History of Asian Nations buildings, may count itself lucky. Finally, Asian religions inspire devotees to produce shrines, temples, altars, and images to idolize their gods and enhance religious devotion. Some examples are Borobodur, Angkor Wat, the Shwe Dagon, etc. Westerners after the 16th century also influenced Asian art. Spanish missionaries in the Philippines commissioned Virgin Mary images in ivory from carvers in Fujian province, south China. The activity created anew ivory art in China itself, of Guanying, a Chinese goddess, Americans coming to the Philippines influenced Filipino artists like Femando Amorsolo who painted local people and scenery like posteards. n in Asia, Asia is the cradle of the world’s great religions — Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and Zoroastrianism. In addition to these beliefs, numerous cults and spiritual movements also sway the Asians. This is because, as we noted, the Asian is deeply spiritual by nature. There are several outstanding facts about religion in Asia, as follows: 1. Asia is the cradle of the world’s greatest. religions. Christianity. and Judaism originated in Palestine; Islam in Arabia; Hinduism and Buddhism in India; Confucianism and Taoism in China; Shintoism in Japan; and Zoroastrianism in Iran. Sacred cow Mosque 2, The relation between the divine and the human in Asia is so intimate that there is no dividing line between the sacred and the secular. Everything has spiritual value, even ordinary activities like cating, singing, dancing. 3. Asians are deeply bonded to idolatry and the occult in their religious practices. Because most Asians are unable or unwilling to accept the invisible reality of one God, they seek spiritual satisfaction from many gods, physical images, and magic. Hindus believe in 300 million gods; the Tibetans have 20 major gods and 70,000 lower rank * gods (21 salvation mothers alone); Taoists have 36,000 gods; Shinto has 800 national and local gods, family and village gods; and the Zoroastrians simply believe the number of gods is “incalculable.” Buddhists and Hindus practice physical and vocal exercises (yoga, mantra, transcendental meditation) which promote a supernatural level of consciousness. Finally," many Asians seek help from shamans, fortune tellers, mediums, and psychics. However, idolatry and the occult are avoided by Christians. Christianity, Islam and Buddhism encourage new converts. The other reli- gions (Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Jainism) regard new converts with mistrust and discourage them altogether. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are monotheistic and exclusive of other religions, meaning that they do not associate with or admit the validity of other beliefs. Catholic church Buddhist temple