Comparing Japan and China

China and japan are separated by only some hundred miles of water, yet China has never invaded Japan successfully. Japan consisted of many small clans that were aristocratic chiefdoms, but eventually were unified under one strong, central bureaucracy. Japan had voluntarily adopted China's model of the central bureaucracy because the Chinese state was very effective during the 6th century. After Shotoku Taishi had sent Japanese intellectuals like scholars, monks, and artists on large scale missions to China, the Japanese instituted the Seventeen Article Constitution. The Seventeen Article Constitution declared that Japan would be ruled by a Chinese-style emperor and would incorporate Buddhism and Confucianism in the society. Other aspects of Chinese influences in japan included a court system, calendar, and tax system.

Chinese culture also had found its influence in Japan. When Buddhism had been carried to Japan, some Buddhist schools had a profound impact on the first educated peoples in Japan. One of the most influential pieces of Chinese culture that was instituted in Japan was the use of Chinese writing. Today Chinese and Japanese writing are very similar, yet also differentiate one another. The Japanese were adopted of Chinese culture and other influences because China posed no great threat to the Japanese mainland or interests. Even with all of the Chinese influences, Japan had established their own forms of tradition from the adopted ideas of China.

The role of the emperor and political system in Japan had differentiated itself substantially from China during the tenth century. The role of the emperor was more of a ceremonial figurehead rather than the political leader of the state. Also, wealthy and prominent aristocratic families had become the main political leaders in Japan. The state of Japan had become more decentralized and the emergence of the samurai were developed as a result. Religion also had been influenced by Buddhism, but it did not transform the Japanese populace away from their own traditional practices. Kami or sacred spirits associated with human ancestors had been incorporated into the Japanese Buddhist religion because it did not conflict with the existing Buddhist teachings. Lastly, women in Japanese society enjoyed many freedoms compared to China's history. Women in Japan were allowed to inherit property, marriages could be broken easily, and foot binding did not become influential in the society. However, it should be noted that elite Chinese women held significant freedoms and it was during this period that Japan had adopted the Chinese models of politics, culture, and teachings.

Islam

The most surprising element of Islam is that it was and still is the fastest growing religion. The surprising element is not the speed, but relatively how young it is compared to the other religions like Christianity. Islam was established in modern day Saudi Arabia and had spread along the western edge of the Arabian Peninsula under Muhammad's leadership. Muhammad founded Islam when he had meditated in a cave, realizing that he was the true messenger of Allah for the Arabs.

The Quran is the sacred scriptures of Islam. It consisted of Allah's message through the translation of Muhammad. The Quran also challenged the polytheism, wealth, and social injustice of the Arabs. The main message of the Quran was the core concept of the five pillars of Islam,which should be followed to submit one's self to Allah. The first pillar of Islam states that there is no other god except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God. The second pillar consisted of praying five times a day and the prayer is conducted in the direction of the Mecca or the location of the Kaaba. Mecca is the holy city of Islam and has a significant impact on Islam because it was the first city that was converted to the faith. The Kaaba was already built in the city and had housed false idols. Muhammad came to Mecca with his small force and destroyed all of the false idols in the Kaaba. He then claimed that it be the place to worship Allah and declared that no other god be worshiped.

The third pillar of Islam is the alms giving or a donation of one's income. Today a Muslim must give alms equal to 2.5 percent of their annual income to the poor and needy. This is apart of the social justice message in the Quran and it requires that believers act to help the poor and needy. The fourth pillar of Islam is the fasting for Ramadan. Ramadan is a holy month where Muslims must fast or abstain from food, drink, and sexual relations during the daylight hours. It is the reminder of self-purification and the reminder of the needs of the hungry and less fortunate. The fifth and final pillar of Islam is the hajj. The hajj is the pilgrimage a Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime to the holy city of Mecca. Muslims from around the world gather at the Kaaba, wearing white clothing and have certain routines that involve running around the sacred site.There is another requirement called the jihad or "struggle" from within and is sometimes referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam. Islam has been very successful because many converts were either given the chance to live by converting or killed by the sword. Also, great military victories by the Muslims had led to many Arabs converting to the faith based because their God must be watching over them.