Seminar on Religions

From the represented countries and some pieces in this museum, we wish to promote knowledge and reflection on a set of religions, highlighting their principles, rituals, and cultural contributions. The aim is to contribute to the understanding of cultural and religious diversity and to present the main historical and theological elements of different religions. We highlight Buddhism in China and Confucianism, Buddhism (Japan, India, Himalayas…), Hinduism (India), Shintoism (Japan), Islam (Mughal Empire and Southeast Asia – Southeast Asia is the region of the world where the largest number of Muslims currently live) and the Christians of Malabar. We will conclude with the role of the Jesuits in the spread of Christianity in Asia.

Jan 8 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
1st Conference: “The Christians of Malabar”
by João Teles e Cunha.

When the Portuguese arrived in India, they encountered Christian communities that, according to tradition, resulted from the evangelization by the Apostle St. Thomas. These communities were governed by religious practices, influenced by and influencing Hinduism, and resisted until the arrival of the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean in the 16th century.

Jan 15 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
2nd Conference “Islam in Southeast Asia”
by Paulo Jorge Sousa Pinto

Although it is very common to associate the Islamic religion with the Middle East or North Africa, Southeast Asia is the region of the world where the largest number of Muslims currently live, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, where they constitute the majority of the population. The arrival, spread, and consolidation of Islam was a slow and gradual process that took place over centuries and took on peculiar forms of adaptation and coexistence with local religious traditions, leading to the complex and heterogeneous mosaic that remains to this day.

Jan 29 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
3rd Conference “Hinduism”
by Alexandra Pelúcia.

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating in India. It has no single founder or exclusive sacred book. It is based on texts such as the “Vedas” and the “Bhagavad Gita.” It advocates ideas such as karma, reincarnation, and liberation (moksha). It values spiritual pursuit and union with Brahman, the supreme divine principle.

Feb 12 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
4th Conference “The Mughal Empire”
by João Teles e Cunha.

The Mughal dynasty was founded in 1526 in present-day Afghanistan, quickly rising to an empire that, by 1605, encompassed all of Northern India. The empire, with an Islamic religious foundation, was civilizationally established in Central Asia and drew influence from Persia, which was further enriched by religious and civilizational influences during the conquest of Hindustan. The Mughal Empire is thus a confluence of civilizational and religious traditions.

Feb 26 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
5th Conference “Shintoism”
by Ana Fernandes Pinto.

Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan, is based on an animistic view of nature and the worship of spirits. The entry of Buddhism into Japan, starting in the 6th century, did not diminish its prominence but led to the progressive codification of mythology, rituals, and the architecture of shrines. Starting in the 18th century, there was a revisionism of a nationalist bent, which was accentuated in the 19th century through the association of Shintoism with militaristic policies and the exacerbation of the spirit of the Japanese people.

Mar 12 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
6th Conference “Religions of Japan”
by Ana Fernandes Pinto.

Since the assimilation of Buddhism in the 6th century, religious pluralism has characterized Japan. Even today, the Japanese claim to belong to two religious traditions: Shintoism and Buddhism. The coexistence of various traditions is widely recognized. Shintoism, the native religion, Buddhism introduced in Japan in the early history, Confucianism, a “quasi-religious” system imported from China, and Christianity, introduced by Catholic missionaries. Additionally, in the 20th century, the New Religions emerged. Therefore, discussing religion in Japan is to look at a combinatory system, where different traditions have intersected while maintaining clear distinctions in physical space and types of rituals.

Mar 26 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
7th Conference “Confucianism”
by Patrícia Alexandra Marrafa.

Confucianism, created by Confucius in the 6th century BC, is a Chinese philosophy that values morality, education, and respect for social relationships. It argues that the harmony of society depends on the virtue and good example of the rulers. It has become a foundation of Chinese culture and social organization, influencing thought and customs to this day.

Apr 9 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
8th Conference “Buddhism”
by Paulo Borges.

Buddhism emerged in India in the 6th century BC with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. This philosophy and religion seeks the end of human suffering through self-knowledge, meditation, and the practice of detachment. It is based on the “Four Noble Truths” and the “Eightfold Path,” which guide the individual to achieve enlightenment (nirvana). It spread throughout Asia, profoundly influencing the culture, art, and thought of various peoples.

Apr 23 | Thu | 18:00-19:00
9th Conference “Christianity in Asia – The Role of the Jesuits”
by João Paulo Oliveira e Costa.

From the 16th century onwards, the Jesuits played a central role in the expansion of Christianity in Asia. Combining faith, science, and diplomacy, they sought to adapt the Christian message to local cultures, prioritizing dialogue and learning native languages.

Missionaries like Francis Xavier brought Christianity to Japan, India, and Southeast Asia, while Matteo Ricci, in China, distinguished himself through the strategy of inculturation, presenting Christianity in harmony with Confucianism and Chinese philosophy. The Jesuits also introduced knowledge, especially in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, and cartography, thus gaining prestige in Asian courts.

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Tel.: 213 235 250 | E-mail: ca.cfc@scml.pt