Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Muslims ultimately retook Jerusalem in 1187,
and later Christian crusaders were unable to conquer it
again. The Crusades helped cement a commitment by
Christians to protect the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Similarly, the Crusades and then Zionism cemented a
commitment by Muslims to protect the Dome of the
Rock and by Jews to protect the Western Wall. The
commitment by three major religions to protect and
control their sacred sites has led to political turmoil that
echoes far beyond Jerusalem, as we will see in the next
section of this chapter.
Landscapes of Hinduism and Buddhism
Traditional Hinduism is more than a faith; it is a way
of life. Pilgrimages follow prescribed routes, and rituals
are attended by millions of people. Festivals and feasts
are frequent, colorful, and noisy. Hindus believe that
the erection of a temple, whether modest or elaborate,
bestows merit on the builder and will be rewarded. As a
result, the Hindu cultural landscape—urban as well as
rural—is dotted with countless shrines, ranging from
small village temples to structures so large and elabo-
rate that they are virtually holy cities. The location of
shrines is important because Hindus prescribe that such
holy places should minimally disrupt the natural land-
scape. Whenever possible, a Hindu temple is located
in a “comfortable” position, for example, under a large,
shady tree. Hindus also want their temples to be near
water because many gods will not venture far from water
and because water has a holy function,
ritual bathing
, in
Hinduism (Fig. 7.22). A village temple should face the
village from a prominent position, and followers must
make offerings frequently. Small offerings of fruit and
fl owers lie before the sanctuary of the deity honored by
the shrine.
The cultural landscape of Hinduism is the cul-
tural landscape of India, its main culture region. As one
travels through India, the Hindu faith is a visual as well
as an emotional experience. Temples and shrines, holy
animals by the tens of millions, distinctively garbed
holy men, and the sights and sounds of long proces-
sions and rituals all contribute to a unique atmosphere
(Fig. 7.23).
When Buddha received enlightenment, he sat
under a large tree, the Bodhi (enlightenment) tree at
Bodh Gaya in India. The Bodhi tree now growing on
the site is believed to be a descendant of the original tree.
The Bodhi tree has a thick, banyan-like trunk and a wide
canopy of leafy branches. Because of its association with
the Buddha, the tree is revered and protected. Buddhists
make pilgrimages to Bodh Gaya and other places where
Buddha may have taught beneath Bodhi branches. With
Buddhism, the Bodhi tree diffused as far as China and
Figure 7.21
Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is
sacred to Christians who believe it is the site where Jesus Christ
rose from the dead. Inside the church, a Christian worshipper
lights a candle at Jesus Christ's tomb.
© Reuters/Corbis Images.
European political and religious leaders organized a
series of Crusades to retake the so-called Holy Land.
The fi rst Christian crusaders captured Jerusalem in
1099, ruling the city for almost 100 years. As the fi rst
crusaders made their way across what is modern-day
Turkey on their way to Jerusalem, they also left a series
of conquests in their wake—laying claim to the city of
Antioch and a number of other strategically important
sites. Some of the crusaders returned to western Europe,
but many settled, mingled, and intermarried with the
local people.
