Asia’s Culture Part Asia’s Culture Part IIII Mrs. SumlinMrs. Sumlin Ms. SeabrooksMs. Seabrooks

Southeast/Southeast/East Asia East Asia

TraditionsTraditions Some Buddhists choose to live in a Some Buddhists choose to live in a

monasteries where stricter monasteries where stricter requirements apply.requirements apply.

Other Buddhist greatly respect Other Buddhist greatly respect those who choose to live as monks. those who choose to live as monks.

They (monks) are considered They (monks) are considered among the “three jewels” of among the “three jewels” of Buddhism with the Dharma, or Buddhism with the Dharma, or religious teachings and Buddha.religious teachings and Buddha.

RitualsRituals In both Hinduism and Buddhism In both Hinduism and Buddhism

meditation is an important practice.meditation is an important practice. Most include either physical or Most include either physical or

mental control and relaxation.mental control and relaxation. Both religions pray, but the form and Both religions pray, but the form and

direction differ.direction differ. Hindus pray to many gods that Hindus pray to many gods that

Buddhists do not worship.Buddhists do not worship. However, several Buddhists countries However, several Buddhists countries

do pray to spirits and ancestors.do pray to spirits and ancestors.

Other ReligionsOther ReligionsThere are many small religions groups in Asia.There are many small religions groups in Asia. The largest and most vocal group are the The largest and most vocal group are the

Sikhs.Sikhs. This religion originated in the 15This religion originated in the 15thth century. century. It combines beliefs of Hinduism and Islam.It combines beliefs of Hinduism and Islam. Some Sikhs in recent decades have become Some Sikhs in recent decades have become

quite militant ().quite militant (). Hindus and Muslims were given there own Hindus and Muslims were given there own

nations on the Subcontinent, but the Sikhs nations on the Subcontinent, but the Sikhs were not and want their own homeland. were not and want their own homeland.

ChinaChina

Other Means of Other Means of DivisionDivision Religious differences are not the only Religious differences are not the only

source of cultural division in Asia.source of cultural division in Asia. Languages also pose problems there.Languages also pose problems there. In India and China large numbers of In India and China large numbers of

ethnic groups with their own language ethnic groups with their own language and culture live within the borders.and culture live within the borders.

People in India speak over 100 People in India speak over 100 languages and Chinese speak more than languages and Chinese speak more than 50. 50.

Different languages makes Different languages makes communication difficult.communication difficult.

Mandarin ChineseMandarin Chinese The Communist government in The Communist government in

China established Mandarin China established Mandarin Chinese as the official language.Chinese as the official language.

All schools, newspapers, books All schools, newspapers, books and radios speak Mandarin.and radios speak Mandarin.

This effort was to help unify the This effort was to help unify the country, but viewed by many as country, but viewed by many as wiping out ethnic groups.wiping out ethnic groups.

TibetansTibetans Tibet was taken over by China in Tibet was taken over by China in

1950 and many Tibetans including 1950 and many Tibetans including the Dalai Lama went into exile in the Dalai Lama went into exile in India.India.

Some have begun “escaping back” Some have begun “escaping back” to their homeland to try to prevent to their homeland to try to prevent the destruction of their culture.the destruction of their culture.

Some who were deprived over Some who were deprived over learning their own language are learning their own language are learning it in India and returning to learning it in India and returning to teach it to people in Tibet.teach it to people in Tibet.

OverpopulationOverpopulation The greatest cultural problem The greatest cultural problem

faced by Asians is overpopulation.faced by Asians is overpopulation. China has insufficient land to grow China has insufficient land to grow

crops and feed it growing crops and feed it growing population.population.

The rugged terrain and dense The rugged terrain and dense population allows only about 10% population allows only about 10% of the land to be farmed.of the land to be farmed.

ONE CHILD POLICYONE CHILD POLICY In 1979 the Chinese government In 1979 the Chinese government

implemented the One Child Policy.implemented the One Child Policy. It was supposed to reverse It was supposed to reverse

population growth.population growth. It has slowed the birth rate, but It has slowed the birth rate, but

given rise to human rights violations.given rise to human rights violations. Law officials have often used force.Law officials have often used force. Abortion, abandonment and murder Abortion, abandonment and murder

of female babies have left an uneven of female babies have left an uneven ration of males to females in China. ration of males to females in China.

Indian SubcontinentIndian Subcontinent This area is dangerously This area is dangerously

overpopulated resulting in poverty.overpopulated resulting in poverty. The government and organizations The government and organizations

have tried to help but numbers have have tried to help but numbers have only decreased slightly.only decreased slightly.

This is because of the This is because of the overpopulation.overpopulation.

Area also has low literacy rates and Area also has low literacy rates and low life expectancy.low life expectancy.

StatisticsStatistics 51% of India’s population can not read 51% of India’s population can not read

and 61% females can not read or and 61% females can not read or write.write.

China and India both suffer from anti-China and India both suffer from anti-female attitudes and there are 927 female attitudes and there are 927 females for every 1,000 males.females for every 1,000 males.

2.2 million babies die each year.2.2 million babies die each year. 53% of children are malnourished.53% of children are malnourished. 85% have access to fresh water, but is 85% have access to fresh water, but is

decreasing because of increasing decreasing because of increasing drought and pollution.drought and pollution.

Social problems and overpopulation Social problems and overpopulation resulting in poverty seriously threaten resulting in poverty seriously threaten this region. this region.

Comprehension Comprehension QuestionsQuestions 1. 1. DescribeDescribe some of the basic some of the basic

beliefs beliefs andand practices of Hinduism. practices of Hinduism. 2. 2. DescribeDescribe some of the basic some of the basic

beliefs beliefs andand practices of Buddhism. practices of Buddhism. 3. 3. DescribeDescribe some cultural some cultural

differences that exist within some differences that exist within some of Asia’s countries of Asia’s countries andand howhow those those differences differences affectaffect the countries. the countries.

4. 4. ExplainExplain some of the some of the major major social problemssocial problems that affect the that affect the countries of Asia. countries of Asia.