Asian Religions: Shintoism, Taoism and Sikhism

Explanation: Kami are the spirits, deities and sacred forces of Shintoism. They can be gods, ancestors, nature spirits or natural forces. It is estimated that there are 8 million kami.

Explanation: The torii (鳥居) marks the boundary between the profane world and the sacred space of the shrine. Its vermillion color is said to repel evil spirits. Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto has over 10,000.

Explanation: Yin-Yang is a fundamental concept of Chinese Taoism. Yin (black, feminine, passive) and yang (white, masculine, active) are complementary and interdependent. Each contains the seed of the other.

Explanation: Lao Tzu (Laozi, "old master") is said to have lived in the 6th century BCE. His text, the Tao Te Ching (Book of the Way and Virtue), in 81 chapters, is the founding text of Taoism.

Explanation: Guru Nanak (1469-1539) is the founder of Sikhism. He preached the oneness of God, equality of all human beings and rejection of the caste system. He is the first of the 10 Sikh gurus.

Explanation: The dastar (Sikh turban) covers the uncut hair (kesh), one of the 5 Ks — the five articles of faith: kesh (hair), kangha (comb), kara (bracelet), kachera (undergarment) and kirpan (dagger).

Explanation: Amaterasu (天照) is the sun goddess and supreme deity of Shintoism. According to mythology, the Japanese imperial family descends directly from her. The Ise shrine is dedicated to her.

Explanation: Tao (道) means "the Way" or "the Path." It refers to the fundamental principle, the mysterious and indefinable force that is the origin of the entire universe. Taoism teaches living in harmony with the Tao.

Explanation: The Golden Temple is in Amritsar, Punjab (India). Covered in gold leaf, it welcomes about 100,000 visitors daily. Its langar (community kitchen) serves free meals to all, without distinction.

Explanation: Wu wei (無為) is a central principle of Taoism: acting by following the natural flow of things, without effort or resistance. It is not inaction, but spontaneous and natural action in harmony with the Tao.

Explanation: Sikhism had 10 human gurus, from Guru Nanak (1st) to Guru Gobind Singh (10th). In 1708, the 10th guru designated the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) as the eternal guru and definitive successor.

Explanation: Shintoism ("way of the gods") is the indigenous religion of Japan. It has no founder, no central sacred text and coexists with Buddhism. Most Japanese practice both.

Explanation: Sikhism has about 30 million followers, making it the 5th largest religion. The vast majority live in Punjab, India, but significant communities exist in the UK, Canada and the US.

Explanation: Temizu is the purification ritual at the fountain (temizuya) at the shrine entrance. One rinses the left hand, then the right, then the mouth. This gesture symbolizes purifying body and spirit before meeting the kami.

Explanation: The langar illustrates the principle of absolute equality: everyone sits on the floor, side by side, regardless of religion, caste, wealth or social status. The Golden Temple in Amritsar serves 100,000 free meals daily.