The Impact of Religion on Asia

Throughout history, religion has played a major role in the formation of the diverse lands known as Asia. Influencing the political institutions and social structures of these lands, religion became the vehicle to transmit thought. In turn, this affected the lifestyle and behavioral patterns of Asia according to its religion/philosophy. However, religion went beyond spirituality. Through religion, oppressive measures were justified by the elite, ultimately causing the segregation of the classes and its divisions. Religion also promoted the inequality between gender relations through ideological beliefs, oftentimes portraying women as a temptation towards evil or the cause of chaos. Ultimately, this resulted in their delegation to restricted role in society.
Due to this harsh environment, many suppressed groups formed together and sought new religions that better reflected their plight. Religions such as: Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, Nicheren Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Islam, grew in popularity, while at the same time introducing a new perspective in thought. However, these religions were never able to supplant the dominant religions of Hinduism (India), Confucianism (China and Korea), and Buddhism (Japan).

India: Hinduism and Islam
From the grass roots of religion in India, sectarianism of classes has been dominant in its social structure. Drawing from mythical stories of Aryan forefathers whom claim to have been great warriors and conquerors, India has placed an emphasis on this warrior caste or "jati" in which dominance over others is evident throughout most of India's history. Hinduism, the first dominant religion in India spawned from its Aryan roots. It possessed a non-religious system which evolved into the means of imposing a social order on an otherwise chaotic society. Organization of Indian society was separated into functional units, or castes, that was related to occupation. The four original "varna" or occupations was: priests (the highest status in society), warriors, merchants, and farmers. Movement between castes was forbidden (e.g. marriage), and the sharing of food or water was strictly confined to with those of a similar caste. Caste purity was paramount in Hinduism, for intermarriage and the changing of castes, would lead to disorder by undermining the mutual benefits promoted by the caste system. Such benefits would include the settling of disputes, working as a common interest group in which the welfare of all members was emphasized (thus providing the basic needs), the arrangement of marriages, and the common goal to raise the caste's relative status. However, with the death of King Harsha in 648 where medieval India and Hinduism reached its pinnacle, India fell into a long period of internal disunion and factional fighting, ultimately leaving them susceptible to a Munghal invasion in 1526.

The Munghal's were of Turkish heritage and was greatly influenced by the Persian culture. Munghal, which is Persian for Mongol, conquered India in 1526 under the leadership of Babur (whom claimed ancestral links to Chinghis Khan). Against larger enemy forces, Babur and his Turco-Afghan troops defeated the Delhi sultanate and declared northern India under the rule of the Munghal dynasty. During this dynasty's reign, India blossomed under Akbar (R.1555-1605) and fell to ruins under Aurangzeb in 1761. When India was conquered, a new religion was introduced as the result of its foreign rulers. Islam, which originated in Arabia, spread throughout the Middle East in 832 through jihad or "holy war". Conversion was accomplished either through preaching or through warfare. In India, Islam, which preached equality (except for women), was an attractive alternative to Hinduism (which was based on a hierarchical ordering of groups). However, that was not the only reason for one-forth of India to convert to Muslim. Other reasons included: conversion in order to avoid paying a "heathen tax" imposed to those of "other" religions, political advancement in a predominantly Islamic government, an increasing Muslim migration to India (which further spread the teachings of Islam), and the perception of Islam as an "advanced" modern religion. As a result, India went through a period of dramatic social change and development. Social classes were restructured and the blossoming of foreign influence on technology and thought increased, resulting in a new vernacular script and language, new architectural buildings of Persian design, and a new form of Indian-Munghal art. Nonetheless, most of these accomplishments were made during the rule of Akbar. After his death, a series of successions ensued where India's stability gradually deteriorated. Aurangzeb, the last of the Munghal rulers, reversed most of Akbar's humanitarian decrees and ruled instead with a firm and cruel hand. As a result, sect groups developed (i.e. Sikhs, Rajuts, and Marathas) and fought against the Aurangzeb's rule, ultimately weakening each other while paving the way for a new foreign invasion by the Europeans.

