Belief Systems Thematic Essay

There are many different belief systems that are practiced around the world. Each with different and some similar qualities. These belief systems are almost like guidelines for the society in which they are practiced. These rules, and practices of the belief systems develop and change over a long period of time, which ultimately shapes the culture of the people that choose to follow it. Some examples of belief systems are, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism and Confucianism,

One major belief system is Hinduism. This belief system was founded in India, in about 1700BC. There was no specific founder of Hinduism, because it was created by the Aryans, or the nomads that moved into India. This system did not just happen over night, it developed over thousands of years through a blending of many ideas. The Major beliefs of this system were the Caste System, Dharma and Karma, and Rein carnation. All three of these beliefs are directly connected. The Caste system was the social classes of Hinduism, you were born into your Caste and for the rest of your life you remained in that caste and could only associate with people in that caste. The Castes were separated by social class, so the higher you were in society the higher the caste you were in. The only way out of your Caste was in your next life. The Hindu people believed strongly in Reincarnation, or rebirth or the soul, this is where dharma and karma comes in. Dharma is your moral responsibilities in life; you must do your dharma to get good karma. Karma is what determines if you will move up or down in the caste system when you are reincarnated. And people would ‘work their way up’ to achieve Moksha, or the highest you can be. This affects life because the Caste System determines everything about your life. Who you talk to, who you marry, what your job is, it is all part of your Caste.

Another Major Belief system is Confusinism. Confucianism was founded in china around 500 BC. This was the time of the warring states in China where many other ideas such as Daoism and Legalism were developed also. The founder of Confucianism was Confucius. Confucianism is a socio-philosophical system aimed at bettering individuals and society. Its primary goals were to educate people to be self-motivated and self-controlled, and to enable people to assume their responsibilities, which would, in turn, cultivate a better self and a harmonious society. Confucius believed that lawlessness and social problems stemmed from the combination of unenlightened individuals and a social structure without norms. The major beliefs of this system were, the 5 major relationships, focus on education, and Philiopiety. The 5 major relationships are Ruler and Subject, Father and Son, Husband and Wife, Oldest son and Youngest son, and Friend and Friend. Philiopiety is the respect for your parents, which was very highly valued. Also in this system it is believed that everyone has their role in life and is expected to fulfill it. This affects the people because they are becoming more educated, and the system is more peaceful and organized. Confucianism began in China and spread through South East and East Asia, gaining popularity in Japan, Korea and Vietnam as well. For a long period of time, Confucianism had empirical acceptance and validity, as the Chinese emperors and their dynasties saw it as the official philosophy of the empire.

Every belief system has its rules, and expectations, but each one has a different outcome on the people around it. Of course some better than others, but throughout history, having belief systems gave society a backbone, and some sort of order within the people. These different systems in their own ways have help culture flourish and chaos diminish.