Asian Geographic - May 2022

132 Pages·2022·132.7 MB·English

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IN CONJUNCTION WITH
PHILIPPINES FRANCE MALAYSIA SINGAPORE AUSTRIA / PHILIPPINES
Manuel José Eric Aaron Dr Klaus
Libres Jeuland Goh Wong M. Stiefel
Librodo Jr.
and more judges to come...
WIN
4-DAY-3-NIGHT TRIP TO BOHOL OR CORON IN THE PHILIPPINES
sponsored by TPB Philippines
Official Adventure
Destination Partner
Images of Asia Monthly winners and finalists are featured on the Asian Geographic website, www.asiangeo.com
Photos from past IOA winners and finalists: Grace Ho (Malaysia), Nicholas Ng (Malaysia), Sirsendu Gayen (India),
Ho Sinsee (Malaysia), Chen Chit Chuang (Malaysia), Yoshi Shimizu (Japan), Donell Gumiran (Philippines)
THE FAITHS OF ASIA
Religion
Decoded
Delving into the prominent world religions –
Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Sikhism and Zoroastrianism – this issue follows
the birth and spread of these faiths, and their
diverse beliefs and customs that have withstood
the test of time. As you traverse the rich history
of these religions, journey to every corner of Asia
where sacred sites, from mosques to mountains,
await the footsteps of curious adventurers.
From the powerful symbolism of snakes to the
practice of worshipping young girls as incarnations
of divine female energy, explore intriguing
aspects of the region’s different belief systems,
and discover why religious faith remains a living,
breathing force in Asia.
CONTENTS
• The Roots and Branches of Buddhism (Page 4)
• Crosses Across Asia (Page 24)
• One Religion, Many Gods (Page 40)
• A Tumultuous History (Page 54)
• The World’s Largest Community Kitchen (Pag 66)
• A Persian Religion (Page 74)
• The Worshipped Child (Page 86)
• Power in Venom (Page 96)
• Faith for Earth (Page 106)
PASSPORT
• Sacred Sites in the Philippines (Page 115)
ASIA FESTIVAL GUIDE (2022–23) (Page 124)
▶
Religious adherents from all
corners of Asia express their
devotion through prayer
Images: Shutterstock

NO SMALL TREE
Roots
The
Branches

and
Buddhism
of
Text Sienna Lakin
Buddhism, one of the longest-standing
and widest-spread religions, has – since its
origins in northeast India – moved across
Asia and the entire world, branching out and
taking on divergent forms along the way.
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A monk meditating utt
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of the Buddha
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feature | The Roots and Branches of Buddhism
Buddhism emerged in northeastern India between the
6th century and the early 4th century BCE – a time that
witnessed a myriad of religions rising, clashing, and spreading.
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▴ ▾
Mural paintings The Triratna represents the “three
tell the story jewels” of Buddhism: Buddha, the
Buddhism developed from the teachings of the about Buddha dharma, and the sangha
Buddha (“The Awakened One” in Sanskrit), a
teacher who lived in northern India. Like many
of the sects that developed in northeastern India
at the time, Buddhism was constituted by the
teachings of the Triratna, the “Three Jewels” of
Buddhism – Buddha (the teacher), dharma (the
teaching), and sangha (the community). The
dates of his birth and death are disputed. Whilst
many scholars believe that the Buddha lived from
around 563 to 483 BCE, others argue it was nearly
100 years later, from around 448 to 368 BCE.
Northeastern India – which was less influenced
by Vedic tradition – became the new ground for
Buddhism and its sects. Buddhism then spread
from India to China, Korea, and Japan, as well as
to Southeast Asia via Sri Lanka. Buddhism played Buddhism played a central role in the
a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social spiritual, cultural, and social spheres of
spheres of Asia, and began to spread to the West Asia, and began to spread to the West
from the 20th century onwards. from the 20th century onwards
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Two fundamental sects that arose at the time have reached enlightenment but returned to the
of the Buddha were the Ajivikas and the Jains. human company to teach.
Diverging from other Buddhist denominations, As Buddhism spread, it encountered new
both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the reinterpretations of thought. In some Mahayana
permanence of the elements that constitute the communities, strict practices were mediated. For
universe and the existence of the soul. example, the law of karma – a notion explaining
Over time, two major branches of Buddhism that virtuous actions resulted in pleasure and
emerged, Mahayana (“Great Vehicle”) and non-virtuous actions led to punishment in the
Theravada (“School of the Elders”), while a third, future – adopted a gentler approach with a new
Vajrayana (“Diamond Vehicle”), is considered by emphasis on ritual and devotional practices
scholars to be an aspect of Mahayana Buddhism to achieve the same effects. This bolstered
or an entirely separate branch. its spread and number of followers due to its
The origins of these movements and others heightened obtainability.
are complex and poorly understood. In simple The Vajrayana tradition, also known as
terms, Theravada, which is considered the more Tantric Buddhism, developed in India in the
conservative tradition, established itself in Sri latter half of the 1st millennium CE. Its practices
Lanka around the 3rd century BCE. It teaches make use of mantras, chants, poses, mandalas,
a monastic lifestyle that emphasises meditation as and the visualisation of deities and Buddhas.
a means of achieving enlightment. This movement was influenced by magical and
Mahayana Buddhism, the more liberal school, spiritual notions of the time, and gave those who
developed in India from around the 1st century followed it an easier, simpler, and speedier means
BCE and is practised in East and South Asian to obtain the desired spiritual liberation, purity,
countries such as China, India, Japan, Korea, and enlightenment.
Mongolia, and Tibet. The main teachings follow
▾
the role models of bodhisattvas – beings who Situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, Abhayagiri
Vihara was a major monastery site of Mahayana,
Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism
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feature | The Roots and Branches of Buddhism
◀
The Sukothai
Historical Park,
Thailand, a
UNESCO World
Heritage Site
▾
The 71-metre-tall
Leshan Giant Buddha,
in China’s Sichuan
ck province, was carved
o
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er
utt the 8th century CE
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