China: Buddhism and Confucianism
Throughout China's history, Confucianism has played the most important role in shaping the social and political structure of its people. With an emphasis in the pursuit of refinement and cultivation, Confucianism has affected the perceptions and beliefs of the Chinese. At the administrative level, the top of the Confucian hierarchy was the emperor whom had the "Mandate of Heaven" and was seen as the embodiment of "qi" or proper etiquette. Getting advice from the "shi" or scholar-officials, the emperor ruled the land through many branches of officials dispersed throughout China. Within Confucianism, an emphasis on learning was promoted and was ultimately tested by the civil service exam, potentially leading to a career as an official. Etiquette and behavior was fundamental in Confucianism, in which, elders (especially those of family) were to be held in high regard and respected. As for the role of women, Confucian texts usually portrayed women as the cause of chaos, oftentimes linked to the fall of kings and lords, and were thus to be avoided. They were further subjugated to restrictive measures that confined their movements through foot-bindings (as compared to India and its Islamic garb used to hide the "seductive" bodies of women) and were solely seen as producers of offspring or as objects to be owned. However, like India, China too was subject to internal skirmishes and overbearing taxes despite the Confucian ideologies. With the constant struggle against the Mongols, many lives were lost and harsh taxes were imposed in order to sustain the war. As a result, a new philosophy developed in order to make sense of its environment.
Taoism, which was created by Lao Tzu, was a response to the harsh environment that ensued after the fall of the T'ang Dynasty. With its emphasis on non-action, many Chinese either came to accept their harsh conditions or gave up their ways and let nature (an important aspect of Tao or "The Way") take its course. This was quite a dramatic change in perception in the social structure due to its emphasis on the individual rather than the well being of the whole (which Confucianism stressed). As a result, Taoism attracted many followers, yet was unable to supplant the pre-existing mentality of traditional Confucius thought.
Japan: Shinto and Buddhism
In Japanese history, China, which was Japan's role model, greatly influenced its social and political structures. From the Nara Ritsuryo administrative system, to the daily activities of Heian court life, Japan was almost a mirror image of Sino-culture. However, prior to increased Sino-Japanese trade and interaction, Shintoism was the dominant religion where the worship of "kami" or the spirits found in all objects, was practiced. Through the supposed ancestral lineage to Amaterasu, The Sun Goddess, the emperor had the title of a demigod and head priest. As a result, Shintoism gave the "divine" emperor the justification to rule. However, Shintoism was a primitive religion when compared to Buddhism. From its origins in India, Mahayana Buddhism spread throughout China by travelling monks along caravans. From China, Buddhism was able to spread to Korea and ultimately Japan. With its rich artwork and religious artifacts, Buddhism appealed to the aristocracy of Japan. Later developing into a symbol of social status and cultivation. With the popularity of Buddhism, many schools of orthodox Buddhist thought developed. Of the schools, Mount Tendai was the central figure of Buddhist teachings within Japan. However, during the Heian times and afterwards, monks of the Tendai school became increasingly involved in "worldly" affairs, mainly that of politics. As a result, many factions of the Tendai school began to break off and form their own interpretations of scriptures and sutras in the hopes of finding alternative ways to nirvana which would appeal to the masses. Such schools as Nicheren and Pure Land Buddhism were successful in its inclusion of the peasants by declaring that salvation could be achieved simply by chanting a nimbutsu. As a result, Buddhism became available to the masses, resulting in a change in social behavior and the perceptions of daily life. However, another form of Buddhism came to Japan through China. Zen Buddhism, which emphasized the pursuit of internal harmony through rigid discipline, appealed to the samurai, ultimately furthering their advancement in martial skills and mental development.


Throughout Asian history, religion has shaped the peoples of India, China, and Japan into the countries that we know today. Through religion, political institutions were able to administer its people according to the dominant theological and ideological thought. However, most of the religions promoted the suppression of the weak, while elevating the elite, as well as "maleness". In response, alternate or reactionary religions developed and provided the means for escape, although, these alternative religions were unable to supplant the traditional and dominant beliefs and thoughts. Religion, however, did serve beneficial purposes and was not always entangled with warring or chaotic states. Some religions, such as Confucianism, were able to unite the Chinese, promote education, while providing a sense of nationalism throughout its land. On the macro level, Buddhism, and to a lesser degree, Confucianism, religion was able to unify about three-quarters of Asia. As a result, it provided us with an insight to social conditions and its responses, trade patterns, architecture, as well as art work, all in all leading us to a better and deeper understanding of the Asian culture.