Interconnectedness
of Geography,
Culture and
Religion Week 2
Subject Teacher: Ms. Gwyneth S. Tumbaga
OBJECTIVE:
A. Analyze the
interconnectedness of
geography, culture and
religion.
ACTIVITY 1:
Directions: In a ½
sheet of paper, in at
least 5 sentences try to
answer How does
Geography and
Culture influence
Religion?
1 2 3
A.
Historical B. C.
Backgroun Geography Cultural
d of Faith Milieu
A. Historical
Background
HISTORICAL BACKGOUND
Prehistoric humans, such as the Neanderthals and
Cro-Magnons, have practiced a set of belief systems
like in burying their dead, painting on the walls of
caves and carving images from stones.
HISTORICAL BACKGOUND
The existence of humankind for so long a time has
resulted in the formation of religion and belief
systems. It is certain that many religions may have
been unrecorded in the past. Others may have
gradually died down like Zoroastrianism that once
flourished in South Asia but is now only confined in
Iran, India, and Central Asia
IMPORTANT DATES ON THE
ORIGIN OF WORLD RELIGIONS
2000 BCE – Time of Abraham, the Patriarch of Israel
1200 BCE – Time of Moses, the Hebrew leader of
Exodus
1100-500 BCE – Hindus compiled their holy texts, the
Vedas
563-83 BCE – Time of Buddha, founder of Buddhism
551-479 BCE – Time of Confucius, founder of
Confucianism
200 BCE – The Hindu book, Bhagavad Gita was
written
2 to 4 BCE – 32 CE – Time of Jesus Christ, the
Messiah and founder of Christianity
32 CE – The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Christ
40-90 CE – The New Testament was written by the
followers of Jesus Christ
100 CE – Beginnings of Shintoism
500-580 CE – Time of Lao Tzu, founder of Daosim
570-632 CE – Time of Muhammad, who recorded the
THE PATRIARCH ABRAHAM
Played a major role in the establishment of the three
monotheistic religions: namely, Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam, which account for more than half of the world’s total
population. As such, these organized religions are
collectively known as ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS.
The importance of Abraham in these three religions lies in
the fact that the patriarch appears as an elemental (primary)
figure for monotheistic belief system and a paragon
(exemplar) for extreme devotion.
THE COMMONALITIES
1. They all worship one supreme being.
a. Ancient Hebrews – Elohim, Adonai and
Yahweh
b. Present day Judaism – Lord or God
c. Muslims - Allah
THE COMMONALITIES
2. Prophets and apostles play major roles.
a. Judaism – 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses
b. Christianity – 12 apostles
c. Islam – Muhammad is the final prophet
THE COMMONALITIES
3. Prior to the establishment as organized
religions, the role of divine revelation or
intervention is associated among their
progenitors (ancestors).
Activity 2:
Directions: In your
notebook answer this
question.
1. Why is Abraham
important to the
development of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam?
THE INDIAN MOSAIC
India is one of the oldest surviving
civilizations, with its history dating back to at
least 6500 BCE. The many conquerors that
came to India were gradually absorbed into the
native Indian religions.
THE INDIAN MOSAIC
The Harappan civilization, Aryan influence,
local dynasties, and the Muslim conquest all
had their fair share in building the intricate
Indian mosaic. As a result, variety and
complexity characterize Indian culture.
THE INDIAN MOSAIC
Four great religions originated in India –
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism
– and a myriad of minor cults and local sects.
1. Hinduism
- It perfectly reflects Indian heterogeneity
with its eclectic (diversified and assorted) ways
of religious expressions that are quite confusing
to outsiders.
- It has no specific founder, no one sacred
book, and with innumerable gods and goddesses
that any Hindu can venerate. As such, Hinduism
can be considered as museum of religions.
1. Hinduism
- It was during the Vedic Period that
Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma became
systematized as a religion that preached order and
purpose to the cosmos and human life.
- During this period, universal order became
equated with a stable society as evidenced by the
establishment of a centralized government and the
integration of collective traditions into Indian
lives.
