RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS

MPU 1313
MS. ZAREEN
Topics
2

Religion and Beliefs: Islam; Chinese

Religions; Hinduism; Sikhism;
Christianity
Religious developments
in Malaysia

Malaysia is
Islamic Country or
Multi religion
Country?
4
ISLAM

Rise up and read

 Islam in the Constitution of Malaysia
6

ISLAM (MUSLIM)

most Malay are Muslim.

ISLAMwas
ISLAM was introduced
introduced by traders,
by traders, becoming
becoming firmly
firmly established
established in the 15th
in the 15thcentury
century
(Old(Old
Malay Kingdom).
Malay Kingdom).

The government promotes a moderate form

of Islam
Islam known
known as
as Islam Hadhari.
7
 Islam is the
religion of
Malaysia.

But this does

not affect the
other
provisions of
the
Constitution

derogate |dergt|Verb [ intrans. ] ( derogate from) deviate from (a set of rules or agreed
form of behavior) : e.g. This law has not derogated from the Constitution.
 Secular law applies
to everyone*
Islamic laws
apply to
Muslims only

# For the Federal

Territories, Islamic law
* Certain types of secular law, such as comes under Federal
jurisdiction (para 4(k)
those relating to family and personal
of the Federal List)
law, will not apply to Muslims if they are
subject to an equivalent Islamic law.
The Malaysian Constitution Islam, Islamic Law and Syariah Courts

Under the Constitution, States can only

make Islamic law in these areas:

Islamic 1. Islamic law and personal and family

laws do not law of Muslims
apply to
non-
2. Wakafs, Islamic charities, trusts and
Muslims institutions
3. Zakat, Fitrah and Baitulmal
4. Mosques
5. Offences by Muslims against the
percepts of Islam but not including
matters in the Federal List (Islamic
offences)
6. Syariah courts
7. Control of propagating other religions
amongst Muslims
8. Determination of matters of Islamic
law and doctrine
The Malaysian Constitution Islam, Islamic Law and Syariah Courts

Secular
Criminal
law
offences
applies
apply
to everyone*
to everyone Islamic
offences*
apply to
Muslims only
* Means offences
by Muslims against
the percepts of
Islam. Does not
include criminal
offences which is
under Federal
jurisdiction
The Malaysian Constitution Islam, Islamic Law and Syariah Courts

Jail Fine Whipping

Max: Max: Max:
3 years RM5,000 6 whips

Constitutionally, Syariah Courts

have no jurisdiction over Islamic
offences unless authorised by
federal law: the Syariah Courts
(Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965
permits such courts to try Islamic
offences but not if the maximum
jail term, fine or number of whips
allowed for such offences exceed
the maximum stated in the above
table.
The Malaysian Constitution Islam, Islamic Law and Syariah Courts

The Constitution gives Syariah Courts

power over:

Muslims only, and

only in respect of Constitutionally

permitted Islamic laws, including
Islamic offences, described in the
previous slides.
Islam is the PreDOMINANT
14 of the MALAYSIA
religion
States OFFICIAL religion
Most of the Muslims holy days are NATIONAL Holidays,
including
1. 1 & 2 Syawal (Hari Raya PUASA/ Aidilfitri),
2. the Hajj (Mecca),
3. Birthday of Muhammad (Maulidur Rasul).
Early 12th Century Islam have been brought from Indian
trades, Arab Trades and also from China.
Early 15th century , Malacca Sultanate , was led to spread
of Islam . Son of Parameswara - Megat Iskandar Shah
embrace ISLAM Sultan Iskandar Shah.
Buddhism
General Ideas
Northern Indian prince (now known as
Nepal)
Prince Siddhartha left palace at 29,
attained Enlightenment at age 35.
Disturbed by Indian social caste system
Tried to meditate and renounce
Used a technique that focused on
Impermanence
Suffering
Egolessness
Taught for 45 years
Buddha = Enlightened One
Buddhist Ethics

Four Noble Truths

Life is full of suffering (dukkha)
The origin of suffering is attachment
The release from suffering is possible
The path to the release from suffering is:
Eightfold Path
 Eightfold Path
1. Right View
Wisdom
2. Right Intention

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action Ethical Conduct

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort
Mental
7. Right Mindfulness
Development
8. Right Concentration
The Eightfold Path is the Middle Path between two extremes. The first extreme is the over-
indulgence in pleasure and the subsequent suffering. The second extreme is the belief that the
soul of an individual is permanent forever and that it will be destroyed after death.
Buddhist Teachings and
Human Development

Many aspects similar to Hinduism

Believes in concept of Karma
Buddha did not answer any
question which required proof and
which could not be detected by the
human senses
Buddhists are concerned with
karma and rebirth
Buddhism

