Comparing Eastern and Western religious traditions
The comparison of Eastern and Western religious traditions is a topic discussed in comparative religion. It is intimately tied to the comparison of Eastern and Western philosophy. Western tradition refers to prominent faiths in Europe and the Anglosphere, generally focused on Abrahamic faiths. Eastern tradition refers to important faiths in the Sinosphere and Indosphere, usually focused on Dharmic and Taoic faiths. While acknowledging the distinction, critics note that the distinction is oversimplified. It is believed to force some religions into arbitrary categories. It is also criticized for overlooking some faiths, such as neopaganism and African religion. The comparison is also complicated by the growing presence of Western varieties of Oriental faiths and Eastern versions of Occidental faiths.
Western religion
Western religion usually refers to religions that are based on Abrahamic monotheism and derive from the Middle Eastern milieu including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Western religions are generally monotheistic, viewing God as a separate and transcendent being. Islam was previously considered as Eastern religion, due to its origin and prominence in the Near East, until the mid-twentieth century.
Eastern religion
Eastern religion is a group of religions originating in India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia. This includes the Tao and Dharma faiths, as well as animistic indigenous religions. Eastern religions tend to view the divine as immanent, within and integral to the adherent. Eastern thought is generally nontheistic. While many of these faiths feature polytheistic pantheons, ultimate reality is often seen as beyond the gods while simultaneously internal to every living being.
Unclear traditions
There are a number of traditions that due to cultural exchange, archaic nature, geographical location, syncretism or novelty that do not have a clear place in this dichotomy. Many of these faiths have both Western and Eastern features. Zoroastrianism and Sikhism are examples of such faiths. Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Norse and other European polytheistic religions can be considered Western or pre-Western. However, they share a common ancestor with Hinduism. Neopaganism is a revivalist movement drawing on a wide variety of religions. Neopagans usual focus on polytheistic traditions and mythologies, particularly those of pre-Christian Europe.
Comparison of East and West
Eastern religious thought has attracted attention and confused the Western mind throughout history. Many Western commentators see some Eastern traditions as philosophies, instead of religions. In the East, there is no practical distinction between religion and philosophy. The sacred and mundane are not separated. Western labels, categories and distinctions are not always appropriate to the analysis of Eastern faiths.[1]
Western faiths generally perceive divinity as transcendent, separate and beyond the reach of ordinary reality. This ultimate is God, who is often presented as a person, or personage. It is the duty of the faithful to know, love and obey God. Eastern traditions see the absolute as transpersonal and immanent, being within and ultimately identical to the seeker. These faiths are generally nontheistic. Even most Eastern religions with polytheistic pantheons regard ultimate reality as both beyond the gods and within every sentient being.[2][3]
Western religions generally have a dualist perception of reality. Material and spiritual reality are held as different from each other. Clear distinctions are drawn between man and other natural beings, as well as between man and spiritual entities, such as angels. Eastern traditions generally regard reality from a monist perspective. All sentient creatures are respected, since they could potentially be reincarnated souls. However, distinctions of "otherness" are rejected.[4]
Western conceptions of time have been related to a fast flowing river, forever moving towards the eternity that lies in the future. Time and history possess great meaning, giving significance to many aspects of Western religion. God acts throughout history to punish, redeem and teach. In the East, time is better related to a vast primordial ocean, endlessly stretching in all directions. Historical perspective is still important in the East, but possesses far less religious impact. History is seen as the result of human actions, rather than originating in a divine plan.[5]
Cycles and revivals, along with belief in rebirth and reincarnation are commonplace in the East. In the West, the view of history is linear and the afterlife is fatalistic and binary. This is reflected geographically in the shifting views of the afterlife from east to west. In the Far East and India, there are a countless number of potential reincarnations, including heavens, hells and other god-realms. In the West, there is generally only an eternity in either Heaven or Hell. Traditions originating in areas between, or overlapping, both general regions usually have a limited range of afterlives including purgatory and layers of Hell.[6]
References
- ^ Morgan, Diane. The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion. Pp 10-11. St. Martin's Griffin (2001). ISBN 1580631975.
- ^ Morgan, Diane. The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion. Pg 9. St. Martin's Griffin (2001). ISBN 1580631975.
- ^ LaFave, Sandy. Comparing Eastern and Western Religions. West Valley College Philosophy Department.
- ^ LaFave, Sandy. Comparing Eastern and Western Religions. West Valley College Philosophy Department.
- ^ Morgan, Diane. The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion. Pg 10. St. Martin's Griffin (2001). ISBN 1580631975.
- ^ Nesbitt, Richard. The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently-- and why. Pg 200. Simon and Schuster (2003). ISBN 0743255356.
See also
External links
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