Global History
& Geography
Unit 4 Essential Question
DO BELIEFS GUIDE
BEHAVIOR?
Unit 4
Belief Systems An element of culture
Unit 4 Essential Question
DO BELIEFS GUIDE
BEHAVIOR?
Unit 4 - Belief Systems
Unit Outline – what we will study
Social
Philosophy
Religion
Timeline
Map
Definitions
Islam
Belief Systems
Buddhism
Hinduism
Expansion
Buddhism
Beliefs
of...
Animism
Judaism
Islam
of...
Judaism
Christianity
Chinese Philosophies (Taoism –
Confucianism)
Christianity
Map of World Belief Systems
Where they began
Judaism
Christianity
Taoism
Islam
Confucianism
Animism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Timeline of World Belief Systems
(copy right)
Animism
Hinduism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
1
2100
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
300
Buddhism
Write the approximate
start date of each
religion!
On Left side – write
what you know
about one religion
(not Christianity)
Confucianism
Taoism
Shinto
600
900
Belief System: Animism (copy into
appropriate place on Frayer Diagram)
A traditional religion
Originated in Africa
Still found in many countries
Includes many sects
No specific or common holy text
derived from the
Latin word anima
meaning breath or
soul.
Main beliefs of animism (copy into table)
 Worship spirits of nature (trees, animals,
etc.)
 Worship their ancestors
Animistic gods often are immortalized by
mythology explaining the creation of fire, wind,
water, man, animals, and other natural earthly
things.
Native
Alaskan
totem art
Other animist beliefs
the worship of ancestors
 believe that the ancestors will talk to a
"supreme being" for the worshipper
 believe in the placing of spells and magic.
Usually concerns physical and mental disabilities
• Believe the have been placed under a spell or curse
• Believe it is reversible by the paying a witchdoctor who
will use herbs, prayers, chanting or dance to "cure" the
victim of the spell or curse.
Folktales are often used to explain
Religion
African Folktale
The mothergoddess
Artemis (left)
– lived in
glory - her
temple was
one of the
Seven
Wonders of
the World
Animists fear their
ancestors spirits – they
want to please them –
they will seek assistance
from others to learn how
to make their ancestors
happy!
Spirit Worship
Totem – haida
poles
Zulu Tribe
Fortune teller
in South Africa
Zulu War
Dance
Celebrations in animism
•There are many celebrations in
animism.
• The celebrations are part of
everyday life – they celebrate
birth, death, maturity, union of
partners, and most of the
major events of life.
• They may involve dance,
music, and masks
• masks help personify or show
a face for the gods that are
being worshipped, prayed to,
or entertained.
Kuba Mask,
Africa
Celebrations: Use of Masks
Masks: The Faces We Present the
World, by Meredith Small

Audio Clip : November 17, 2005 ·
Since one person may display several
faces to the would, it can be difficult to
discern his or her true identity behind the
mask.
Draw a
mask on
the left!
How the animism affected a culture
(copy in table)
 Great respect for nature
 Example of beliefs in Zanzibar, Africa
Intro 2 min
Masai Tribe Rituals & Tourism 0:03:22
Animism
Video Discover
Education.com

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=
C93CE4BE-8159-4F3C-94903F7283D56836&blnFromSearch=1

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=
7285875F-763D-4D53-9C64FB6785D6B23E&blnFromSearch=1
Reference Sites
Animism Website http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/rel
igion/animism/animism.html
http://www.actionintl.org/action/content/vie
w/223/212/
http://www.wiccanweb.ca/wiki/index.php/A
nimism
What is the purpose of religion or beliefs?
Talk to your neighbor
Decide how it helps/affects a culture
Answer on the left (back of map).
 provides guidance
 gives structure and organization to a
culture
Reading - 4 Religion Defined.mht
Important Terms
Religion:


Organized beliefs and rituals of a culture.
Usually associated with a “god” (deity) or
“spiritual force” (worship)
Social Philosophy:


A set of guiding principles that a
community follows
They have a great influence on how the
community behaves
Religion helps us (don’t
copy)




to transmit our values
from one generation to
another
influences the way we
interact with the
natural environment
teaches us how to see
ourselves in light of
the universe
gives purpose and
meaning to life.
