5.3: World Major Religions and Diffusion

Chapter 5 part 2: World Major Religions & Diffusion

Pulled from Graves chapter 6 OER (2 of 2): Introduction to human Geography A Disciplinary Approach 3rd Edition by Graves. Published California State University Northridge Department of Geography https://sites.google.com/site/gravesgeography/introduction-to-human-geography

Billions of people on the planet have some belief in supernatural events. Most consider those sacred. Those beliefs help people cope with the stresses and joys of life. In the past, those stresses and joys were very often a product of people’s interaction with the natural environment. Today, religion continues to reflect and condition our interaction with the natural environment, as well as many other aspects of our daily lives.

Figure Mecca, Saudi Arabia - The Kaaba is the holiest location in Islam. It is the destination for millions of Muslims from around the world participating in the Hajj, the holy pilgrimage. Source: Wikimedia.

Occasionally, the site of a particularly public tragedy will be treated as sacred space; inviting religious-like pilgrimage and even dark tourism. The ground zero location in New York City, Dealey Plaza in Dallas and Ford’s Theaterin Washington, D.C. may be considered sacred space by some because people come to remember, grieve and ponder metaphysical questions. Behavior in such locations often approximates that which is regularly observed in formally recognized sacred spaces. For example, people tend to talk in hushed tones, they walk and gesture slowly etc. Some monuments that are ostensibly sacred, like the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., also (almost imperceptibly) invite visitors to treat the space as sacred.

Diffusion of Religions

Religion uses nearly all forms of diffusion to reproduce itself across space. Hierarchical diffusion generally involves the conversion of a king, emperor, or other leader who then influences others to convert. Relocation diffusion, often through missionary work, brings “great leaps forward” by crossing space to secure footholds in far-away places. Contagious diffusion is most often seen in a religious context as the result of direct proselytizing. All these forms of diffusion produce patterns of diffusion that are complex. It is impossible to know why certain religions have appeal in particular times or places, but they do, and that appeal can wear off over time.

Another important thing to remember is that the religious landscape is just a snapshot. In the same way that it has always changed, it will continue to do so. These maps can reinforce this idea in that they demonstrate the historical nature of current religious distributions. Remind yourself that these religious expansions occurred at different times. This will help explain why some places will become Buddhist or Christian at one point in history, but become Muslim at another.

Buddhism originated near the current Nepalese-Indian border. Like many other religions, it spread in other directions, particularly to the south and east (Figure 6.12).

Figure | Diffusion of Buddhism 12 This map shows the distinct waves of the diffusion of Buddhism. Author | David Dorrell Source | Original Work License | CC BY SA 4.0

Due to its position as the oldest large, universalizing religion, Buddhism is a good example of the lifecycle of a religion. From its origins, the religion spread across what is now India and Nepal. It spread in all directions but looking at a current religious map reveals that the process did not end 1500 years ago. Much of its territory on the Indian subcontinent would become mostly Hindu or Muslim. To the east and south, however, the religion continued and expanded. It is not unusual for a religion to prove popular far from its place of origin. In fact, that is the key to a successful universalizing religion.