Chinese culture is inextricably linked with Confucianism. For instance, one of the reasons for the widespread use of chopsticks is that Confucius, a vegetarian, thought that sharp utensils like knives and forks would remind diners of slaughtering animals.

Chinese culture is also based on a number of ideologies like Buddhism and Taoism. Although these religions and ideologies exist in the U.S., our country is, for the most part, a Christian one. I was raised in a Catholic home and went to Catholic elementary and middle schools. As a result, before coming here, my knowledge of these Asian religions was limited to a world cultures class in high school and a few friends whose parents practiced these religions.

I was fortunate enough to visit a Hindu temple and one of the largest Buddha statues in North America on one New Year’s Day — of course, this experience doesn’t make me an expert. I am, however, learning more about these schools of thought every day, and it’s been very eye-opening for me.

One of the components of the Syracuse University Abroad Hong Kong program is a traveling seminar that takes us to different sites in mainland China during the first two weeks and then through a number of field trips throughout the duration of the program. As part of this program, we have visited a number of religious sites, and since the topic interests me so much, I am taking a class about religions of Asia.

One of the most interesting things I have noticed is that in Asia, the line between religion and philosophy is much more blurred than it is in the U.S. People debate whether Asian ideologies like Taoism, Buddhism and, to a lesser extent, Confucianism constitute philosophies or religions.

Taoism started out as a philosophy, but evolved into a religion in later years. Today, Taoists go to temples to worship and offer sacrifices before the gods, many of which they have borrowed from other cultures, ideologies and religions. Buddha is not a god, but an enlightened being. However, some of the people I have seen at Buddhist temples seem to be worshipping before the statues of Buddha.

Another thing I have noticed that is very different from my Catholic upbringing are the types of prayer. In Catholicism, there is a lot of emphasis on attending communal services. At each of the Buddhist and Taoist temples we have visited, I have seen a number of people praying individually. There seems to be more of an emphasis on individual prayer than there is in the Catholic Church. I have never gone to a Catholic church and seen that many individual worshippers present.

The method of prayer is different as well. People here bow to show their respects. Some even prostrate themselves on the ground. They also offer sacrifices of food. Taoists eat food after sacrificing it, which my religion professor told me is a very unique tradition.

Another fascinating sight were the fortune tellers at one famous Taoist temple we visited in Hong Kong. These people offer hand- and face-reading. There is also a traditional practice in which people shake a container and choose a stick from within. A number on the stick corresponds with a fortune on a piece of paper. The fortunes are hard to understand for the average person and these tellers will interpret the fortunes for customers for a price.

The influence of these religions is not only evident in my visits to the religious sites — I can also see them in everyday Hong Kong life. I look forward to learning more about these ideologies and seeing how they are different from the religion in which I was raised.

Claire Moran is a junior broadcast and digital journalism and international relations dual major. Her column appears weekly in Pulp. She can be reached at clmoran@syr.edu.

Published on February 24, 2016 at 8:14 pm