Other Terms you will need to know
(copy right)
Sect
a branch of a belief system
Example: Christianity has many sects including
Protestants, Baptists, Catholics, & Methodists
Eight Elements of a Culture
Society:
Types of people in a culture (Race, religious
identity, nationality)
Art:
The way a culture expresses their ideas (dance,
architecture, music)
Geography: The land, location and natural resources of a
culture (physical features, climate, raw materials)
Language:
Communication system of a culture (speech,
writing, symbols)
Religion:
Organized beliefs and rituals of a group (worship,
ceremonies)
Economy:
The way you get the things you need (trade,
agriculture, industry, money, hunting)
Politics:
Government and laws of a culture (leadership,
services, rules)
Customs:
Traditions of a culture (holidays, clothing,
celebrations)
What do you see below? (LEFT SIDE)
Symbol of the United States – the Flag
A Song of Patriotism
A road sign
to a town:
Pray
Economy of
the United
States: Our
Money
The symbols of SOME of the
religions and beliefs in the United
States
Group Activity
 Each group will receive a reading and use your
workbook and textbook to find more information (use
index).
 The group will complete the following (15 minutes):
 Frayer Diagram for the religion
 Answer the following questions on the back of Frayer
Diagram:
How does Belief System affect behavior of
society?
Specific examples of the affect on behavior.
Locations of religion today
Other information not on Frayer
Christianity Frayer Diagram
Frayer Diagram for the religion

Essential
Characteristics
Examples
Non-Essential
Characteristics
Christian
- ity
Non-Examples
Christianity continued…
 Answer the following questions on the back of Frayer
Diagram:
 How does Belief System affect behavior of society?
 Specific examples of the affect on behavior.
 Locations of religion today
 Other information not on Frayer
Group Activity
When group is done we will teach each
other.
 This is the following order for teaching:
 Hinduism
 Buddhism
 Islam
 Judaism
Christianity
Example of religion’s affect on society:
Society: Types of people in a culture (Race, religious
identity, nationality)
• Hindu is the main religion of India and it effects the Indian
society!
• the Hindu religion created a caste system (a system that
divides society into levels) Segregates people
• People are born into a caste (BASED ON YOUR PREVIOUS LIFE)
and cannot change their status
• The caste system developed because of the Hindu religion which
started in India
Hinduism is the
dominant faith.
According to 2001
Census, 80.5% of the
population of the
country are
designated 'Hindu'.
Caste System in Indian Society: Two Visuals
(COPY ONE OF THESE)
Untouchables
are not even on
the body!
Some examples of religion’s affect on art:
Art: The way a culture expresses their ideas (dance, architecture, music)
• Many African societies follow animist beliefs
• Their societies revolve around the religion during
celebrations.
• They use dance and music to express their religious beliefs
Togo – a
country of
African –
young male
wearing
horns for
ritutal
Tailand and
Vietnam
Bali is one of the
smaller islands
of Indonesia
The affect of religion on art in Bali – an
Indonesian Island (DO NOT COPY)
 The Balinese adapted their belief system.
 Before the arrival of Hinduism to Bali and other parts of Indonesia, local
people practiced animism.
 When Hinduism arrived, the practice of Hinduism was adapted to local
practices.
 Type of Hinduism practiced in Bali is much different from that in India.
 Balinese dance cannot be separated from their religion.
 Even the dances for the visitors are preceded by dancers praying at
their family shrine for taksu (inspiration) from the gods.
 Dance fills a number of specific functions:
 a channel for visiting gods or demons: the dancers act as a living
repository (storage location) for the gods.
 a welcome for visiting gods
 entertainment for visiting gods.
Tailand and
Vietnam
Bali is one of the
smaller islands
of Indonesia
write the answer to the following question:
(LEFT SIDE)
 What purposes do religion and beliefs
serve in a community?
 Are they worth having?
DRAW A COMMUNITY WITHOUT
BELIEFS!
Vocabulary (do not copy)
Religion
– gives people guidance and keeps order in a society. It is the way a culture
express their beliefs.
