There are many similarities and differences found in the religions of India and the Far East. Some of the religions of India include Hinduism and Jainism and of the Far East include Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto which is not considered to be a religion in the same sense as traditional religions but an important element of Japanese spirituality, honoring spirits and things coming to be. Hinduism is described as a “range from extreme sensuality, heights of personal devotion of a deity to philosophical perspective.” (Living Religions, Fisher) Hinduism is a polytheistic religion with said to have over 330 million deities. Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto are polytheistic as well, worshipping or honoring various gods for many reasons
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There are also the Four noble truths and the Eightfold path to liberation, they have a Wheel of birth and death which is a guide to life. Nirvana is the goal of practice. Unlike the other religions, Jainism is non theistic with no soul to continue on or be reborn. Similarly, in Daoism, they practice wu wei (noninterference) which means the world is naturally in harmony and people must live in this harmony. The emperors created a Mandate of Heaven which justified their rules. Yijing is their classic text which they follow. One of their life goals is inner alchemy, meaning each person is on an individual journey of spiritual practice, seeking inner transformation and longevity. The body is said to contain a micro universe, divided into three treasures which are the generative forces (jing) vital life force (qi) and the spirit (shen). In Confucianism, the moral virtue is between human rulers and Heaven. Society will be saved by ren (innate goodness), live, and perfect virtue. Festivals are an important part of all of these religions. In Hinduism, there is praying and fasting as well as festivals to honor the divine ones. Jainism has Mahavira which is praying and fasting. Vesaks is an important festival for their culture. Shinto has very unique festivals including a festival that begins four months before the birth of a child because this period is considered the time when the spirit enters the body, another festival at 22-23 days old, at age 13 for boys, 16 for girls, and 61,77, and 88. These festivals are for spiritual awareness and ritualism. There are seasonal festivals for agriculture, parades, and News Year festivals which is a national day of
There are also the Four noble truths and the Eightfold path to liberation, they have a Wheel of birth and death which is a guide to life. Nirvana is the goal of practice. Unlike the other religions, Jainism is non theistic with no soul to continue on or be reborn. Similarly, in Daoism, they practice wu wei (noninterference) which means the world is naturally in harmony and people must live in this harmony. The emperors created a Mandate of Heaven which justified their rules. Yijing is their classic text which they follow. One of their life goals is inner alchemy, meaning each person is on an individual journey of spiritual practice, seeking inner transformation and longevity. The body is said to contain a micro universe, divided into three treasures which are the generative forces (jing) vital life force (qi) and the spirit (shen). In Confucianism, the moral virtue is between human rulers and Heaven. Society will be saved by ren (innate goodness), live, and perfect virtue. Festivals are an important part of all of these religions. In Hinduism, there is praying and fasting as well as festivals to honor the divine ones. Jainism has Mahavira which is praying and fasting. Vesaks is an important festival for their culture. Shinto has very unique festivals including a festival that begins four months before the birth of a child because this period is considered the time when the spirit enters the body, another festival at 22-23 days old, at age 13 for boys, 16 for girls, and 61,77, and 88. These festivals are for spiritual awareness and ritualism. There are seasonal festivals for agriculture, parades, and News Year festivals which is a national day of