Eastern religion refers to religions that are mostly either Indian or Chinese in origin: The Dharma faiths of Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism; and the Chinese religious philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism. This grouping also includes other religions, most notably Shinto, the traditional religion of Japan.

Hinduism

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Hinduism (सनातन धर्म; also known as Sanatana Dharma and Vaidika-Dharma) is a worldwide tradition that encompasses many different religions and other ideologies. The exact date of origin of Hinduism is unknown, with dates varying from 3102 BCE to 1300 BCE. However, it is generally regarded as the world's oldest major religion. It is the third largest religion, with approximately 940 million followers worldwide, 96 percent of whom live in the Indian subcontinent. After including Yoga followers, Hinduism has around 1.05 billion followers worldwide. The only official Hindu state in the world is Nepal. Unlike offshoots like Buddhism, Hinduism has remained mainly in the Indian subcontinent.

Hinduism comes under a much larger branch of religions known as the dharmic religions. Although unlike the Abrahamic religions it is quite interesting to note the fundamental differences about them. For example, Jains are deeply antagonistic about the existence of a god, unlike the Buddhists who were originally atheists. Whereas in Hinduism, religious books vary in opinion, they include monism to dualism, from pantheism to atheism. However, it is important to note that in Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism, the gods are all representations of one supreme energy, and in that sense they are all panentheistic or pantheistic.

Similar to other Dharmic religions, Hinduism teaches its followers the value of pure and right actions, to give up bad and wrongful actions. To meditate on God, or your own self, in order to escape from the cycle of life and death, and obtain moksha.

The term Hindu derives from the name of the Sindhu-river. See also Hindu people.

Buddhism

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Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, who lived between approximately 563 and 483 BC. Originating in India, Buddhism gradually spread throughout Asia to Central Asia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Southeast Asia, as well as the East Asian countries of China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

With approximately 350 million followers, Buddhism is considered a major world religion.

Buddhism teaches followers to perform good and wholesome actions, to avoid bad and harmful actions, and to purify and train the mind. The aim of these practices is to end the suffering of cyclic existence, samsara, by awakening the practitioner to the realization of true reality, the achievement of nirvana and Buddhahood.

Buddhist morality is underpinned by the principles of harmlessness and moderation. Mental training focuses on moral discipline (sila), meditative concentration (samadhi), and wisdom (prajñā).

While Buddhism does not deny the existence of supernatural beings (indeed, many are discussed in Buddhist scripture), it does not ascribe power for creation, salvation or judgement to them. Like humans, they are regarded as having the power to affect worldly events, and so some Buddhist schools associate with them via ritual.

Religious faiths, traditions, and movements | Religious comparison