Cultural diffusion
– when different cultures blend or fuse. Often creating a new culture. When
people are intolerant cultures may not blend.
Polytheism
– the belief in many gods (Animism, Shinto)
Monotheism
– the belief in one god. (Christianity, Judaism)
Myth
- Story used to explain what people couldn’t understand
Filial Piety
- The respect that children owe their parents (Confucianism belief)
Warm – Up 10-20
 Why were polytheistic religions the first belief
systems to form?
 Give examples of their beliefs.
 Did religion affect behavior of polytheistic
cultures?
 Polytheistic religions helped explain nature and
natural events that couldn’t be explained.
Science had not developed. Once science
blossomed and natural events could be
explained through theory and scientific methods
then monotheism became more popular!
Unit 4 Essential Question
DO BELIEFS GUIDE
BEHAVIOR?
Think of the current event from last
week. How do beliefs or religions
affect the culture of your country?
Review Timeline of World Belief
Systems (copy right)
Animism
Hinduism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
1
2100
1800
1500
1200
900
600
300
300
Buddhism
Confucianism
On Left – write
what you know
about one Judaism
(not Christianity)
Taoism
Shinto
600
900
Review Vocabulary (do not copy)
Religion
– gives people guidance and keeps order in a society. It is the way a culture
express their beliefs.
Cultural diffusion
– when different cultures blend or fuse. Often creating a new culture. When
people are intolerant cultures may not blend.
Polytheism
– the belief in many gods (Animism, Shinto)
Monotheism
– the belief in one god. (Christianity, Judaism)
Myth
- Story used to explain what people couldn’t understand
Filial Piety
- The respect that children owe their parents (Confucianism belief)
Review Map of World Belief Systems
Where they began
Judaism
Christianity
Taoism
Islam
Confucianism
Animism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Where are beliefs
found today?
Belief System: Christianity
Jerusalem is a Holy city
Originated in the Middle East
Holy Text for Christianity
Bible (Old/New Testament)
Founder: Jesus of Nazareth (Bible is based
on his life)
Main beliefs of Christianity
One God – Monotheism
That Jesus Christ is the son of God and
that he is the messiah
Celebrations and holidays of Christianity
 Christmas – every year December 25th celebrates birth of Jesus – the founder
How Christianity affected the elements of culture in
ancient times
 Society - Simple rules won many converts to Christianity
How it affects Mexico today
 Art – Statues/Paintings reflect life of Jesus
 Politics – Christianity influences laws such as
 Language – speak Spanish the language of the people who
converted them to Christianity
 Geography – churches are often the center of towns
 Society – people follow Christian ten commandments
 Economy – The Catholic church collects a tithe (tax/offering)
weekly from followers
 Customs – holidays and festivals are often religious – celebrate
Christmas every year
Belief System: Hinduism
Originated in India (stayed in India)
Third largest religion after Christianity and
Islam
What’s different about Hinduism?
Hinduism differs from Christianity and
other Western religions
it does not have a
single founder
specific theological system (written guidance on how
to study god)
single system of morality
central religious organization.
It consists of "thousands of different
religious groups that have evolved in India
since 1500 BCE."
Holy Text for Hinduism
 Vedas – contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from
ancient India.
 four different Vedas
 ancient scriptures or revelation (Shruti) of the Hindu
teachings.
 manifest the Divine Word in human speech.
 reflect the language of the Gods into human language –
Reference: The
full text of the
Vedas translated http://www.sacredtexts.com/hin/inde
x.htm#vedas
Main beliefs of Hinduism
Reincarnation – one’s soul
is reborn into another form
until perfection is reached
natural process of birth,
death and rebirth
Hindus believe you are born into
a caste based on how you lived
your previous lives.
After death, the soul
goes to the next world,
bearing in mind the
subtle impressions of its
deeds, and after reaping
their harvest returns
again to this world of
action. Thus, he who
has desires continues
subject to rebirth.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad 4.4.6
Hindu affect on society (copy definition on
left)
Caste System: a system that divides
society into levels/ segregates
people
• People are born into a caste and
cannot change their status
Caste System (copy
•
•
triangle with names on left)
Brahmin – the priests, teachers, and judges.
