1. South Asia:
Religion

2. Cultural Hearth Early cultures developed along Indus River
Major religions emerged
Hinduism
Buddhism
Islam

3. Hinduism
Not just a religion- also determines social and economic elements
Hindu Religion
Major faith of India and Nepal
Forms of worship differ by region
Over 33,333 gods due to the different denominations
Complicated faith without a uniformly accepted belief system

4. Basic Hindu Beliefs Reincarnation
Living things have souls, upon death souls transfer into new living creature
Karma
Every action brings certain results
No escaping consequences of one’s actions
Dharma
Set of rules that need to be followed to be reincarnated up a caste

5. Buddhism Philosophy that began in India
Based on the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Objects to the harsh features of Hinduism based on caste
Focus on knowledge- esp. self knowledge
Eliminate worldly desires- peaceful
Goal to reach enlightenment- reincarnated until fully reached
Dhammapada- Way of Truth
Mostly considered a philosophy more than a religion, Buddhists are forbidden to worship any god, even buddha

6. All hardships and suffering comes from inappropriate desire
The Four Noble Truths
Life is difficult
All hardships and suffering comes from inappropriate desire
To avoid suffering, avoid inappropriate craving
To stop inappropriate craving, follow the Eightfold Noble Path.

7. The Eightfold Noble Path
Proper views
Proper aspirations
Proper speech
Proper conduct
Proper livelihood
Proper effort
Proper mindfulness
Proper meditation
Views- know 4 Truths
Aspirations- rid self of desire and avoid causing pain to others
Speech-tell truth
Conduct- no lying/stealing/cheating
Livelihood- earn living in non-harmful way
Effort- think positive
Mindfulness- be aware of thoughts/actions
Meditation- attain peaceful state of mind

8. Islam
Arrival of Islam
Around 700 A.D. Arab armies conquered lower Indus Valley
Mughal Empire, a powerful Muslim state, dominated
Conversion in northwest (Pakistan) and Northeast (Bangladesh) and island nations (Maldives/Sri Lanka)

9. Other Religions Jainism
Religion that emerged around 500 B.C. as protest to orthodox Hinduism
Stressed extreme non-violence
Sikhism
Faith incorporating elements of Hinduism and Islam
Monotheistic and believes in reincarnation
Originated in Punjab in 1400s
Sikh men noted for work as soldiers and bodyguards

10. Other Religions Zoroastrian
Ancient religion focusing on struggle between good and evil
Found in Mumbai area
Christians
British missionaries converted animists to Protestantism

11. Comparison of Hinduism and Islam
Hindus tend to be vegetarians (ahimsa and reincarnation beliefs foster this)
Cows are sacred animals
Believe in reincarnation
Brahman, if it is God, is an impersonal one
Follow caste system – no social or religious mobility within one lifetime
Formerly practiced sati (widow would throw herself on husband’s funeral pyre)
Muslims see Hindus as polytheistic infidels not to be tolerated
Muslims eat meat (cows) – not pork
Muslims are strict monotheists
Muslims believe in a personal God
Muslims reject the concept of castes – equality of believers
Reject reincarnation
Globalization & Diversity: Rowntree, Lewis, Price, Wyckoff