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 |ˈderəˌgāt|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
State’s OFFICIAL religion
Most of the Muslim’s 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 man’s 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 (道德經)
– Dao = Dharma
Lao-Zi

– Chinese mysticism
– Differed from Confucius
– Did not believe in using linguistic
guide
– Confucius’s 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’ (儒家).
– Confucianists adapt the Chinese culture to current
developments
– The concept of 君子 ‘junzi’ (Gentleman/moral agent) that will
govern fairly
禮 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 वेद (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 one’s 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

God’s 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 K’s

– 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
people’s houses and say “trick or treat” and the
people give them sweets.