Kshatriya (KUH SHAT REE YUHZ) - the warrior caste.
Caste System (copy)
Vaisya (VEEZ YUHZ) - the farmers and
merchants
Caste system (copy)
 Sudras - craftworkers and laborers.
Caste system (copy 1
 Untouchables - outcasts,
or people beyond the caste
system.
 Their jobs or habits involve
“polluting activities” including:
 Any job that involved ending a
life, such as fishing.
 Killing or disposing of dead
cattle or working with their hides.
 Any contact with human
emissions such as sweat, urine,
or feces.
 This included occupational
groups such as sweepers and
washermen.
 People who ate meat.
st
bullet)
More about Untouchables (don’t
copy)
 The untouchable category included most of the
primitive Indian hill tribes.
 Untouchables were often forbidden to enter
temples, schools and wells where higher castes
drew water.
 In some parts of southern India, even the sight
of untouchables was thought to be polluting.
 The untouchables were forced to sleep during
the day and work at night.
 Many untouchables left their rigid social
structure by converting to Islam, Buddhism, or
Christianity.
Caste system: unchanging societal group
Ghandi with
Harijan
Children
 The Caste System has been illegal in India for more than fifty
years, but it continues to shape people’s lives.
 The Indian government has provided the Harijan a term now
popularly used in place of untouchable, with specific
employment privileges, and granted them special
representation in the Indian parliament.
 Despite such measures, the Harijan continue to have fewer
educational and employment opportunities than Indians from
higher castes.
Information from NationalGeographic.com
Separate and Unequal
Photograph by William
Albert Allard
Across a narrow alley
children on a stairway
seek a stray breeze and
freedom from one-room
apartments in a
battered housing project
for Untouchables in
Bangalore, in southern
India. Jobs—and the
prospect of fewer public
humiliations at the hands
of upper caste Indians—
bring many
Untouchables to the
cities. Though they may
blend anonymously with
higher castes on city
streets, they can't
escape segregated
housing.
Crushing Work
Photograph by William Albert Allard
Hour after hour Untouchtables break rocks to repair a railbed in Rajasthan. They will earn one or two dollars a day. Because of
their huge numbers—Untouchables now number 160 million, or 15 percent of India's people—many have had to leave their
villages to seek work beyond their traditional caste occupations. Yet most Untouchable migrants merely exchange one kind of
backbreaking labor for another, working in fields, construction sites, brick kilns, and stone quarries.
References for Untouchables:
National Geographic Story with video and
audio
Question
 The caste system in India and the feudal
system in Europe and China were similar
in that both
1.
2.
3.
4.
provided structure for society
developed concepts of natural rights
established totalitarian governments
promoted peace and prosperity
Question
 Which belief is shared by an African who
practices animism and a Japanese who
practices Shinto?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Only one God rules the universe.
Periodic fasting is essential to spiritual purity.
Spirits exist in both living and nonliving things.
All suffering is caused by desire and
selfishness.
Other information about Hinduism
Hinduism originated over 3000 years ago.
Hinduism claims to have many founders,
teachers and prophets who claim first
hand experience of God.
Celebrations and holidays of Hinduism
 Hindu sacraments are called
'sanskars'
 sacraments performed at the time of a
wedding are called 'Vivah Sanskar'. They
are very detailed.
 Diwali, Hindu festival of lights,
most popular festival from South
Asia
 Diwali lasts over five days and includes
lights, fireworks, and sweets
 celebrates victory of good over evil, light
over darkness, and knowledge over
ignorance,
 The date set by the Hindu calendar. It
usually falls in October or November.
How Hinduism affected the culture
Try to lead a good life
(as in their thoughts and behavior) in order to
keep moving towards perfection
Hindu direct influence on politics
one leader of India:
Mahatma Gandhi
 Born Oct. 2, 1869, Porbandar,
India
 Gandhi was spiritual and political
leaders of the 1900's.
 helped free India from British
control by a unique method of nonviolent resistance
 honored by people of India as father
of their nation.
 assassinated by an Indian who
resented his program of tolerance
for all creeds and religions.
