Eastern religions, originating in East, South, and Southeast Asia, encompass diverse traditions such as Taoic faiths (e.g., Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto) and Dharmic religions (e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism), often not drawing a strict line between philosophy and religion.

Hinduism, considered by some to be the world's oldest major religion, showcases immense diversity, ranging from monotheistic to atheistic perspectives, with its rich scriptures including the Vedas and Upanishads emphasizing concepts like Dharma, Samsara, Karma, and Moksha.

Buddhism, a non-theistic philosophy, was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) around the 5th century BCE in present-day Nepal. Its core principles, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, guide followers towards liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

Jainism, revitalized by Tirthankars like Mahavira, advocates for intense austerity, aiming to free the soul (jiva) from karmic bonds to achieve liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.