Almost every major world religion finds significant representation in Asia.
Not only is Asia the birthplace of Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism, Shinto, Sikhism, Confucianism and Jainism, the continent is also home to the largest Muslim population in the world, as well as significant numbers of Christians and Jews. Additionally, Asian immigrants have brought their religious traditions with them wherever they have settled, making many of these religions truly global in scope and practice. Despite their rich histories, Asian religions are dynamic, often responding to the changing needs of their followers, in Asia and abroad.
AsiaSource has put together a number of helpful resources that explore the diversity and breadth of Asian religions both in Asia and throughout the world.
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Highlights
Living Faith: Inside the Muslim World of Southeast Asia
This featured exhibition of photographs from Steve Raymer's new book, Living Faith: Inside the Muslim World of Southeast Asia, explores the power and diversity of Islam in the region.
The Role of the Devotional Image in Hinduism
This in-depth article by Anne Murphy decodes the complexities of Hindu iconography, explains the structure of a Hindu temple, and details the creation and consecration of sacred images. Written to accompany images from the Asia Society's permanent collection, this
essay is a must-read for fans of Indian art.
AsiaSource Religion Special Reports
Islam in Asia: General Resources
While Islam is commonly portrayed as a Middle Eastern religion, the world's most populated Muslim region is in Asia. In this special report, we provide multimedia links, links to mosques and Muslim associations, general links, and resources in order to help further a greater understanding of Islam.
Sikhs Respond to September 11
Sikhism scholar Anne Murphy discusses the Sikh community's emphasis on serving those in need in wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Buddhism in the U.S.
Although many Americans think of Buddhism as a recent trend, the religion has a long and multi-faceted history in the U.S. Access an exhaustive collection of articles, links to temples and Buddhist associations, online Buddhist publications, and general links with this special report.
 Hinduism Online
As an increasing number of devotional sites are springing up, the internet is transforming the way Hinduism is practiced in India and abroad. Access a comprehensive collection of articles, multimedia resources, devotional links, temple sites, resources and general links on Hinduism online.
Jewish Communities in Asia
Stretching from Iran to New Zealand, Jewish communities have a long and diverse history in Asia. While small Jewish groups thrive all over Asia, this special report highlights a few prominent Asian Jewish communities.
Falun Gong: Cult or Just Cultivating?
The Chinese government banned the spiritual group Falun Gong claiming it is an evil cult that threatens social stability and spreads superstitious thinking. As the controversy continues, AsiaSource has gathered information on Falun Gong that examines relevant issues of history, political power, economics, and participation of masses.
Interviews Related to Asian Religions
Living Faith: An Interview with Steve Raymer
Steve Raymer, former National Geographic photographer and author of Living Faith: Inside the Muslim World of Southeast Asia discusses the ethics of photojournalism and American media representations of Islam, among other issues.
 Documenting India's Parsi Community:
An Interview with Sooni Taraporevala
Sooni Taraporevala is an acclaimed photographer whose first book, Parsis: The Zoroastrians of India-- A Photographic Journey, documents Bombay’s small but vibrant Zoroastrian community.
Religions on the Silk Road: An Interview with Richard C. Foltz
Richard C. Foltz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of Florida and the author of Religions of the Silk Road. AsiaSource spoke with him about the origins of the Silk Road, the spread of Islam in Central Asia, and cultural exchange along the route.
Love in a Dead Language: Interview with Lee Siegel
Lee Siegel is a professor of South Asian religions at the University of Hawaii and the author of several books including Net of Magic: Wonders and Deceptions in India and City of Dreadful Night: A Tale of Horror and the Macabre in India. AsiaSource spoke with the author about his latest novel, Love in a Dead Language.
The Death of Vishnu: An Interview with Manil Suri
In this interview, the author of The Death of Vishnu discusses growing up in Bombay, the influence of Hinduism on his work, and the mathematical theory behind his debut novel.
