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【3.1 Major Religions in the World】 【世界主要宗教】 3.1.1 Hinduism Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the subcontinent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide. In some ways Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world, or at least elements within it stretch back many thousands of years. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as “a way of life” or “a family of religions” rather than a single religion. Most Hindus worship one Being of ultimate oneness (Brahman) through infinite representations of gods and goddesses. These various manifestations of gods and goddesses become incarnate within idols, temples, gurus, rivers, animals, etc. Hindus see their position in this present life as based on their actions in a previous life. If their behavior before was evil, they might experience tremendous hardships in this life. A Hindus goal is to become free from the law of karma. to be free from continuous reincarnations. 3.1.1 Hinduism There are three possible ways to end this cycle of karma: Be lovingly devoted to any of the Hindu gods or goddesses; grow in knowledge through meditation of Brahman (oneness).to realize that circumstances in life are not real, that selfhood is an illusion and only Brahman is real; be dedicated to various religious ceremonies and rites. In Hinduism, a person has the freedom to choose how to work toward spiritual perfection. Hinduism also has a possible explanation for the suffering and evil in the world. According to Hinduism, the suffering anyone experiences, whether it is sickness or starvation or a disaster, is due that person because of their own evil actions, usually from a previous lifetime. Only the soul matters which will one day be free of the cycle of rebirths and be at rest. 3.1.1 Hinduism Judaism was founded over 3500 years ago in the Middle East. Jews believe that God appointed the Jews to be his chosen people in order to set an example of holiness and ethical behavior to the world. Judaism is the original of the three Abrahamic faiths, which also includes Christianity and Islam. Jews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship. They believe that God continues to work in the world, affecting everything that people do. The Jewish relationship with God is a covenant relationship. In exchange for the many good deeds that God has done and continues to do for the Jewish People. The Jews keep Gods laws. The Jews seek to bring holiness into every aspect of their lives. 3.1.2 Judaism Judaism is the faith of a Community. Jewish life is very much the life of a community and there are many activities that Jews must do as a community. For example, the Jewish prayer book uses WE and OUR in prayers where some other faiths would use I and MINE. Jews also feel part of a global community with a close bond Jewish people all over the world. A lot of Jewish religious life is based around the home and family activities. 3.1.2 Judaism Judaism means living the faith. Almost everything a Jewish person does can become an act of worship. Because Jews have made a bargain with God to keep his laws, keeping that bargain and doing things in the way that pleases God is an act of worship. And Jews dont only seek to obey the letter of the lawthe particular details of each of the Jewish lawsbut the spirit of it, too. A religious Jew tries to bring holiness into everything they do, by doing it as an act that praises God, and honors everything God has done. For such a person the whole of their life becomes an act of worship. Being part of a community that follows particular customs and rules helps keep a group of people together, and its noticeable that the Jewish groups that have been most successful at avoiding assimilation are those that obey the rules most strictly sometimes called ultra-orthodox Jews. 3.1.2 Judaism Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who lived about 25 centuries ago in what is now Nepal and northeastern India. He came to be called “the Buddha,” which means “awakened one,” after he experienced a profound realization of the nature of life, death and existence. In the centuries following the Buddhas life, Buddhism spread throughout Asia to become one of the dominant religions of the continent. Estimates of the number of Buddhists in the world today vary widely. The most common estimate is 350 million, which makes Buddhism the fourth largest of the worlds religions. 3.1.3 Buddhism The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) is viewed by Buddhists as having attained what they are also striving to attain, which is spiritual enlightenment and, with it, freedom from the continuous cycle of life and death. Most Buddhists believe a person has countless rebirths, which inevitably include suffering. A Buddhist seeks to end these rebirths. Buddhists believe it is a persons cravings, aversion and delusion that cause these rebirths. Therefore, the goal of a Buddhist is to purify ones heart and to let go of all yearnings toward sensual desires and the attachment to oneself. 