The Spread of Christianity and Islam

1. The Spread of Christianity and Islam

2. How did Christianity Spread? By the 1400s, Christian Catholic Church was the dominant religion in Europe. Almost all Europeans were Catholics. When the New World was “discovered” by Europeans in 1492, the Catholic Church sent missionaries there to convert the native Incas and Aztecs.

3. How did Christianity Spread? The Incas and Aztecs believed that the conquistadores (soldiers sent to the New World by the Spanish monarchy to conquer it) were gods and welcomed them. Soon, however, it was clear what the conquistadores had come to do: take the wealth of the Incas and Aztecs. When they resisted, whole cities were destroyed. Incan and Aztec temples were destroyed and their priests were killed. The natives were forced to adopt Christianity or face execution.

4. How did Christianity Spread? The native people who survived were forced to work on large Spanish plantations called encomiendas. The conditions were terrible. The Catholic missionaries worked hard to help the native laborers. They provided food and medical assistance the best they could.

5. How did Christianity Spread? The priests who converted the native people taught them to read and write Spanish so they could read the Bible. Many Spanish priests also learned the native language so they could communicate more effectively with the natives. The priests burned many of the native religious texts because they wanted the converted natives to remain Christian.

6. How did Islam Spread? At the time of Mohammad’s death in 632 CE (AD), Islam had already spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula. When he died, Islam continued to spread throughout the Middle East. Large and powerful Muslim armies conquered land throughout the Middle East. Any polytheistic people they conquered were forced to convert or face execution. Jews and Christians were allowed to continue practicing their faith.

7. How did Islam Spread? Islam spread very quickly. By the year 750 CE (AD), all of the Middle East, North Africa, and most of Spain were under Muslim control. Many people in these areas converted to Islam. Schools were opened in major cities so that children could learn to read the Qu’ran.

8. How did Islam spread? The Muslim Empire controlled a lot of valuable trade goods, like silks and spices from Asia. Therefore, many African societies had to interact with the Muslim Empire in order to trade. This interaction through trade helped spread Islam throughout Africa. The best example of this was when the Malian King Mansa Musa traveled to Mecca in 1324. When he returned to the his country a year later, he turned the city of Timbuktu into a center of Islamic culture and art. He built schools and mosques.

9. How did Islam Spread? Mansa Musa also made Arabic the official language of his empire. In order to read the Qu’ran, all Muslims must be literate in the Arabic language. This created a sense of unity among all the Muslims throughout the world. Islamic art and architecture is based on geometric design and calligraphy (fancy writing). It is seen as a way to celebrate the glory of Allah. This style of architecture also spread throughout the Muslim world.

11. What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'. It has its origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.

12. Who Was the Buddha? Siddhartha Gotama was born into a royal family in northern India, in 563 BC. At 29, he realized that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored the different teachings religions and philosophies of the day, to find the key to human happiness. After six years of study and meditation he finally found 'the middle path‘ and was enlightened. After enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism - called the Dhamma, or Truth - until his death at the age of 80.

13. Was the Buddha a God? He was not, nor did he claim to be. He was a man who taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.

14. Do Buddhists Worship Idols? Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favors. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching.

15. Are Other Religions Wrong? Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of other religions but Buddhism goes further by providing a long term purpose within our existence, through wisdom and true understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like 'Christian', Moslem','Hindu' or 'Buddhist'; that's why there have never been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism. That is also why Buddhists do not preach and try to convert, only explain if an explanation is sought.

16. What did the Buddha Teach? The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

17. What is the First Noble Truth? The first truth is that life is suffering ie, life includes pain, getting old disease and ultimately death. We also endure psycho-logical suffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. This is an irrefutable fact that cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because pessimism is expecting things to be bad. lnstead, Buddhism explains how suffer-ing can be avoided and how we can be truly happy.

18. What is the Second Noble Truth? The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. We will suffer if we expect other people to conform to our expectation, if we want others to like us, if we do not get something we want,etc. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your wanting. Wanting deprives us of contentment and happiness. A lifetime of wanting and craving and especially the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful energy which causes the individual to be born. So craving leads to physical suffering because it causes us to be reborn.

19. What is the Third Noble Truth? The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf we give up useless caving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana.

20. What is the Fourth Noble Truth? The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.

21. What is the Noble 8-Fold Path? In summary, the Noble 8-fold Path is being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focusing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others.

22. What are the 5 Precepts? The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are: 1) not to take the life of anything living, 2) not to take anything not freely given, 3) to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence, 4) to refrain from untrue speech, 5) and to avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness.

23. What is Karma? Karma is the law that every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions have results. How can we test the karmic effect of our actions? The answer is summed up by looking at (1) the intention behind the action, (2) effects of the action on oneself, and (3) the effects on others.

24. How Did Buddhism Spread to Asia? Buddhists do not believe in actively converting people to Buddhism. This means they do not tell anyone about their beliefs unless they are asked. They certainly do not attempt to force their beliefs onto anyone. Regardless, Buddhism spread quickly through Asia and now has over 300 million followers.

25. How Did Buddhism Spread to Asia? Even though Buddhists do not believe in actively converting people to Buddhism, Buddhists monks traveled throughout Asia to places like China, Korea, and Japan beginning around the 3rd century CE (AD). They traveled along the Silk Road, a major trade route through Asia. They established temples and worked hard to help the poor and needy throughout Asia.

26. How Did Buddhism Spread to Asia? Many of the people who lived in China, Korea, and Japan, saw the work of the Buddhist monks and inquired about their beliefs. Upon learning the main ideas of Buddhism, many of the people in these countries decided to become Buddhist. Buddhism was easily adapted to the unique cultures of these countries. The governments of China, Japan, and Korea, also encouraged the adoption of Buddhism because it was a peaceful religion that helped their people.

27. How Did Buddhism Spread to Asia? For example, in Japan, a form of Buddhism called Zen Buddhism was adopted by the samurai. The samurai were the warrior class is ancient Japan. Zen Buddhism’s stress on the importance of focusing one’s mind on a single task was appealing to the samurai. Samurai who followed Zen Buddhism also abandoned unnecessary killing and torture, making them more peaceful. Buddhist temples and pagodas can also be found all over Japan and Korea.

28. How Did Buddhism Spread? Buddhism also appealed to women. In Buddhism, women were seen as equal to men, something very uncommon during this period. Women could go to a Buddhist monastery and learn to read and write.