Religions of East Asia
Table of Contents
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* What is Religion?
* Religion or Philosophy?
* Religions of East Asia
* A Blending of Those
Religions
* Map and Timeline
of Religions in
East Asia
* Fact Pages
* Links for Research
and Exploration
* Classroom and
Online Activities
Introduction
According to Webster's Dictionary, religion can be defined as "belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe" or "a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices."
The United Religions Initiative tackles this question here.
What is Religion?
Can a religion also be a philosophy?
The sets of beliefs described here will be referred to as religions, philosophies, or both. You may question the difference. One explanation is that religion answers the fundamental questions of existence through traditional beliefs handed down or from exalted leaders who received revelations from God. Philosophy, on the other hand, seeks to answer life's ultimate questions through deep thinking, reasoning, and debate.
Religions of East Asia
Buddhism:
Taoism:
Shinto:
Confucianism:
The great missionary religion developed from the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama (6th century BCE). and spread from India (now Nepal) into Southeast Asia, later expanding into northern Asia, China, Korea, and Japan.
Source: Descriptions from Eerdmans' Handbook to The World's Religions and The Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions
Also spelled Daoism, this Chinese philosophy outlined in the Tao Te Ching was written by Laozi /Lao-Tzu or his followers. Its aim is to achieve harmony with all that is by pursuing inaction and effortlessness.
The system of social ethics was taught by Confucius/K'ung Fu'Tzu (551-479 BCE) and given imperial recognition in China in the second century CE. It has since spread from China to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other southeast Asian countries.
The indigenous nature religion of Japan became an official state religion between 1868 and 1945. It is based on the belief that spiritual powers, called kami, exist in the natural world.
A Blending of Religion
in East Asia
Religion in East Asia is a blend of ancient beliefs and practices that have been influenced by the spread of Buddhism.
In China, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are called "The Three Teachings."
Japanese incorporate Shinto rituals in their Buddhist worship practices.
Access this map at https://commons.princeton.edu/mg/religions-in-asia-c-1500/
Japan
Background Information
The following slides provide background information for your study of East Asian religions. Click the blue links for
more information.
Religions of East Asia
China
Japan
South Korea
Buddhism
China
Taoism / Daoism
Japan
Shintoism
China
South Korea
Confucianism
NOTE: Religion in North Korea is discouraged by the government. Historically, Buddhism and Confucianism flourished there.
Source and explanation of these events at
https://www.preceden.com/timelines/66204-east-asian-religion-timeline
Buddhism Facts
In India (what is now Nepal), Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born.
Read about his search to solve the problem of suffering here.
Origin
Religious Practices
Places of Worship
Types of Buddhism
Buddha's teachings were first passed down orally, but later written down in the Pali Canon, also called the Tipitika/Tripitika, or "Three Baskets."
Mahayana sacred texts, the Sutras, were written in Sanskrit.
The Tripitika Koreana, a collection of Buddhist teachings carved into over 80,000 wooden blocks, is housed in Haeinsa Temple.
Sacred Texts
Major Beliefs
Taoism Facts
In China, Laozi / Lao-tze is an historical or legendary figure. He may have been a shi, an archivist and historian for the emperor during the Zhou Dynasty. Some modern scholars believe he did not live at all. His name means "old master" or "ancient child."
Taoism was declared the state religion during the Tang Dynasty, but was later supplanted by Buddhism.
Origin
Religious Practices
Taoists worship at home altars, although there are temples devoted to Taoism, such as the White Cloud Taoist Temple in Beijing.
Places of Worship
Daodejing/Tao-Te-Ching (The Book of the Way), is a book of poetry said to have been written by Laozi. It offers guiding principles for living in harmony with Ch'i/qi, the energy of the universe.
Important Writing
Dao/Tao is a spiritual force that is present in everything. It is not a god to be worshipped. There are Taoist gods, which are part of the Tao.
Taoists try to live in tune with the Tao. This means letting things happen naturally, rather than trying to control events.
Ch’i/qi, is the energy present in and guiding everything in the universe." (National Geographic)
Major Beliefs
This Taoist symbol depicts the yin (dark) and yang (light), representing opposites in balance. Click the symbol to learn about its meaning.
Confucianism Facts
Confucius, also known as Kongzi, or Master Kong, was a teacher and philosopher who lived in China ca. 551–479 BCE.
Mencius and Xunzi were two disciples of Confucius who carried on his teachings after his death.
Origin
Rituals
China's Civil Service Examinations during the Han-Tang dynasties tested scholars' knowledge of Confucian principles.
Education
The Analects, a collection of Confucius' teachings, was written after he died by his students.
Confucius is well-known for his wise sayings, or proverbs. Explore many of them here. (Scroll down to watch the profile of Confucius.)
Important Texts
Confucianism focuses on right behavior toward others. It supports education and a strong organized government.
Respect for elders and ancestors is very important. Filial piety refers to respect, devotion, and loyalty to family.
Five relationships are discussed: ruler-subject; parent-child; husband-wife; younger sibling-older sibling; friend-friend.
Major Points
"I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand."
~Confucius
Shinto Facts
Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion, beginning over 3000 years ago. The word Shinto means "the way of gods."
