Human Geography, continued

Buddhism

Around 535 BCE in northern India, a prince by the name of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) broke from the local traditions that shaped Hinduism.

The Buddha (Siddhartha Guatama) taught religious salvation (enlightenment or Nirvana) through:

Meditation
the rejection of earthly desires
reverence for all life forms

Statue of Buddha Siddhartha is recognized as the first Buddha. He taught that through many cycles of rebirth a person can attain enlightenment and no longer have a need for desire or selfish interests. To Buddhists, enlightenment is being free from suffering and is reaching a state of liberation often referred to as Nirvana. According to Buddhism, life is dictated by karma, which connects our actions with future experiences.

Buddhism is the religion of the majority in Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, and most of Southeast Asia. It was prominent in China, Mongolia, and North Korea before their governments adopted Communist ideology. Communist governments officially announced that their countries were nonreligious, although many people still followed religious systems.

All branches of Buddhism teach nonviolence, honesty, selflessness, tolerance, and moral living. Buddhism holds to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path (The Middle Way) to enlightenment. Buddhists believe that suffering is a standard component of humanity. Only through the Eightfold Path to enlightenment is freedom from suffering possible. Enlightenment comes through wisdom, ethical conduct, and meditation.

The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path

The Four Noble Truths

Suffering exists.
Suffering arises from attachment to desires.
Suffering ceases when desire ceases.
Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path.

The Middle Way or Eightfold Path

Attainable through wisdom

Right view (1)
Right intention (2)

Attainable through ethical conduct

Right speech (3)
Right action (4)
Right livelihood (5)

Attainable through meditation

Right effort (6)
Right mindfulness (7)
Right concentration (8)

Sikhism

Punjab region Map

The Sikhism, although often overshadowed by the more popular Hinduism and Islamic faith, has a substantial following in the Punjab region of South Asia. It is a monotheistic, universalizing religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev whereby salvation is attained through leading a moral life.

The Punjab Region has territory in both Pakistan and India.

The core of the religion is centered on justice and faith in the universal God. In addition, there is a high importance placed on the principle of equality between all people in the Sikh religion. Sikhs believe there should be no discrimination based on gender, creed, caste, or ethnicity and that salvation can be obtained through devotion to God through disciplined meditation.

During the British colonial occupation of South Asia, Sikhs were elevated to positions of power to help the British rule over Muslim and Hindu populations. Many Sikhs would like to have their own nation-state, free from Muslim or Hindu domination. They would like to see the Punjab region become the new homeland for this nation-state, called Khalistan. To this end, Sikhs have held rallies and demonstrations to promote the creation of Khalistan. Since the creation of Khalistan does not have the support of the Pakistani or Indian governments, it is not likely to become a reality any time soon. Khalistan is an example of the devolutionary push for a nation-state political unit for a particular group of people with similar aspirations or heritage.

Photo of Sikh man at the Golden Temple

^{Historically, traditional Sikh men wear turbans on their heads and never cut their hair or beard. The "Golden Temple" is the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism. It is located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India.}

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.