Every bad action has a bad effect

Human suffering is caused by desires
Connecting to the Divine is the answer
to mans problems
The practice of spirituality is important
in knowing what is right/wrong
Taoism (Chinese Hinduism)

The Quest for Immortality

Dao = Path, way, essential nature,
destiny, principle
Dao = Transcendent, indistinct and
without form. Cannot be named or
categorized
All teaching contained in the Tao-De
Ching ()
Dao = Dharma
Lao-Zi

Chinese mysticism
Differed from Confucius
Did not believe in using linguistic
guide
Confuciuss rules could not make
dao lasting and permanent
Must have natural instinct to guide
humans
Practices

Festival of the Hungry Ghosts (Qingming)

Burning of paper for those in hell
Confucius

Educational philosophy
Promulgated 2500 yrs ago
But teaching became
religion
Status of Confucius in
Chinese Civilization

Regarded as the protector of Chinese civilisation

Preserved elements of ancient Chinese culture that he thought
were good and relevant. Called himself a transmitter of ancient
Chinese culture
Regarded as creator of Chinese civilization
Was a member of a group of academics called Ru ().
Confucianists adapt the Chinese culture to current
developments
The concept of junzi (Gentleman/moral agent) that will
govern fairly
 Rituals/rules

Propriety for living

Internalization of rites
divides people into categories, and
builds hierarchical relationships through protocols and
ceremonies, assigning everyone a place in society and a
proper form of behavior.
Music is an exception, because it transcends boundaries
and "unifies the hearts".
 Taoism is the Chinese version of Hinduism- superstition,
uniting with the Universe and doing Tai Chi (yoga?)
Confucianism is an ethical code of conduct that has been
turned into a religion. Many pieces still missing
Foundational values of morality are:
Compassion/Mercy
Justice
Hinduism
Basics

Oldest religion
Based on the (Vedas)
Dharma = the moral and social order
HIGHEST GOOD

TOTAL HARMONY OF THE COSMIC

OR NATURAL ORDER (RITA)
Hindu Gods and Deities

The greatest god is Brahman

Hindu
Celebrations
Thai (tenth month of the Hindu calendar)
Pusam (name of a bright star)
Fulfilling ones vows
Their god drives away ignorance
Deepavali (Deepam [Lamp], Vali [Row])
God protecting human beings from sickness and
harm
Hindus reassess their behavior and actions in
order to improve themselves
Good and noble obtaining victory over bad and
evil
Sikhism
Background to the Sikh
Religion

Founded by Guru Nanak I (1469-1539)

Succeeded by a group of 10 Teachers
Teachings put together in a Holy Book called
Guru Granth Sahib Ji
There is only one God who is absolute
Life in this world has no beginning and no end
(Hinduism), no limit or boundary, cannot be analysed
by ordinary human thoughts
Formation was influenced by Islam and Hinduism,
practiced in Northern India
Basic Teachings

Sikh Teachers stressed that all mankind are

Gods creation and ought to be faithful to
their respective ways of life
A child at birth is not yet a Khalsa, even
though parents are Sikhs, only after
understanding rules and regulations
And receives sugar water (Amrit)
Understand and conform to the laws of the Sikh
religion
The Five Ks

Kesh (uncut hair)

Kanggha (comb)
Kashehra (white shorts)
Kirpan (Sword/dagger)
Kara (Steel bangle won on the waist)
Once a person has practised the discipline of
the Khalsa community he should apply to
receive the Amrit from the Five Religious
Members (Panj Piare)
 Sikh Identity

Sikh means learner or follower in Punjabi

Sikh religious festivals

Most important: Vasakhi Day (13 April

each year)
Commemorates establishment of the
Khalsa community by Guru Gobind
Singh Ji in 1699
Birthday of Guru Nanak, Katak
Puranmashi day is also celebrated
Christianity

Religion who
belief Jesus as
son of God
Resolving the Human
Condition

Looking upon Jesus to save mankind of its sin

No human effort will be able to redeem ourselves
Example of the Bronze snake
Ethical Teaching

Love your enemies

Let your enemies take advantage of you
Do not resist an evil person
Bless those who curse you
Forgive those who do evil to you
Love altruistically (sacrificially)
There is no greater love than this, that a man lays down his life
for his friend.
To give with no expectation of return/benefit
Christian religious festivals

Christmas Eve 24 December, the day before

Christmas Day
Christmas Day it is the day on which Christians
celebrate the birth of Christ each year.
Halloween The night of October 31st (before All
Saints' Day) - Is the time when people say that
witches and ghosts appear. In the US children go to
peoples houses and say trick or treat and the
people give them sweets.