2. Buddhism
- It centers its attention on the figure of
the Buddha, who was not a god but a human
being who came to discover how to terminate
sufferings in order to escape the painful and
continuous cycle of rebirth.
- Buddhist followers revere Buddha in the
same way that the members of other world
religions worship their gods.
2. Buddhism
- The Mahayana sect of Buddhism differs
from Theravada school because of its rich
array of buddhas and bodhisattvas who have
attained spiritual enlightenment.
- These beings are already eligible to
enter nirvana but choose to delay this glorious
path to guide others to the path of salvation.
2. Buddhism
- Born near the end of the 6th century
BCE, Siddhartha Gautama’s life is closely
linked with the historical and religious
development of Buddhism in India. Gaining
new converts due to its mass appeal as
compared to the exclusivity of Hindu beliefs,
Buddhism spread far and wide from India to
Sri Lanka and to Southeast Asia.
2. Buddhism
- The religion was transported to China,
Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Across the
Himalayas, it reached the Tibetan lands.
- Presently, Buddhism has become more
popular outside its place of origin while
Hinduism has remained entrenched (rooted) in
India throughout many centuries.
3. Confucianism
- Even during the olden days, the Chinese
had already endeavored to establish and attain
good governance. China adopted Confucius’s
ideals and ethics as the nation developed
meritocracy (power goes to those with
superior intellects) as a basis for government
officials.
3. Confucianism
- Confucius is regarded as China’s
greatest philosopher and teacher who lived at
the same time as Siddhartha Gautama in India.
- Confucian ideals aspire to harmonize
human relations and serve as guide to social
behavior. An ideal human society it the utmost
concern for the Confucian followers.
3. Confucianism
- Confucius dwell upon the theme of
the Dao as being the truth or way things
out to be done concordant with specific
view to life, politics, and customs.
- Confucian Dao concerns human
affairs.
4. Daoism/Taoism
- Mysteries abound the birth and life of
Laozi (Lao-tzu) who may have written Dao De
Jing (Tao Te Ching or The Book of the Way and
its Power.
- Believed to be a contemporary (modern
version) of Confucius, he once worked as a
record keeper at the time of Zhou Dynasty but
soon left the service due to his frustration with
corruption.
4. Daoism/Taoism
- Around 142 CE, Daoism began as an
organized religion with the establishment of
the Way of the Celestial Masters sect by
Zhang Daoling during the Han Dynasty.
- The writings of Daoism centers on the
concept of Dao, as a way or path signifying
appropriateness of one’s behavior to lead other
people.
4. Daoism/Taoism
- Dao in Daoism means road, path or way
in which one does something.
- Daoist Dao means the way the universe
works
5. Shintoism
- It is a loosely organized local belief in
Japan, somewhat an ardent (dedicated)
religious form of Japanese patriotism. Its
mythology highlights the superiority of Japan
over other lands.
- Japanese people believed that their
emperors literally descended from the sun
goddess Amaterasu.
5. Shintoism
- Conscious effort is done to revere the
beauty of Japan’s lands, especially mountains.
- The term ‘Shinto’ was coined around
the 16th century CE to distinguish native
belief system from the imported religions of
China and Korea, including Buddhism,
Daoism and Confucianism.
5. Shintoism
- The term came from the Chinese words
‘shen’ and ‘tao’ roughly translated as the ‘way
of the gods’.
- Of primal importance were the kami
that were often defined as the gods but could
also refer to deities of heaven and earth, or
even spirits in human beings, animals, trees,
seas, and mountains.
B. Geography of
Faith
GEOGRAPHY OF FAITH
1. The Western Frontier
2. The Indian Subcontinent
3. The Eastern End
The Western Frontier
West Asia is the home of three great
religions.
Religions have increasingly become
involved in domestic politics of West
Asia, resulting in prolonged conflicts
among countries that have claimed
thousands of lives.
The Western Frontier
The Levant: Lebanon, Jordan, Israel,
Syria, and Palestine.
Israel remains the only country in the
world with a Jewish-majority
population comprising almost 75% of
its citizens.
