AP Human GeographyMrs. Bellisari

Universalizing Religions Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism (coverts are welcomed), Bahá’í

(unity)o Some proselytize Christianity and Islam most vehementlyo Buddhism also has missionaries that spread Buddha’s wordo Sikhs do NOTs

Distribution is dispersed throughout the world Holidays based on founder Have to be a believer to be a member Expansion Diffusion

Buddhism• Buddhism founded in 6th century BCE by Prince Siddhartha known to

his followers as Gautama• Buddha unhappy with Hinduism's caste system• Buddhism (and Jainism) both grew out of protest to Hinduism

Diffusion of Buddhism• Faith grew slowly after Buddha died in 489 B.C.• Emperor Asoka carried the faith across India and to the outside world

along with missionaries• As Buddhism spread, it declined in India = _______________ diffusion• Located today in China, Korea, Japan

Buddhism – Basic Beliefs4 Noble Truths:

• All beings must suffer• Suffering is caused by desires which

leads to reincarnation• Goal of life: End cycle of suffering

by achieving Nirvana• Achieve Nirvana by following the

Eightfold Path

Branches of BuddhismMahayana – 56%Theravada – 38%Tantrayana – 6% - found mostly in Tibet and Mongolia

Reasons for Split• Disagreements about how to follow Buddha properly • Mahayanists - good actions, helping others• Theravada – more demanding, must be a monk,

self-meditation and purificationBuddhism’s impact on the Cultural landscape

• Bodhi tree: another symbol of the faith• Sacred structures: pagodas and stupas

Pagoda • Modern pagoda came from the Indian stupa • Tomb-like structure where sacred relics are

stored• Relics: pieces of Buddha’s body or his clothing• No congregation/worship• Self-meditation likely to take place nearby

Holidays: Branches of Buddhism celebrate important events on various days (birth, enlightenment, death of Buddha)

Christianity

Hearth:

Types of Diffusion: Hierarchical:

- The work of Jesus and his disciples-

Contagious: - Spread throughout Western Europe after fall of Rome- Spread throughout Eastern Europe from Constantinople

Relocation:-- Work of missionaries who are VERY aggressive

Branches of Christianity- 1st Split – East-West Schism: 1054

o Roman Catholic Church – hierarchal religion – pope, archbishops, bishops, priests

o Eastern Orthodox Church Several denominations – Russian Orthodox the largest

Causes for the Split: leadership issues

- 2nd Split: Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)o Catholic Churcho Protestants

Several denominations – Lutheranism largest in the worldCause for split: Disputes about church practices

Other Hierarchal religions – Latter Day Saints –Mormons have strong organization, primarily in Utah and areas of surrounding states.

- Wards- 750 people each- Stake- 5,000 people each

*the board and president will often redraw boundaries to reflect ideal standards

Holidays:Protestants and Roman Catholics use Gregorian calendar as opposed to Orthodox Christians who use Julian calendar. Some holidays like Easter are celebrated on different daysChristians around the world associate holidays with different seasons.

Sacred Sites for Christianity – Impact on LandscapeChurch of the Nativity – Bethlehem

Since Christianity split into many denominations – there is no single style of church construction

Christian Churches were often built at the highest point or most strategic location. Gothic churches such as Notre Dame were built in the shape of a cross.

Eastern Orthodox are highly ornate. Protestant churches in N. America are simple,

reflecting conception that church is a meeting hall for the congregation.

IslamHearth:

Types of Diffusion: Slow to diffuse – Muhammad forced to flee to Madinah (Medina) – known as the Hegira (hijrah)

Contagious Diffusion - After Muhammad’s death

Spread west to Spain & east to Pakistan/India/Bangladesh

Relocation and Expansion Diffusion - Today – it is the fastest growing religion

Work of missionaries Immigrant workers from N. Africa and Turkey Immigration to the U.S., W. Europe

Branches of Islam Shiite Sunni

Cause of split: Death of Muhammad w/ no clear successor (caliph)Shiites believe Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law is rightful successor – must be a descendant of Muhammad

Sunnis prevailed – follow caliphs (always male)- can be democratically elected and follow Muhammad’s example

Bloody Intrafaith Dispute in Iraq Majority of Iraqi’s are Shiite Saddam’s Ba’ath party was Sunni Al Qaeda is a Sunni organization

Sacred Spaces: Impact on the Landscape: The Dome of the Rock at Jerusalem – the place where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into heaven.

- Built 60 years after Prophet's death (632)

- Site of altar where Ishmael was to be sacrificed

Mecca (Mekkah)- is the birthplace of prophet Muhammad

- Each able bodied Muslim is required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

- Focal point for daily prayers.- Site of 2 million pilgrimages

annually.- Sacred site, Ka’ba was built by

Abraham and his son Ishmael.

- Five pillars of faith must be followed by Muslims.

o Shahadaho Salato Zakato Sawn of Ramadan

o HajjMinarets – towers to call people to pray

HolidaysUnlike Jewish calendar which adds a month every few years to match agricultural and solar calendar, Islam keeps a strict lunar calendar This means holidays such as Ramadan will occur in different seasons, effecting length of fasting agricultural activity, etc.SikhismHearth: India approximately 500 years ago (Punjab region – Northern India)

- Guru Nanak traveled throughout Asia preaching about his new belief and his disciples became known as Sikhs

- Syncretic religion in Punjab state of Indiao Combines Hinduism w/ Islam

- Universalizing or Ethnic religion?- Proclaims universal truth (the “sat nam”)- Spatially clustered - Does NOT proselytize

Sacred Places- Impact on the Landscape-Golden Temple at Amritsar (Darbar Sahib) – the holiest book the Guru Granth Shaib is housed in this temple

Bahai:Hearth: Iran in the 19th century

- Goal to create a universal faith for all people

Burials – religious beliefs are important to what happens when people dieCemeteries may consume much space in busy city – used by some Christians and Muslims as public open space. For example, Paris. Cemetery had to be moved due to floods -1800’s. Today, one can take tours of underground stacked bones!Traditional Chinese burial practices take up 10% of rural land. Gov’t encourages cremation. Christians, Muslims, and Jews bury their dead in cemeteries. In ancient Rome, Christians used underground passages to protect the faithful when religion was illegal.

Syncretic religions- An intermixing of a major faith and traditional cultural elements

- Christianity mixing with traditional Norse (No. Eur.) elements (Easter Bunny – Eostre festival coincides with Christ’s resurrection) Eostre- Goddess of dawn, spring and fertility)

- Saint Mary (Virgen Maria) in Latin America- Santeria in Caribbean (voodoo)- Sikhism- Hinduism in Bali