Religions of Asia Comparison Chart
Founder
Major Beliefs
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Ntbk # 16
Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism
Shintoism
Islam
N/A
Siddhartha Gautama
(Buddha)
Confucius
N/A
Muhammad
Polytheistic
Reincarnation
Dharma
Karma
Ganges is a holy
river
Samsara
Cremation of
bodies
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Four Noble
Truths
Eightfold path
Dharma
Karma
Meditation
Reincarnation
Suffering leads to
reincarnation
Nirvana = lasting
peace
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Rules to create
peace and
prosperity
“What you don’t
want done to you,
don’t to do others”
Respect elders
and family
Education is
essential
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Worship the kami
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Kami are spirits
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found in all
things
Most followers of
Shintoism also
follow ideas of
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Buddhism
Four Affirmations
(four truths)
Believe in One
God
God called Allah
Sunni believe
that anyone
capable for the
job should be the
leader
Shia believe a
relative of
Muhammad
should be the
leader
Holy Book
Vedas
Sutras
None
None
Quran
God(s)
Brahman – the creator
Vishnu- the preserver
Shiva – the destroyer
Some view Buddha
as a god.
None –
This is not a religion
IT IS A PHILOSOPHY
Kami – not gods but
spirits
Allah
House of
Worship
Temple
Monasteries
None
Shrine
Mosque
India
SE Asia such as
China, Vietnam,
Laos, Cambodia,
Indonesia
Japan
The Middle East
(SW Asia) and Parts
of SE Asia such as
Pakistan
Location
China