The Western Frontier
The Arabian Peninsula, the world’s largest
peninsula, consists of countries that are
predominantly Islamic in character. (Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates,
Yemen, and Oman). Most West Asian countries
follow Shi’a and Sunni denominations of Islam.
Iran and Iraq associate themselves with the Shi’a
sect while Muslims in Saudi Arabia belong to
Sunni branch.
The Western Frontier
The topography of West Asia is
characterized by vast areas of
mountainous terrains which played
significant roles in many religious
beliefs as these landforms provide
ideal settings where gods live or where
gods and mortals meet.
The Western Frontier
Three structures are found in the present
site: Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the
Rock, and the Dome of the Chain. The
Jewish people consider the Temple Mount
as their holiest shrine. Mount Moriah is
also believed to be the site of sacrifice of
Isaac by Abraham.
The Western Frontier
Vast expanse of deserts and bodies of water
also played important roles in biblical
history.
The Western Frontier
Presently, followers of Abrahamic religions
place high regard on the city of Jerusalem
in Israel because of the numerous sites that
are central to their belief system.
There are more than a thousand
synagogues, more than a hundred churches
and more than 70 mosques.
The Western Frontier
The Western Wall (Wailing Wall or
Kortel), one of the four remaining walls
that surrounded Temple Mount, is the
second holiest shrine for the Jews.
The Western Frontier
Jerusalem has been sacred for the
Christians for almost two thousand years
now. Important sites include Mount Zion
and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher,
which is the site of the Golgotha (or the
place of crucifixion) and the empty tomb of
Jesus Christ.
The Western Frontier
Lastly, Jerusalem has been sacred for the
Muslims for almost 1400 years now. For
the Sunni Muslims, it is their third holiest
city.
The Western Frontier
Located at the Temple Mount, the Islamic
Dome of the Rock is the most recognizable
structure in Jerusalem. It is believed that
the rock is the spot from which Muhammad
ascended to heaven. Likewise, the First and
Second Temples are believed to lie beneath
or near the shrine.
The Western Frontier
Another Islamic structure is the Al-Aqsa
Mosque associated with the night journey
undertaken by Muhammad.
The Indian Subcontinent
The subcontinent of South Asia covers an
area more than one and a half million
square miles stretching from the Hindu
Kush and Baluchi Hills on the west and the
Great Himalayan mountain range on the
north, to the Burmese mountain on the east
and the Indian Ocean on the south.
The Indian Subcontinent
More than 4000 years ago, a civilization
emerged along the Indus River that
developed a unique culture long before the
dawn of the Christian era.
Invasions from people originating in
Macedonia and Central Asia have added
diversity to India’s population and
complexity to its culture.
The Indian Subcontinent
Because sweltering heat is one major
feature of India’s ecological setting, it is no
wonder that Hindus revere the sun (Surya)
and fire (Agni).
Water also plays a major role as evidenced
by Hindus venerating a god of water and
celestial oceans (Varuna).
The Indian Subcontinent
The South Asian countries of India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh depend on the rivers of Indus,
Ganga-Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. Traversing
the great plains of North India, the Ganga
(Ganges) is the holiest river for the Hindus.
From its point of origin to its confluence with
the ocean, many ancient pilgrimage sites and
cities line up along the Ganga that include
Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag and Varanasi.
The Indian Subcontinent
Even Buddhists consider Varanasi as an
important religious site. During the olden days,
there was once a deer park in Samath which is
now a residential area in Varanasi. In this park,
Siddhartha Gautama gave his first sermon about
the principles of Buddhism. It is presently
marked by the Dhamek Stupa shrine.
The Indian Subcontinent
The Buddha also met his first disciples at this
place which is now commemorated by the
Chaukhandi Stupa monument.
The Eastern End
At the eastern end of the great Asian continent
one finds the cultural and political dominance of
China.
The location of China proper in the valleys of
two great bodies of water, the Huang He and
Yangtze, is quite favorable because of the
support these streams provide to the Chinese
people that made historic China the center of
culture.
