Use shrines/rituals to communicate with kami
No founder, major scriptures, creed, religious or ethical laws
No division of “this world” and a “supernatural world”
No concept of heaven (or afterlife)

15. Hinduism India Orig in 3000 BC! Indus Valley, Pakistan
Now found mostly in
India
No single doctrine, but embrace:
Brahma
Universal eternal soul, who created all is omnipresent
Reincarnation
Belief that souls are born over & over again until they merge with Brahman
Everything in universe is
somehow unified
Brahma

16. Buddhism Originated 2,500 years ago 375 million followers
Siddartha Gautama - 6th century BC
(sid-dart-ah Gow-tah-mah)
Indian prince deeply troubled by human suffering (poverty, disease, age, death)
Abandoned privileged life to become wandering monk
Sought way to end all suffering
After many years of meditation, awakened to the truth
Became known as
Teach others how to reach “Nirvana”
Overcome suffering & reach personal enlightenment/liberation
the Buddha, or “Enlightened One”

17. The Buddha's Eightfold Path:
1) Right Understanding of 4 Noble Truths
2) Right thinking following right path in life
3) Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language
4) Right conduct following the 5 Precepts:
1. Abstain from harming living beings
2. Abstain from stealing
3. Abstain from sexual misconduct
4. Abstain from false speech
Abstain from intoxicating drinks/drugs
Connection?

18. The Buddha's Eightfold Path (Continued):
5) Right livelihood: support yourself without harming others
6) Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts
7) Right Mindfulness: become aware of your body, mind and feelings
8) Right Concentration: meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness

19. Zoroastrianism (zawr-oh-as-tree-uh-niz-uhm)
Founded about 3,500 yrs ago
Iranian prophet - Zoroaster, or Zarathustra
Religion of ancient Persian Empire, now one of world’s smallest major religions
Monotheistic - “Ahura Mazda” (Wise Lord)
God of goodness & light - created world
Believe fire represents God’s
light or wisdom
Connection?
Sound Byte

20. Sikhism (see-kiz-uhm)
20 million followers around world
Most in Indian state of Punjab
Guru Nanak founded Sikhism in 16th century
Believe all Gurus possessed divinity
Monotheistic
Focuses on individual
“internal religious state”
Pursue salvation thru disciplined
meditation on God & his message

21. Learning Check
CPS Questions (3 - 10)
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 21

22. Main Ethnic Groups of Asia
East Asians:
Largest size/economy
Chinese
2nd largest economy & most homogeneous
Japanese
Koreans - North/South very different
Vietnamese
Chapter 2, Lesson 1
Melanie Stetson Freeman / © 2002 The Christian Science Monitor 22

23. Main Ethnic Groups of Asia
Indo-Europeans:
Related to Latin, Germanic, or Slavic languages of Europe
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Parts of Afghanistan

24. Main Ethnic Groups of Asia
Dravidians:
Mostly South Asia
Southern India
Sri Lanka
Parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh

25. Main Ethnic Groups of Asia
Turkic Peoples (About 30 different languages)
Turks of Turkey
Azerbaijanis
Kazakhs (Kaa zaaks)
Kyrgyz (Keergs)
Uzbeks
(Uzbekistan, Afghanistan)
Uighurs - Western China (wē-goors)
Turkmens 25

26. The Main Ethnic Groups of Asia
Malay Speaking People:
Malays
Indonesians
Filipinos
Other Islanders
Papua New Guinea:
100s of different ethnic groups

27. Learning Check CPS Questions (11-13)
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 27

28. Summary
Geographic locations of Japan, Korea, China, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
Major religions
Main ethnic groups
Chapter 2, Lesson 1 28