3.1.3 Buddhism Buddhists follow a list of religious principles and very dedicated meditation. When a Buddhist meditates it is not the same as praying or focusing on a god, it is more of a self-discipline. Through practiced meditation a person may reach Nirvana“the blowing out” of the flame of desire. Buddhism provides something that is true of most major religions: disciplines, values and directives that a person may want to live by. 3.1.3 Buddhism Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion articulated by the Quran, a text considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God and by the teachings and normative example (called the Sunnah and composed of Hadith) of Muhammad, considered by them to be the last prophet of God. An adherent of Islam is called a Muslim. Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah, who is infinitely superior to and transcendent from humankind. Allah is viewed as the creator of the universe and the source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is Allahs will. He is a powerful and strict judge, who will be merciful toward followers depending on the sufficiency of their lifes good works and religious devotion. A followers relationship with Allah is as a servant to Allah. 3.1.4 Islm Though a Muslim honors several prophets, Muhammad is considered the last prophet and his words and lifestyle are that persons authority. To be a Muslim, one has to follow five religious duties: repeat a creed about Allah and Muhammad; recite certain prayers in Arabic five times a day; give to the needy; one month each year, fast from food, drink, sex and smoking from sunrise to sunset; pilgrimage once in ones lifetime to worship at a shrine in Mecca. At deathbased on ones faithfulness to these dutiesa Muslim hopes to enter Paradise. If not, they will be eternally punished in hell. 3.1.4 Islm Christianity is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings. It also considers the Hebrew Bible, which is known as the Old Testament, to be canonical. Adherents of the Christian faith are known as Christians. The mainstream Christian belief is that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human and the savior of humanity. Because of this, Christians commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah. Jesus ministry, sacrificial death, and subsequent resurrection are often referred to as the Gospel, meaning “Good News”. In short, the Gospel is news of God the Fathers eternal victory over evil, and the promise of salvation and eternal life for all people, through divine grace. 3.1.5 Christianity Worldwide, the three largest groups of Christianity are the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the various denominations of Protestantism. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox patriarchates split from one another in the EastWest Schism of 1054 AD, and Protestantism came into existence during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, splitting from the Roman Catholic Church. Christians believe in a loving God who has revealed himself and can be personally known in this life. With Jesus Christ, the persons focus is not on religious rituals or performing good works, but on enjoying a relationship with God and growing to know him better. 3.1.5 Christianity Christians regard the Bible as Gods written message to humankind. In addition to its being an historical record of Jesus life and miracles, the Bible reveals Gods personality, his love and truth, and how one can have a relationship with him. Whatever circumstances Christians are dealing with in their life, they can confidently turn to a wise and powerful God who genuinely loves them. They believe that God answers prayer and that life takes on meaning as they live to honor him. 3.1.5 Christianity 【3.2 Religion in China】 【中国的宗教】 3.2.1 Taoism in China I. History of Taoism Taoism was formally established in the late East Han Dynasty (25220). The Northern and Southern Dynasties (386589) saw it become the legitimacy religion like Buddhism in China, because it was supported by some emperors for political reasons. This religion welcomed its silver age from Tang Dynasty (618907) to the Northern Song Dynasty (9601127). Many sects were formed during this period. Taoist temples were scattered all over the country and Taoist masters came forth in great number. After the Yuan Dynasty (12711368), it has divided into two major sects: Quanzhen Sect and Zhengyi Sect. With the support of royal rulers, Taoism gradually developed. In the Ming Dynasty (13681644), due to the national conflicts, the court had little energy and financial support to encourage the development of this religion. The interior unity of this religion was shaken and conflicts arose. In the Qing Dynasty (16441911), it lost the support from the upper rulers. Generally, it became a secret religious organization. Chinese Taoist Association was formed in 1957, which symbolized the dawn of a new era of this religion. At present, many people in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan believe in Taoism. Overseas, Chinese communities there have built many Taoist temples all over the world. 