Dbq South And East Asian Religions

South and East Asian religions are more closely related and focus on a person’s actions and experience to guide them in life as opposed to emphasizing on a supreme being. These religions are more philosophical and less authoritarian than southwestern religions that primarily focus on a single supreme deity to lead them in life and are more dictatorial. South and East Asian religions such as Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism are centered around one’s behavior and are more adjustable to one’s perception, while Southwestern religions are not.

South and East Asian religions, as discussed in Documents 1, 3, 4 and 7, are primarily focused on an individuals choices and experiences in life. In these religions a key concept is that behaving

correctly within one’s environment will lead to a happy and peaceful life. Document 1 talks about Hinduism. This South Asian religion is centered around the acceptable code of behavior, Karma. Karma and an individual’s actions are very significant in Hinduism.

The concept of this religion is that an individual is only the actions they demonstrate. Although there is a mention of a supreme lord in this document there is no direct link to how this deity is important in the life of the individual. Another South Asian religion is Buddhism, which is described in Document 4. This religion stresses on the middle path, something the perfect one focuses on. This religion highlights the importance of balancing pleasure and suffering rather than following the direction of one supreme authority. Both documents 1 and 4 mention a supreme god, but do not mention the importance of this supreme deity in an individual’s life. An East Asian religion, Confucianism, as mentioned in Document 3, also stresses the importance of actions. This document talks about codes of acceptable behavior, which are to respect your elders and to be truthful. It also, unlike document 1 and 4 does not mention any supreme lord. The main focus is that one should stress on the importance of experience and age as opposed to following one supreme source. The document even mentions how we should use our spare energy for the literature and arts rather than

focusing on supreme guidance. The other East Asian religion mentioned in document 7 focuses on the teachings of Taoism. The pattern continues in this document of focusing on how to function correctly within one’s environment. This religion also stresses the importance of balance between real and abstract experiences. All four documents from both East Asia and South Asia focus on the same important concepts: experience is more important than supreme guidance and an individuals correct actions within their environment will lead them to live a harmonious life.
Religions associated with Southwest Asia focus on a single supreme authority and are more dictative and are less adjustable to one’s perception as compared to religions in South and East Asia.

Documents 2, 5, 6, and 8 all focus on one supreme lord. Documents 2 and 8 both highlight the teachings of Islam. These documents are centered around the importance of one specific god and making that god pleased with one’s actions. Document 8 also talks about humans actions being monitored and how these actions will be revealed and judged in the end. Documents 5 and 6 talk about Christianity and Judaism. These documents also have the same major concepts focused on central authority. Unlike documents 1, 3, 4 and 7, there is no sense of balance or freedom to interpret the teachings in different ways. In document 6 a new idea is mentioned when it introduces a messenger. This messenger is sent it enlighten, but it also states that this person’s message might not be accepted by the people. Overall all four documents are centered around the reason for existence, which is to follow the central authority’s path and to please them with your

actions.
As seen in these documents, South and East Asian religions stress the importance of achieving a balance with your environment and Southwestern religions focus on the direction of a supreme authority. The information that would be valuable for this essay is the geography of the regions. Since religions having common geographic origins tend to share similar beliefs, does the land they live in influence these beliefs? Since southwest Asia is predominately desert, does this affect why the region has different ideas as compared to South and East Asia where the land is different?