Mahatma Gandhi’s strategies
for freedom based on hindu
 Taught others to master their
fears
 Used only nonviolent methods
 method of direct social action,
based upon principles of
courage, nonviolence, and truth
Principles were called Satyagraha.
 the way people behave is more
important than what they achieve.
Spread of Hinduism
Hinduism is found
all over the world
today – it is the 3rd
largest religion!
Kauai's Hindu Monastery, founded
in 1970 by Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami (left, 19272001), is under the spiritual
direction of his successor, Satguru
Bodhinatha Veylanswami (right).
Essential Elements/Terms of Selected
Belief Systems
Hinduism – Important Terms
Reincarnation: The belief that the soul comes back in
another form after the body’s death
Karma: The behavior of a Hindu
 Thoughts
 Actions
Dharma: The overall values and rules of Hinduism
Caste System: The social order of separate castes
(classes of people) through Karma – people move up or
down the caste system which organized Indian society
by the type of job a person held
Video discovery education.
Belief System:
Buddhism
Originated in India
Eventually moved out of
India
Holy Text for Buddhism
None
Main beliefs of Buddhism
 End your suffering by ending your desires
Nirvana
state of ultimate awareness
by leading the right kind of life,
eventually one can reach nirvana
End their desires through prayers and
chanting
Daily Enlightenment
The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold
Path: Guide Buddhist followers
The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering.
They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as:
 Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and and almost universal.
Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence
of pleasure.)
 Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and
control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the
desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger
or jealousy.)
 Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final
liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete
freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.)
 Magga: In
order to end suffering, you must follow the
Eightfold Path.
Minor beliefs of
Buddhism

All followers
share a common
great respect for
the teachings of
the Buddha, "The
Enlightened One."
Celebrations and holidays of
Buddhism
 many special or holy days held throughout the year by the
Buddhist community.
 celebrate the birthdays of religious leaders or other significant
dates in the Buddhist calendar.
 Buddhist Festivals are always joyful occasions.
 People may go the local temple or monastery and offer
food to the monks
 distribute food to the poor to make merit and join perhaps
in a ceremony at a stupa (temple)
 In the evening they will chant the Buddha's teachings and
meditation.
 Some holy days are specific to a particular Buddhist tradition
or ethnic group
Stupa = Temple
Examples:
• Buddhist New Year
• celebrated for three days from the
first full moon day in April.
• In some countries the new year
starts on the first full moon day in
January.
• Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day")
• Buddha's Birthday
• The major Buddhist festival of the
year
• celebrates the birth, enlightenment
and death of the Buddha on the one
day, the first full moon day in May,
except in a leap year when the
festival is held in June.
• This celebration is called Vesak
because that is the name of the
month in the Indian calendar.
How Buddhism affected the culture
 They learn to accept what life brings to
them
Essential Elements of Selected Belief
Systems
Buddhism – “Four Noble Truths”
Everyone suffers
Suffering is caused by having desires
To end suffering – end your desires
To end your desires – follow the EightFold Path
Question
 The exchange of silks and spices and
the spread of Buddhism along the Silk
Roads are examples of

cultural diffusion
 The religious terms Four Noble Truths,
Eightfold Path, and nirvana are most
closely associated with what religion?
 Buddhism
References
www.buddhanet.net
www.religioustolerance.org
Belief System:
Judaism
Jerusalem is a Holy city
Originated in the Middle East
Holy Text for Judaism
Torah
(1st five books of the Old Testament – from
Christianity)
Main beliefs of Judaism
One God – Monotheism
God will send a Messiah (savior) to them
someday
Celebrations and holidays of Judaism
 Rosh Hashanah
"head of the year"
commonly known as the Jewish New Year
 Yom Kippur
day of atonement.
combines the elements of remorse and confession with
those of prayer and spiritual purification.
How Judaism affected the culture
Try to follow God’s laws (the 10
Commandments) so the Messiah will
come
Questions about Judaism?