3.2.1 Taoism in China II. Beliefs and Culture of Taoism The basic ideas of Taoism are Chang Sheng (long living), Shen (god), and Xian (immortal), etc., and its doctrine has evolved from the academic thought of Taoists in the Spring and Autumn, and Warring States Period (770256 BC). In addition, nature-worshiping and ghost-worshiping, popular in ancient Chinese society, also contributed a social and cultural basis to the formation of Taoism. Taoism is polytheism. It has gods for almost everythingthe sun, moon, stars, wind, rain, thunder, lightning, rivers, hills, and the land, kitchen, door and wealth. The Taoists made Lao Zi their supreme god, taking Dao De Jing (The Classie of the Virtue of the Tao) as their cannon, with Zhang Ling, the founder, as the Sects Heavenly Teacher. 3.2.1 Taoism in China There are some disciplines for Taoists including no killing, no drinking, no meat, no stealing, no sex, and the like. There are also different levels for disciplines, disciplines for high level, middle level and low level. Religious disciplines are called Jie (戒) in Chinese, according to the number of disciplines, there are Three-jie, Five-jie, Eight-jie, and the greatest is the Twenty-seven-jie. One of the figures in the “Journey to the West” named Zhu Bajie (the Pig) or Eight-jie is related to these disciplines. 3.2.1 Taoism in China I. History of Chinese Buddhism Buddhism was initiated in India, developed in China and further expanded to Japan and Korea. During the Wei and Jin Dynasties (220420) the influence of Buddhism spread widely. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties(420589) the ruling classes further helped the spread of Buddhism by building temples and monasteries, translating Buddhist sutras and constructing grottoes, and many famous monks, scholars and teachers emerged. By the Sui and Tang Dynasties(581907), Buddhism reached its apex of popularity and splendors, and different sects of Buddhism had been formed in China. Over a long period, Buddhism gradually took root in the feudal society of China, intermingling with Confucian and Taoist thought. It had a strong popular appeal and its ideas made a notable impact on Chinese philosophy, literature and art. 3.2.2 Buddhism in China However, in the late of feudal society, because of the social unrest, Chinese Buddhism was slow in development. After the founding of the PRC and the implementing of the policy of freedom in religious belief, it embraced its new growing age. Now it is developing greatly and the international academic exchanges are expanded. 3.2.2 Buddhism in China II. The Doctrines and Symbols of Buddhism In general, there are three points of Buddhist doctrines: the world is impermanent and will be destroyed eventually; everything in the world is unreal; and the ultimate aim of an individuals life is eternal tranquility. The Four Noble Truths, very psychological, are common properties of all schools of Buddhist thoughts, saying, life is inevitably full of sorrow, sorrow comes from craving, sorrow can only be stopped by the stopping of craving, and this can only be done by a course of a carefully disciplined and moral life, the life of concentration and meditation led by the Buddhist monks. There are nine symbols in Buddhism, namely, pagoda, dharma-cakra, lotus, a ring of light around the Buddha and Bodhisattva, an auspicious sign, prayer beads, pipal tree, mandala and six-colored flag. 3.2.2 Buddhism in China I. History of Islam in China Islam was introduced to China via the Silk Road by Arabs from the Tang Dynasty since China was highly tolerant of new religions and Chinese contact with foreign envoys flourished during that period. Although some believe that Islam may have arrived in China during the Sui Dynasty, the first official record of Islams arrival in China occurred during the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, a steady stream of Arab and Persian traders arrived in China through the Silk Road and the overseas route through the port of Quanzhou. Not all of the immigrants were Muslims, but many of those who stayed formed the basis of the Chinese Muslim population and the Hui ethnic group. The Arab and Persian immigrants introduced polo, their cuisine, their musical instruments, and their knowledge of medicine to China. 