Confucian Asia has the largest number of adherents of all the major cultural systems in Asia, and it may be subdivided into a number of variants. For example, although Shintoism is heavily influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism, it is exclusively Japanese and may be thought of as Japan's national religion.
The Indian subcontinent is home to a third major religious group. The Hindus are the largest of all religious groups in the multifaceted nation of India. Minority religions include Islam and Sikhism, and the coexistence of these groups has led to violent confrontations within India itself. On the island of Sri Lanka, the continuing disputes between the Buddhist Singhalese and the Hindu Tamils are typical of the Indian disputes.
Buddhism, the fourth major religion, originated in India but is now almost nonexistent there. However, it thrives throughout Tibet, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Major branches—the most important of which are the Mahayana and
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Asia, India’s Taj Mahal is a symbol of the region's cultural diversity; it is a Muslim mausoleum amid a predominantly Hindu nation. (Digital Stock)
Theravada schools—can be distinguished, along with various other denominations or groups. While an argument can be made that Buddhism is a peaceful religion, these divisions can be a cause of conflicts even within the Buddhist community.
World History