There is no founder, central god, or doctrine in this religion. Worship involves ritual and tradition. Many Japanese follow both Shinto and Buddhism. The religions are very compatible.
Origin
Religious Practices
Places of Worship
Kami are Shinto spirits that can be present in all things and live in natural places such as mountains, rivers, animals, plants, and people, both living and dead. Prayers, offerings, and dances are offered to the Kami for good fortune and peace of mind.
Purification is important, especially before entering a shrine Human beings are naturally pure, but become impure through daily living. Rituals can cleanse someone of impurity.
Major Beliefs
Torii gates are the portals between the physical and spiritual worlds in Shinto.
Research Resources
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Websites
Columbia University
Asia for Educators
NCTA
(National Consortium for Teaching About Asia)
The Ohio State University
East Asian Studies Center
(Page includes links to articles on Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto)
Asia Society
United Religions Initiative
URI
Learn Religions
ThoughtCo.
These sites contain a wealth of information and the ability to search by topic and/or format.
Buddhism
360 VR experiences of Buddhist sites in Japan:
Art of Asia: The Art of Enlightenment
(Minneapolis Institute of Art)
Visuals
1. Buddhism (World History Encyclopedia)
2. Buddhism in China (China Highlights)
3. The Origins of Buddhism (Asia Society)
Articles
Blake, Philip. My Religion and Me: We are Buddhists. Franklin Watts.
Cooper, Alison. World Religions: Facts About Buddhism. New York: rosen central.
Dicker, Katie and Nisansa De Silva. I Belong to the Buddhist Faith.
Faelli, Rita. Religions of the World: Buddhism. AV² by Weigel.
Books
E
E
MS
JH
HS
MS
JH
HS
Taoism / Daoism
Visuals
Articles
Book
1. "Daoism" (Asia Society)
2. "Laozi: The Old Master" (Asia Society)
3. "Chinese Taoism" (China Highlights)
4. "Taoism" (World History Encyclopedia)
5. "Taoism (Daoism)" (Learn Religions)
6. "Daoism in China" (Learn Religions
7. "It's easy to understand Tao if you have a great teacher like…" (Ancient China: Taoism for Kids--Mr. Donn)
Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. (New York: Penguin Books, 1982).
Confucianism
Confucius and Confucianism (Khan Academy)
Who was Confucius? (TED-Ed)
"The Analects" by Confucius (World Library Foundation) (start at 1:30)
Visuals
1. "Confucianism" (Asia Society)
2. "Confucius Says: Excerpts from the Analects" (Asia Society)
3. "What did Confucius Say?" (Asia for Educators)
4. "Reversing the Cultural Revolution: Chinese Parents Are Keen on a More Confucian Education.” The Economist, 22 May 2021.
Articles
Shinto
Visuals
Webpages
Japan: Where Gods Aren't Gods and Worshippers Aren't Religious
(Shinto Explained) (Life Where I'm From)
15 Best Shinto Shrines You Have To Visit
(Japan Objects)
(Asian Art Museum Storyteller)
General Resources
Articles
Books
Primary Sources
Buller, Laura. A Faith Like Mine. DK Children.
Meredith, Susan and Clare Hickman. The Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions. [Contains website links]
Osborne, Mary Pope. One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship.Knopf, New York, NY; 1996.
Novels and Nonfiction Books:
Recommended book titles by grade and country (NCTA website)
1. Historical and Modern Religions of Korea (Asia Society)
2. Religions in China (China Highlights)
3. Chinese Religions and Philosophies (National Geographic)
Primary Sources with DBQs-China:
(Asia for Educators--scroll down for Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.)
Student Activities
Ask Mr. Donn About Ancient China (Interactive Religion Quiz)
Quizizz: search for "East Asian Religions;" there are several quizzes.
Chinese Religion Sort: found in China: Teaching Buddhism Confucianism Taoism (Daoism) with Kung Fu Panda & Mulan-- (Teachers Pay Teachers: Greg's Goods - Making History Fun) $
Quizzes & Games
Senso-ji Temple Temple visit begins at 5:00. (Institute for Japanese Studies at The Ohio State University)
Inside a Buddhist Temple (no narration)
White Clouds Taoist Temple in Beijing
Video Tours
"Attitudes Toward Nature in Daoist Art": a drawing activity with poetry.
Create a Lotus Lantern- (Buddhism)
Create Your Own Mandala- (Buddhism)
Art
CONFUCIANISM, DAOISM, AND BUDDHISM How do different belief systems fit together in one country? (Field Museum Lesson)
Taoism and Confucianism — Ancient Philosophies (Newsela)
Readings
Prezi
Explore and Learn More
Step inside a temple or Confucian school on the slides that follow. Click on the shapes to learn more about the spiritual practices of East Asia.
Buddhist Temple
Click each
for more info.
Taoist Temple: Click each to learn more!
Confucian School-- click on each to learn more!
Shinto Shrine- click near each to learn more!
~ Confucius
"To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness."
As part of the Take & Go Curriculum Modules Project
Sponsored by the East Asian Resource Center at The Ohio State University
and the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia
Created by