3.2.3 Islam in China The Yuan Dynasty embraced Islam to a great extent. The Mongols-dominated class elevated the status of Muslims to versus the Chinese, and placed many Muslims in high- ranking posts over Confucian scholars, relying on Muslims to administer the nation. The state encouraged Muslim immigration, as Arab, Persian and Turkic immigration into China accelerated during this period. Muslims continued to flourish in China during the Ming Dynasty. The most obvious evidence is that the capital of Ming Dynasty, Nanjing , was a center of Islamic learning. 3.2.3 Islam in China Muslims suffered a status decline during the Qing Dynasty. In the Qing dynasty, there were many Muslims mosques in the large cities, with particularly important ones being in now Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Guangzhou. The architecture typically employed traditional Chinese styles, with Arabic-language inscriptions being the chief distinguishing feature. Many Muslims held government positions, including positions of importance, particularly in the army. Today Islam is experiencing a revival. There is an upsurge in Islamic expression and many nation-wide Islamic associations have organized to co-ordinate inter-ethnic activities among Muslims. Muslims are found in every province in China. Of Chinas 55 officially recognized minorities, ten groups are predominately Muslim. According to government figures, there are 20 million Muslims (1.4%) with 35,000 Islamic places of worship, and more than 45,000 imams. 3.2.3 Islam in China II. Beliefs and Features of Muslims The founder of Islam, Mohammed, is believed to be a great prophet and the scripture is the Koran. Allah is the god of Islam. An Imam is the worship leader of the mosque as well as a Muslim community who takes charge of the religious works and leads Islamic worship services; Imams play an important role of giving names to newborn babies, and conduct marriages and funerals and so on. Muslims prefer wheaten food and eat beef and mutton, while pork and meat of non-ruminants, animal blood and dead animals are forbidden in their diet. The costume of Muslims carries the style of the central Asian people. The distinctive feature is their headwear. Males prefer white or black caps, while females wear hijabs, and different colors are chosen for different ages. 3.2.3 Islam in China I. History of Christianity in China In 635, the ninth year of the reign of Tangs Second Emperor Li Shimin (599649), Nestorianism, which was considered as a heresy of Christianity at that time, came into China. Nestorianism once had a good development. In 845, the then Emperor, a devout Taoist, decreed the prohibition of foreign religions. The spread of Nestorianism was stopped. In the Yuan Dynasty (12711368), Nestorianism rose again, and at the same time Roman Catholicism began to surge too. In 1582 of the Ming Dynasty, Matteo Ricci, an Italian churchman who was proficient in astronomy and mathematics, came to China. He was one of the pioneers of evangelizing in the country. In 1659, there came a missionary, whose name was Ferdinand Verbiest. In 1727, Eastern Orthodoxy joined the Christianity and spread in China. In 1807, Robert Morrison, a Protestant, introduced Protestantism into the country. After its defeat in the Opium War in 1840, the Qing Dynasty government signed a series of treaties, which included the permission of missionizing in the doctrines of Christianity. 3.2.4 Christianity in China During the Republic period (19111949), many evolutionary elites, such as Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren as well as Zhang Xueliang, were baptized as Christians. Even the then ruler Jiang Zhongzheng was a Christian. By 1949 there were only 3 or 4 million Christians in China, less than 1 percent of the total population. In 1949, after the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, the development of Christianity witnessed a series of twists and turns, and finally revived to spread fast. 3.2.4 Christianity in China II. Christianity in Present China Nowadays, Christianity prevails in China especially the eastern and central provinces including Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Henan, Hebei, Shanghai and Jiangsu. In the country, Christians are usually referred to Protestants, who form the most popular group. There are over 23 million Protestants and about 50,000 adherents from family churches. The followers of Roman Catholicism reach 6 millions. On Sundays, Christians get together in a home or a church, sing praising songs, read Bible, hear sermons, share thoughts, reflect on Scripture, pray, do preaching camp and other community activities. There would be special activities on major Christian festivals, such as Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day and the Halloween. There are 15 Christian theological colleges in big cities of China. In addition, there are a number of Bible schools and Bible training centers in some small cities. 3.2.4 Christianity in China 【3.3 Religion in the West】 【西方宗教】 3.3.1 Christianity Christianity began as a Jewish sect in the mid-1st century. Originating in the Levant
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