Belief System: Islam
Originated in the Middle East
Jerusalem is a Holy City
Holy Text for Islam
Qur'an (Koran)
Main beliefs of Islam
One God – Monotheism
Follow Allah in all things above everything
else
Mohammed is the Messiah who spread
the word of God
the religious laws of Islam are so important
that they often become the political laws of
the nation
Celebrations and holidays of Islam
 based on a lunar calendar, they come earlier with each year
by about eleven days according to the Gregorian calendar
 Al-Hijra/Muharram
 Muslim New Year, beginning of the first lunar month.
 Ramadan
 holiest period in the Islamic year; it is held during the entire 9th lunar
month of the year.
 month in which the Qura'n was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
 Muslims over the age of 12 are expected to fast from sunup to sundown,
unless they suffer from health problems which would make fasting
dangerous.
 Id al-Fitr (a.k.a. "'Id" and "Eid")
 first day of the 10th month -- i.e. the day after the end of Ramadan. It is
a time of rejoicing.
 Houses are decorated; Muslims buy gifts for relatives.
 The Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
 It recalls the day when Abraham intended to follow the instructions of
God, and sacrifice his son Ishmael.
How Islam affected the culture
The religious laws of Islam are so
important that they often become the
political laws of the nation
Essential Elements of Selected Belief
Systems
Islam – “Five Pillars of Faith”
Recite: say each day “there is no God but
Allah and Mohammed is his prophet”
Pray: Five times each day, facing Mecca
Charity: give regularly to charity
Fast: go without food or drink from sunrise
to sunset during the holy month Ramadan
Pilgrimage: try to make a journey to Mecca
at least once in you life
Other Religions
Belief System: Taoism
Social Philosophy - not religion
Originated in China
"Be still like a mountain and flow
like a great river." Lao Tse
The Yin Yang symbol:
Taoist symbol. "represents the balance of
opposites in the universe. When they are
equally present, all is calm. When one is
outweighed by the other, there is
confusion and disarray."
Holy Text for Taoism
 Tao Te Ching
Founder of Taoism
 Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of
(lived at the same time as) Confucius.
He was searching for a way that would avoid the
constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that
disrupted society during his lifetime.
The result was his book: Tao-te-Ching (a.k.a.
Daodejing).
Some believe that he is a mythical character.
Main beliefs of Taoism
Follow the way of nature (accept the
things you cannot change)
They don’t challenge the natural
process
How Taoism affected the culture
They accept things as they come
They don’t challenge the natural process
In China, Taoism lost much of its influence
after the country became communist in
1949. Today it is practiced primarily in
Taiwan.
References
http://java.nationalgeographic.com/student
atlas/clickup/taoism.html
www.taoism.net
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,"
Belief System: Confucianism
Social Philosophy - not religion
Originated in China
Holy Text for Confucianism
 Analects –
sayings of Confucius - later compiled in a book of
Analects (sayings)
discover Confucius' notions of the virtues, i.e., the
positive character traits, to which we should aspire.
Most important is Filial Piety
 the respect which children owe to parents--and by extension, wives
owe to husbands, sisters to brothers, and everyone to ancestors.
Should be followed by government too.
Example:
Book 1
1-1. The Master said, "Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance
and application?
"Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?
"Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men
may take no note of him?"
Main beliefs of Confucianism
All people need to accept their role in
society
How Confucianism affected the culture
Great deal of respect for parents, elders
and country
Essential Elements of Selected Belief
Systems
Confucianism – “5 Relationships”
Father son
older brother younger brother
husband wife
ruler subjects
friends = friends
Belief System: Shintoism
 Originated: Japan
 Name from the
Chinese words "shin
tao" ("The Way of the
Gods") in the 8th
Century CE
 polytheistic religion.
They believe in more
than one god.
Shinto
• Japanese people
worship all the deities of
heaven and earth
• origin is as old as the
history of the Japanese.
•It replaced Buddhism for
many because Shinto was
Japanese – Buddhism was
not!
Holy Text for Shintoism (copy into table)
No single one – they have several they
refer to
They have no moral code, but usually
follow Confucianism beliefs.