Online Religion-Related Exhibitions
 Monks and Merchants:
Silk Road Treasures from Northwest China
This exhibition comprises more than 120 spectacular artifacts from the Chinese provinces of Gansu and Ningxia dating from the 4th to 7th Centuries, including Buddhist images, metalwork, textiles, glass, and funerary furniture and ceramics, from the only stretch of the Silk Road that traversed ancient China.
I to Eye: Portraits of Female Empowerment in Bangladesh
Though not specifically focused on religion, the stunning black and white portraits in this virtual gallery challenge popular stereotypes of gender in Islam by documenting the lives of active, independent women.
 Power & Desire: South Asian Paintings from the San Diego Museum of Art
The manifold and multifaceted relationship between ruler and ruled, suitor and consort, human and divinity, depicted in the paintings of the Mughal and Hindu courts from the 16th to 19th century.
Dancing Demons: Ceremonial Masks of Mongolia
This exhibition presents spectacular 19th century masks worn by participants in the Lamaist Buddhist dance ceremonies and shamanistic rituals of traditional Mongolia. The masks, many depicting fearsome deities or fantastic animal heads, are lavishly decorated with silk tassels, gilt bronze ornaments and semi-precious stones. Photographs of the ceremonies, abruptly wiped out during the Communist purges of the 1930s, are also included in the exhibition, along with other ritual paraphernalia.
 Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment
In the fall of 1997, the Asia Society presented the first exhibition ever devoted to the multiple manifestations of the mandala throughout Asia.
Education Resources
 Comicbook Ramayana
This online version of the classic Amar Chitra Katha comicbook Ramayana is a fun introduction to the Hindu epic for both children and adults.
Ram and the Ramayana, Lessons in Dharma
Based on the Ramayana comic book, this lesson plan guides teachers and students through some of the most fundamental principles of Hinduism and includes a brief synopsis of the Ramayana story and suggested activities.
Nataraj: Shiva as Lord of the Dance
The Nataraj, Lord Shiva and Lord of the Dance, offers a visual summary
of several of the most important ideas in Hinduism. Learning to identify
the various aspects of the image can help students understand several
of the central tenets of Hinduism.
The Bahá'í Faith 
Founded in the mid-nineteenth century, the Bahá’í
Faith has spread to some 236 nations and territories and is now accepted
by more than five million people. This website provides resources on Bahá’í
history, suggested books, and the community in the U.S.
Silk Road Encounters
As a symbol of the crossroads between civilizations, peoples, and cultures, the Silk Road offers rich materials to explore
diverse but interrelated topics such as religion, geography, trade, art, and music. While this resource is geared towards teachers, the detailed section on Belief Systems makes it a great resource for anyone wanting to know about the spread of religions in Asia.
The Faces of Islam
This concise but thorough introduction to Islam outlines the basic tenets of the faith, as well as a brief historical overview of Muslim history and theology.
Hinduism
This article on the development of Hinduism also includes recommended introductory reading and defines key Hindu terminology.
The Origins of Buddhism
This historical outline of the foundations of Buddhism in India includes a brief explanation of the two main Buddhist sects and a recommended reading list. For information on
how Buddhism spread across Asia or how Buddhism interacts with other traditions, read The Migrations of Buddhism and Shinto and Buddhism: Wellsprings of Japanese Spirituality.
Korean Thought
This essay touches on indigenous Korean belief systems. For more information on the Korean world view, check out this essay on the Korean zodiac.
Taoism, or the Way
Read more about this elusive philosophical and religious system in this historical introduction.
Religion in the Philippines
While the Philippines is the only majority Christian nation in Asia, there are many diverse
aspects to religious life in the Philippines, including animist and Muslim populations. Find out more about the Philippines's religious mix with this article.
Religion Links
A wealth of links on Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism, Shinto, Daoism, and other religions.
Religion-Related Books
A selection of books on Asian religions from our online bookstore.
Religion Experts
A comprehensive listing of experts in Asian religions from the AsiaSource database.
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