American Intercontinental University
Topics in Cultural Studies- Cultural Syncretism
Unit 3 Project
Jenifer A. Jones
If cultural syncretism had taken root in China or India, things would be as they are today. Syncretism is the integration or amalgamation of contradictory religious beliefs which then forms a new religious philosophy. Syncretism mostly takes place when foreign beliefs are introduced to an indigenous belief system and the teachings are blended. There are so many variations of religion today; people are divided.
First things first, not all religions are equally open to economic or environmental change. Depending on how language and text is interpreted or translated, it could be a measurable plain to the adaptability of a religious tradition. This is not the case with Buddhism, Confucianism or Hinduism; India does not have a structured religion under Hinduism. ...view middle of the document...
When it comes to language, ; it lies in the way ideas are presented and expressed; for example; Indians are more likely to make abstract idea the main subject of a sentence or essay, as opposed to China, they usually make “man” the subject according to Nakamura. In regards to the guidance power of Indian culture on the Chinese civilization, it is almost beyond words. Even the structure of the Chinese written language was affected by Indian influence; a certain Buddhist named Shou-Wen of the Dynasty formulated thirty-six alphabets purely on the basis of Sanskrit words and then created a revolution in the pronunciation. However, on the guidance of Chinese culture over the Indian civilization, it seems to be comparatively meager and insignificant. In laments term regarding early syncretism in India and China, ethnic origin, religions, and languages are the major sources of cultural diversity. In addition to these facts, there is also trade, politics, and migration, economics, and intermarriage conglomerates enhancing the growth of both societies. According to Van der Veer; arguments’ that there are debates over syncretism in societies in which identities are defined through religion is true. Since India combines these by being a secular state in which religious affiliation partially defines cultural identity, it makes sense that syncretism and multiculturalism are often equated in Hindu political discourse (1994). In a nut shell, both countries not integrating in early civilization was a positive situation and each society have become a strong, emerging, individual power house.
References:
(2011, 02). Early Syncretism in India and China. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 02, 2011, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Early-Syncretism-In-India-And-China-570750.html
http://bangladeshsociology.org/BEJS%203.2%20Das.pdf
http://bhikkhucintita.wordpress.com/home/buddhism
In the Footsteps of Xuanzang; Tan Yun-Shan and India
new-age-center.com/article/history-and-culture-of-India
People of India” project of Anthropological Survey of India
