Question
How the cultures of Japan, China, India, and Africa, while examining the ways in which those cultures interacted with the Western world.
Solution
Introduction
The world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, have different historical backgrounds, but they have always been a force of peace. They evolved from pre-historic regions of the sub-Indian region and Vedic culture. Hinduism has numerous characteristics of traditional Indian beliefs, including the pursuit of self-discovery and the soul. Hinduism is a way of life for their believers. Buddhism, on the other end of the spectrum, relies on Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. It focuses on the need to avoid the self and end pain and long-suffering, as well as a deep understanding of the nature of life through meditation. Christianity has its roots in the roman-occupied Judea and spread throughout the Roman empire.[1] Christians believe and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as the son of God and the messiah. In the later civilizations, the religion spread to non-Jews across the eastern Mediterranean, where it eventually became an official government agency and state religion. Although the three world religions began in localized regions, for different reasons and based on diverse beliefs, they were also similar and different in terms of their economic influence on civilization. The three religions continue to influence the economy on a global scale.
Historical Context
The three major religions in the world have unique histories and impacts on the societies where they emerged. They differ in the way they were organized and the beliefs that led to their development. However, they had a similar impact in society, such as bringing order in their societies, creating peace, and helping believes in overcoming pain and suffering, such as caused by sickness. Regardless, they have unique historical development and their role in the local context. The three religions organized themselves in various ways. For example, when the Roma Catholic, one of the Christian religions, developed, it borrowed many of its organizing structures from the ancient Roman government. As a result, they turned senators to become cardinals. The religion uses terms such as denomination, ecclesia, and sects in defining the different kinds of organizations.[2] Religious scholars have also noted that the definitions are not statics and have changed with time as the religions interacted with other cultures. For example, the catholic church started as a cult, then evolved into a sect, and finally became an ecclesia. Such changes were common among the major religions.
Many religious activities and practices emerged as solutions to various societal problems, such as the attribution of illness with sin, Witcraft, or imbalance in nature. They were also meant to provide a source of living to the followers, which explains their continued influence on economic activities.[3] The relationships created an interest among historians to understand the ancient world religions. They used stories and artifacts from history and the practices that have persisted to-date. They have explored how the different societies created and used systems, such as religion and government. For example, if they came across a mummy who had trephination, they understand that the process involved shamans who conducted surgical operations for spiritual reasons. The different religions had their defining characteristics.[4] As a result, scholars could identify them based on their available practices and artifacts.
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, dating back more than 4,000 years. The religion emerged in the Indus River Valley. The region where it originated is now known as northwest India and Pakistan. The religion developed contemporaneously with ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures and societies. Its believers focused on a divine power manifested as diverse entities, such as Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. Some scholars argue that the manifestations are similar to the Christian Trinity. Hindus believed dharma (a set of principles that directed their lives). They also refer to the duty of the followers in the world that corresponded with “right” acts.[5] They also believe in karma or the idea of the existence of spiritual consequences for actions, currently and in the future, through reincarnation. As a result, Hindus strive to live a good life to avoid karma.
Buddhism is another major eastern religion. Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism around 500 B.C.E. it was argued that the founder of the religion gave up a life of comfort and luxury to lead that of lack and spiritual devotion. The religion is founded on the need for believers to seek enlightenment (bodhi) through practices, such as meditation. Siddhartha became Buddha (the “enlightened one”) after experiencing enlightenment for the first time. He created a monastic order after followers were attracted to his teachings and medication to achieve enlightenment. The teachings focus on a moral living by pursuing the “Four Noble Truths: 1) life is suffering, 2) suffering arises from attachment to desires, 3) suffering ceases when attachment to desires ceases, and 4) freedom from suffering is possible by following the “middle way.”[6] Buddhist thinking is also centered in the “middle way” idea. The thinking encourages Buddhists to live in the present and pursue the acceptance of other humans. Instead of focusing on godhead, they emphasize personal responsibility in life.
Christianity is the leading religion in the world, and the most spread across the globe. The religion that started 2,000 years ago has achieved the greatest prominence in the world. Christianity has its roots in Palestine, with Jesus of Nazareth, who is believed to be its founder. Jesus was a charismatic leader who encouraged his followers to be charitable and treats others like they would like to be treated. Believers derive their teaching and religious knowledge from the Bible. They also believe in the need to live a good life because Jesus, the Messiah, would come back to save His followers. Jesus is a major historical figure and a son of God, whom he sent to save believers. Unlike Hinduism and Buddhism, Christianity has numerous groups, such as the Roman Catholics, Mormons, and protestants. They describe One God has had three godheads (the Holy Trinity): “the Father (God), the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit”.[7] They also use the Ten Commandments as the decreed guiding principles and things to avoid, such as stealing, murder, and adultery. Christianity has a major impact on the livers of followers.
Western and Eastern Elements
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity emerged within the eastern culture, although the later spread to the rest of the world. They also have a huge impact on various aspects, including the economy. They remain relevant to the eastern cultures as a way of life and how the people who practice them make sense of humanity and morality. The eastern religious thought has always fascinated the western mind. For example, the three religions provide people in the eastern cultures with the physical, mental, and spiritual resources to cope with challenges in life. When faced with a life challenge, Hinduism proposes the need for meditation to overcome and cope with the suffering.[8] Although such ideas came into the western world, people prefer to be more practical when faced with problems. Thus, instead of praying and meditating, western culture will prefer to seek medical help or counseling to overcome psychological issues. The eastern religious traditions teach the followers to enter into a deep evacuation of the truest self.