(don’t copy)
Many texts are valued in the Shinto religion. Most
date from the 8th century CE:
• The Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters)
• The Rokkokushi (Six National Histories)
• The Shoku Nihongi
• Nihon Shoki (Continuing Chronicles of Japan)
• The Jinno Shotoki (a study of Shinto and
Japanese politics and history) written in the 14th
century
Main beliefs of Shintoism
 The spirits of “Kami”
exist in all things
including their Emperor
(god like)
Shrines are a part of Shinto worship
How Shintoism affected the culture
They have a great respect for the natural
world
(especially their Emperor – in the past)
Vocabulary – homework – create
flashcards for the following words.
1. Religion
6. Filial Piety
2. Cultural diffusion
7. Reincarnation
3. Polytheism
8. Four Noble Truths
4. Monotheism
9. Caste System
5. Myth
10. Eightfold Path
More Information for Religions
Expansion of Religions – (next page of
notes)
How do they expand?
Missionaries
Trade
Military conquest
Explorers
Expansion of Buddhism (copy notebook)
Began in India but was not accepted there
 (the Hindu social order was too strong)
Missionaries – people who spread religion
by teaching others about the beliefs
Started
here
Moved to these countries
China
Korea
Japan
India
Southeast
Asia
World Map
Expansion of Judaism (copy)
Kicked out of “Palestine” by the Romans
Removed from Palestine during the
Diaspora – the scattering of the Jewish
people during the 1st century A.D.
Most Jews went to the cities of Europe
where they lived in ghettos, there was
much persecution and oppression
Expansion of Christianity (copy)
After the death of Jesus, missionaries
(disciples) spread his word
Roman Empire:
Persecuted Christians
Slowly accepted Christian ideas
Eventually became the official religion
Romans spread Christianity throughout
the empire
Expansion of Islam (copy)
Out of Mecca, east to India, west across
North Africa and on into Spain
Spread Islam by military conquest
Arabs (Muslims – followers of Islam) were
also great traders
Essential Question 1
What concepts – important to Buddhism,
Taoism, and Confucianism – have
become an important element of
Chinese culture?
 They accept what life brings to them
 They accept their role in society
 They don’t look for change
“VINEGAR TASTERS” represent
a story from Taoism. Life is
viewed differently by the founders
of Eastern religions.
Confucius
Lao-Tse
Buddha
Each man's expression represents the
attitude of the religion:
Confucianism saw life as sour, in need of
rules to correct the degeneration of
people, and the present was out of step
of the past and that the government had
no understanding of the way of the
universe—the right response was to live
in the past, and worship the ancestors[1];
Buddhism saw life as bitter, dominated
by pain and suffering
Taoism saw life as fundamentally good in
its natural state. Some Taoists have
described it as the expression of the
"comedy of life".[2]
Essential Question 2
What do the religions of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam all have in
common?




They started in the Middle East
Jerusalem is a sacred city for all three
Monotheism (belief in one God – same God)
All follow ethical (morally good) sets of rules
for behavior
Essential Question 3
What are the various methods that were
used to spread religions to other lands?





Missionaries
Military conquest – (conquering)
Trade
Exploration
Migration
 Diaspora – forced, (ex. Jews by the Romans)
 Willing – (ex. Buddhism, Pilgrims to America)
Essential Question 4
What are 3 of the main principles of
Confucianism?
 Education is important for a well run society
 Government officials should be good role
models for society
 Everyone should know and accept their role
in society
Vocabulary Quiz
1. What is religion? Why is it important?
2. What is polytheism? How is it different
than monotheism? Name a polytheistic
religion.
3. What is cultural diffusion? How do you
think it affects religion?
Alphabet Review
- complete on own – have 10 minutes
- then will partner up for 1 minute intervals to fill in your
own chart with what you are missing.
- look at the example below
A – animism- belief system
found in Africa – traditional
system – nature and
ancestors are important
 did not use
4-6 Religion Activity
 Foldable
 Each page or flap will contain
information about a belief
system – Top will have a
symbol and the name of the
belief system
 Place of origin:
 Holy Text:
 Main Beliefs:
• Several bullets each
 Celebration:
 How the beliefs affected the
culture:
 Country presented by class
• One way it affects their
culture
 Christianity Notes
CHRISTIANITY
PLACE OF ORIGIN:__________
HOLY TEXT:___________
MAIN BELIEFS
•________
•________
CELEBRATION: ____________
AFFECT ON CULTURE:
COUNTRY: _____________
• ONE AFFECT ON THEIR
CULTURE:_________________
Celebrations and holidays of Taoism
•
On the first and 15th day of every lunar month a vegan (no animal, dairy or fish products)
meal, prepared by the worshippers themselves, will be served to all devotees in order to
participate in a ritual cleansing and purification rite.
