Question

How has the expansion of the major Eastern religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) been different from the spread of Western religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) between their historical beginnings and 2012?

(a) Eastern religions spread primarily through trade and cultural exchange, while Western religions spread primarily through missionary activity. (b) Eastern religions tend to emphasize personal enlightenment and spiritual growth, while Western religions tend to emphasize social justice and ethical behavior.
(c) Eastern religions have a more decentralized structure, while Western religions have a more centralized structure.
(d) Eastern religions have a stronger emphasis on tradition and ritual, while Western religions have a stronger emphasis on scripture and doctrine.

Answer 1

The expansion of Eastern religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) has differed from the spread of Western religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). Eastern religions spread through trade and cultural exchange, emphasize personal enlightenment, and have a decentralized structure, while Western religions spread through missionary activity, emphasize social justice, and have a more centralized structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expansion of the major Eastern religions, specifically Hinduism and Buddhism, has been different from the spread of Western religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, in several ways.

Firstly, Eastern religions spread primarily through trade and cultural exchange, while Western religions spread primarily through missionary activity. For example, Buddhism began to take hold in Southeast Asian regions through trade, while Christianity and Islam spread through missionary efforts.

Secondly, Eastern religions tend to emphasize personal enlightenment and spiritual growth, while Western religions tend to emphasize social justice and ethical behavior. Buddhism and Hinduism focus on individual spiritual development, while Christianity, Judaism, and Islam emphasize moral principles and social responsibilities.

Lastly, Eastern religions have a more decentralized structure, while Western religions have a more centralized structure. Eastern religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, have diverse schools of thought and sects, adapting to local contexts. In contrast, Western religions have more centralized hierarchies and institutions with a unified doctrine.