Region in ancient societies, especially in India and China, played a critical role in relating medicine and society. They had strong beliefs about the role of social and cultural processes in various outcomes, such as illnesses. The societal beliefs, morals, and values mediated the positive or negative outcomes of the society, such as illness and other evils. The three religions also provided a source of hope for members of the relevant communities. Although such ideas have extended to other cultures in the West, they have not taken deep roots like in the east. For example, while the eastern cultures accepted the religious beliefs and norms in fullness, westerners use educational knowledge to evaluate the validity of teachings and even trust in what appears relevant to their cultural context.[9] As a result, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity models practiced in the West differs from the original beliefs taught in their original homes.
The religions have become largely diverse as they interacted with people in their eastern homes and western influence. For example, Hinduism has achieved traditional liberality and freedom, which allows followers to use different paths towards divinity. The religion in India inhabits three spaces. First, it has the “Village Hinduism”, which is based in rural India and accounts for 68% of the population. Space is occupied by “Little traditions” that combines ritual and shamanism. Secondly, religion has the “Sanskrit, Vedic Hinduism”, which is the “Great Tradition” that Brahmin priests, monastic orders, and pandits practice. They use ancient scripture and mythology. Finally, the “Renaissance Hinduism” is practiced by urban middle classes and is common in India and around the world based on teachings of missionary saints.[10] Such changes have occurred across other religions as they spread and influenced life outside India, China, and Palestine.
Historical Interaction and Economic Impact
Globalization and other processes that have allowed cultures to interact have had a major impact on the three religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. They have also affected the way the religions affect economic and political processes around the world. Economically, Hinduism aimed at using ethical principles in business operations and trading activities. Religion has an impact on more than 1.08 billion followers (2007) or 15% of the people in the world.[11] The religion is diverse and has allowed people around the world to pursue their paths to seek the divine. Hinduism affects economic and political processes through the belief in sacredness and morals. Besides, since all processes are interconnected, political and business actors have a moral duty to serve the earth and humanity. Some beliefs in Hinduism interact with other religious beliefs that focus on ethical life, such as the belief in karma, which makes people live an honest life. Regardless of the changes brought about by globalization and challenges, such as materialism, consumerism, and individualism, Hinduism followers, still prioritize spiritual than material wealth.
History has revealed the considerable influence of religion on business and trade processes in various parts of the world. Evidence from the Kursk region revealed such connections between religious activities and economic performance. Investment activities in Russia were associated with a religious tradition, including Orthodox Christianity, Protestantism, and Islam. Many religious traditions in the east and later the West, include economic doctrines, which influenced people to take considerable risks in trade. Besides, some religious traditions spread along with trade patterns from their original homes to other parts of the world. Orthodox Christianity and Protestantism contributed to mass investor’s tendency to generate profits and grow their entrepreneurial skills.[12] Christianity taught the need for investing in moral trade to grow materially as people grew spiritually. In the process, various religions, including Christianity, interacted with others, such as Islam. They had a major economic impact in countries, such as Russia and worldwide.
Buddhism has also affected economic, social, and political realities around the world. Religion has implications on how its believers are expected to behave economically. Researchers use theoretical frameworks to conceptualize how Buddhists engage in economic activities. Just like other religions, Buddhism focuses on the morality of economic principles, including how to work with others in the business. Max Weber’s work major impact on the way religious adherents engage in the economic sphere, as well as the implications of the economic arrangement on social and political lives. Buddhist economic exchanges around the world continue to affect and influence the socio-economic environment.[13] One of the effects is the dictates of how people from the faith and others should behave in business, such as the exercise of a high level of trust and honesty. Buddhist communities around the world continue to impact on the economic activities of their countries in which they exist. Their role is evident in the traditional cultures and the industrialized West.[14] They propose economic activities as the most effective way of earning a genuine living.
Conclusion
Religion has always played an important role in the lives of adherents. They focus on teaching how people should live and interact with others. Most of the religions started in the east and were aimed at helping people to overcome human suffering, such as disease and Witcraft. They all believed in the existence of a mighty power than controls everything that happens in the university. The most common eastern religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. The religions have some things in common, such as how they consider the role of religion in promoting a peaceful existence and the role in relieving human pain and suffering. However, they differed in their source and other teachings, such as the ultimate human destiny. Although the religions have their genesis in the east, they spread and interacted with western beliefs. They have also affected various aspects of life, such as the economy and political arrangements. Most of the eastern religions have strict rules, such as the use of medication to achieve enlightenment for the ten commandments that guide life in Christianity. On the contrary, western religions are more liberal in the way people interact with the divinity. Regardless of the differences, all religions continue to interact to create more liberal ideas that continue to affect human life and processes, such as economic investment.
Bibliography
Brox, Trine, and Elizabeth Williams-Oerberg. “Buddhism, Business, and Economics.” In The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Buddhism. 2017.
Eliot, Charles. Hinduism and Buddhism. Vol. 3. BoD–Books on Demand, 2019.
Gauthier, François. Religion in the neoliberal age: Political economy and modes of governance. Routledge, 2016.
Johnstone, Ronald L. Religion in society: A sociology of religion. Routledge, 2015.
Khan, Aftab Ahmad. “Just One God.” Defence Journal 18, no. 12 (2015): 34.
Monier-Williams, Monier. Buddhism, In its Connexion With Brahmanism and Hinduism, and In Its Contrast with Christianity. New York: Macmillan and Co, 2014.
Narayana, N. S. S. “Ancient Hindu principles of social and economic management: are they against globalisation?.” Journal of Social and Economic Development 13, no. 2 (2011): 1-45.
Podgornyi, B. B. “Economic Behavior and the Influence of Religious Traditions: (Statement of the Problem).” Russian social science review 53, no. 6 (2012): 43-61.
Williams-Oerberg, Elizabeth. “Introduction: Buddhism and Economics.” Journal of Global Buddhism 20 (2019): 19-29.
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