•
Commemorations of the birthdays of certain deities are also observed by a vegan diet for
the day.
•
Taoists festivals are based on a lunar calendar and an annual cycle and symbolize both the
passing of the year in terms of the ripening, harvesting and storing of crops as well as
passing through the life cycle.
•
Many of these festivals are more concerned with the practice of popular Taoism, and
the major ones are outlined below.
According to Lao Tzu, one must
understand the whole to
understand the parts. Greatness
is a celebration of ordinary
things. That, he said, "is the art of
being in the world."
Minor beliefs of Confucianism
It is primarily an ethical system to which
rituals at important times during one's
lifetime have been added.
Celebrations and holidays of
Confucianism
 Since the time of the Han dynasty (206 CE) four life passages have been recognized
and regulated by Confucian tradition:
 birth: The mother's family of origin supplies all the items required by the baby on the
first, fourth and twelfth monthly anniversary of the birth.
 reaching maturity: This life passage is no longer being celebrated, except in
traditional families. It takes the form of a group meal in which the young adult is
served chicken.
 marriage: This is performed in six stages:
 Proposal
 Engagement: after the wedding day is chosen, the bride announces the wedding with
invitations and a gift of cookies made in the shape of the moon.
 Dowry: This is carried to the groom's home in a solemn procession. The bride-price is then
sent to the bride by the groom's parents. Gifts by the groom to the bride, equal in value to the
dowry, are sent to her.
 Procession: The groom visits the bride's home and brings her back to his place, with much
fanfare.
 Marriage and Reception: The couple recite their vows, toast each other with wine, and then
take center stage at a banquet.
 Morning after: The bride serves breakfast to the groom's parents, who then reciprocate.
 death
Shinto Creation Myths (Stories) (don’t copy)
 Tell about history and lives of the "Kami"
(deities).
Among them was a divine couple, Izanagi-no-mikoto
and Izanami-no-mikoto, who gave birth to the Japanese
islands.
Their children became the deities of the various
Japanese clans.
Amaterasu Omikami (Sun Goddess), one of their
daughters, is regarded as the chief deity.
 Her shrine is at Ise.
 Her descendants unified the country.
 Her brother, Susano came down from heaven and roamed
throughout the earth. He is famous for killing a great evil
serpent.
Other Beliefs of Shintoism (don’t copy)
There are "Four Affirmations“ in Shinto:
 Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main
mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their
main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.
 Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with
nature is to be close to the Gods. Natural objects are
worshipped as sacred spirits.
 Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths,
wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.
 "Matsuri": The worship and honor given to the Kami and
ancestral spirits.
Minor Beliefs of Shintoism
 Shinto recognizes many sacred
places: mountains, springs, etc.
 They have shrines dedicated to a
specific Kami (gods/ancestral
gods)
 When entering a shrine, one passes
through a Tori a special gateway for
the Gods. It marks the demarcation
between the finite world and the
infinite world of the Gods.
 Believers respect animals as
messengers of the Gods. A pair of
statues of "Koma-inu" (guard dogs)
face each other within the temple
grounds.
Celebrations and holidays of Shintoism
 Seasonal celebrations are held at spring planting, fall
harvest, and special anniversaries of the history of a
shrine or of a local patron spirit.
 A secular (non-religious), country-wide National
Founding Day is held in Japan on FEB-11 to
commemorate the founding of Japan; this is the
traditional date on which the first (mythical) emperor
Jinmu ascended the throne in 660 BCE.
 Other festivals include: JAN 1-3 Shogatsu (New Year);
MAR-3 Hinamatsuri (Girls' festival); MAY-5 Tango no
Sekku (Boys' festival); JUL-7 Hoshi Matsuri (Star
festival).