The Eastern End
From these river valleys emerged small states
now controlled by the first recorded dynasties,
the Shang and the Zhou. It is within this context
that the great Confucius became fascinated with
ethical questions and morality in government
officials.
The Eastern End
It was only during the second millennium after the
death of Confucius in 479 BCE that the teachings
and ideals identified with his philosophy spread in
China. By the time of the Han dynasty, Confucian
teachings had become the state religion. In Korea,
it began to be disseminated extensively around the
15th century. In Japan, it was accepted by the
majority during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Eastern End
Daoism emerged in response to the widespread
warfare and social turmoil that besieged the
Zhou dynasty.
The entry of Buddhism in Japan between the 4th
and 8th centuries had a direct effect in their
religious traditions.
The Eastern End
a. Shinto was introduced (to distinguish native from
foreign religion)
b. Shinto followers acknowledged that the numerous
buddhas and bodhisattvas were revelations of the
kami.
c. Fusion between Shintoism and Buddhism.
d. Japan developed a unique form of Buddhism taking
its fullest meditative form under Zen.
C. Cultural
Milieu
CULTURAL MILIEU
1. On Monotheistic and Universality
2. On the Concept of Dharma
3. On Nature and Ancestors
On Monotheism and Universality
While Judaism and Islam affirm the presence of one
god (Unitarian creed) Christianity acknowledges
one God in three persons (Trinitarian creed): The
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
On Monotheism and Universality
The basic principles of the Muslim faith are
reflected in the “Five Pillars of Islam”.
Both Christianity and Islam are considered
universalizing religions because they both
attempt to operate on a global scale.
On Monotheism and Universality
On the other hand, Judaism can be considered an
ethnic religion because it draws members from a
specific group of people from a definite locality
with most of its practices and rituals performed
continuously throughout generations.
On the Concept of Dharma
The concept of dharma is integral in religions
that emerged in India, including Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
In Hinduism, dharma could mean duty,
righteousness, and ethics. In all humanity, this is
common and evident in virtues such as
peacefulness, empathy, and kindness.
On the Concept of Dharma
For Buddhism, it means cosmic law and order,
or the teachings of Buddha and the truth of the
way things are.
For the Theravada sect, dharma is sometimes
used to indicate all the factors of existence.
On the Concept of Dharma
Dharmic religions do not compel their adherents
to profess their devotion to be a believer or a
practitioner. Meditational and yoga rituals lead
to right behavior and ultimate understanding of
the universe.
On the Concept of Dharma
While the Hindus and Buddhists share similarities in
their ideas concerning enlightenment and liberation,
they differ in:
a. Hindus believe in trimurti or the three forms of
god.
b. Buddhists do not believe in the existence of any
god therefore intermediaries for humans and gods are
not necessary along with the many rituals that go with
venerating them.
On Nature and Ancestors
The elements of cult of heaven and ancestor
worship are features of ancient Chinese culture
integrated into the Confucian philosophy and
belief. Confucius had a firm conviction in a
natural order that was moral order.
On Nature and Ancestors
Apart from having a harmonious relationship between
humans and heaven, the establishment of an ideal
human society is also key to Confucian followers. The
five basic social relationships are:
1. Ruler and subjects
2. Father and son
3. Husband and wife
4. Older and younger brothers
5. Friends or members of the community
On Nature and Ancestors
In Shintoism, divinities are closely linked to nature and
natural forces. The sacred Mount Fuji, an abode of
Japanese gods, is surrounded by temples and shrines. It
is one of the three holy mountains along with Mount
Tate and Mount Haku.
On Nature and Ancestors
Shrines are erected to venerate or remember ancestors,
an occurrence, and natural phenomena, such as
mountains, rivers, rocks and trees. Shinto followers
carry out ritualistic practices diligently in order to
establish union with the present society and the nation’s
past. Majority of its followers also practice Buddhism.
Activity 3:
Directions: In your
notebook answer the
question.
1. What is the importance
of studying the
Geographical and Cultural
Context of World
Religions?
