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Buddhists believe that you are in a reincarnation cycle until you reach enlightenment. How you get out of the cycle is by paying for all of your karma. Karma is basically another way of saying you reap what you sow. If you do something wrong in one life you must pay for it in the next. This is a continuous process until you reach enlightenment or nirvana which is being one with the universe and being free from pain, suffering, desire, and ignorance. They also follow the four noble truths and the eightfold path. The four truths are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffer, the truth of the cessation of suffer, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering. The eight-fold path is right view, right intention. right speech. right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

Denise. “What Is Cycle of Rebirth: A Comprehensive Overview.” Ourbuddhismworld, ourbuddhismworld.com, 4 May 2025, www.ourbuddhismworld.com/archives/2525.

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I chose to research Buddhism. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama and focuses on ending suffering through understanding and self-discipline. One of its main teachings is the Four Noble Truths, which explain that suffering exists, is caused by desire, can end, and can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path. Buddhists also believe in karma and rebirth, working toward reaching nirvana, a state free from suffering.

What I found interesting is that Buddhism doesn’t center on a god but on personal growth and mindset. It made me wonder whether nirvana is seen as a real place or more of a mental state.

“Introduction to Buddhism.” SPICE Stanford, Stanford University

- Lauren Naples

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I chose to research and share about scientology. I know we didn't learn about this in class, but I think it's something that isn't commonly spoke about; therefore it isn't understood by very many people.

Scientology was founded by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in 1953. This religion teaches that human beings are immortal and are called Thetan. They believe that there are multiple gods. They also believe that man is good and it is a sin to say otherwise. People in this religion also believe in reincarnation. They believe that after death you get a new body and live again. That is mostly what I learned about Scientology. I used the source https://www.gotquestions.org/scientology-Christian-cult.html to help me with this!

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Is Scientology Christian or a cult? | GotQuestions.org

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Is Scientology Christian or a cult? Why is scientology becoming so popular amongst celebrities?

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Though it seems very absurd that there exists such a church as that of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, this is a religion legally recognized in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and Taiwan. Pastafarianism was created in 2006 by a man named Bobby Henderson who fought the board of education to not put intelligent design as a topic taught in classes. He then went to mock them and henceforth created this idea of a flying spaghetti monster and the religion itself that means to mock religion, rules, and the idea of God himself. Instead of having rules to follow, they have a list of "I rather you didn'ts" since the religion is very based on doing whatever you want. A few other things about this religion is that they believe pirates to be some of the original believers of their cause (as rebels of society) and often dress up like them in parades. Their church also profits much off of the fact that they are easily ordained and many people hire them who dress up as pirates to officiate their weddings. Aside from pirate costumes, you can also identify a member when they wear colanders on their hats. And wearing colanders on your head was also something many pastafarians fought to be able to wear in their drivers license pictures. They are also known to say "ramen" insted of amen at the end of prayers. Overall though I thought this was going to be a comical and interesting religion to cover, as a Christian I will say- its incredible the way that sin and greed blinds people and take them to mock God in such a way.

Chan, Eckhart "Pastafarianism: a religion?'' Calvin Chimes, April 24, 2016 Pastafarianism: a religion? – Calvin

University Chimes

Home - Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

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(Chapter 1- What is Islam, Muhammed and The Holy Quran)

Islamic (Islam) is one of the most fast-growing religions in the world. It entails 1.6 billion people coming as the second largest religion after Christianity today.

Muslims submit themselves to one God and one God only. They believe that in order to become one of them in the Muslim community, one should say and believe in the following phrase: لآ اِلَهَ اِلّا اللّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوُل اللّهِ
La ilaha illa Allah. Muhammad rasool Allah.

This sentence literally means “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.” The sentence also means “There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.” The moment a person says this phrase and begins to act upon it they become a Muslim.

Muslims believe that "ALLAH" is the name God gave himself and Muhammed is the last messenger/prophet of Allah.

The Holy Quran is a core belief taught in Islam is that human beings are unique from among God’s creation. It is believed in the Islamic religion that The Holy Qur’an is the last revelation from Allah sent to all of mankind and it was revealed to his final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims claim/believe that it hasn't been changed or translated and edited from when it was passed on from Muhammed remaining in its original language and form in Arabic.

The Islamic religion is not that different to Christianity which is also an interesting thing to research about: What are some of the Differences and Similarities between The Islamic and Christianity religion.

The Holy Quran states the following: Say (O Muhammad): “We believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail, Ishaq (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob) and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)] and what was given to Musa (Moses), ‘Isa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allah) we have submitted (in Islam).

Quran, Chapter 3, Verse 84.

So, who is Muhammed and how did he come along in the Islamic religion?

It is believed in the Islamic religion: from the beginning of mankind until the present-day Allah has sent a Prophet to every nation to guide them to the truth. They were sent to teach their people to worship God alone and not to ascribe any divine partners to Him. They include Adam, Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail, Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), Jesus, Muhammad, and many others (peace be upon them all). Which you may find familiar to the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament in The Bible in Christianity. But one of the biggest and most striking difference Islam has to Christianity is it claims: Muslims believe Jesus to be a Prophet of God rather than a divine being or son.

(Chapter 2- The 5 Pillars of Islam)

Another important thing to note when it comes to the Islamic religion is: The 5 Pillars of Islam. They are as follows:

1. Belief.

2. Prayer

3. Zakat

4. Fasting

5. Hajj

To elaborate more, it is explained like this: “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakat (obligatory charity), making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.”

Withing the 5 Pillars they are requirements to be met. This could also be another question you could look into: What are the requirements to be met in each of these pillars? And maybe: why are the requirements carried out according to the Holy Quran?

That is basically the bases and small parts yet essential to the Islamic religion/community.

Work Cited.

Chapter 1 – What is Islam, Muhammed and The Holy Quran” Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Islam, Masjid ar‑Rahmah | Mosque of Mercy,

https://www.mymasjid.ca/beginners-guide-understanding-islam/chapter-1
Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

Chapter 2 – The 5 Pillars of Islam.” Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Islam, Masjid ar‑Rahmah | Mosque of Mercy,
https://www.mymasjid.ca/beginners-guide-understanding-islam/chapter-2.
Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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Ancient Greek Mythology - Jeanne Valiton

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Ancient Greek Mythology - Jeanne Valiton

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Ancient Greeks did not name their religion, although it is closely linked to Hellenism. Many people choose to do recent major religions, but nothing said I can't write about ancient major religion. I consider Greek Mythology a religion because it includes gods and goddesses, the divine, the afterlife and all kinds of spiritual beliefs. The Greeks believed that there were 12 major gods (The Twelve Olympians) and goddesses: Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, Poseidon, Ares, Artemis, Demeter, Aphrodite, Dionysos, Hermes, Hephaistos. These God were believe to live on Mount Olympe. The Greek worshiped these gods an offered sacrifices. Greek Mythology includes lots of less important gods, myths, legends and imaginary creatures. A big part of Greek mythology are demigods, the sons of the gods and humans. I am often amazed by the sense of imagination God has given us, using this sense of imagination, people have made up whole lives. Even if people have misused this sense of imagination to create idols, the stories humans have thought of still amaze me.

Here is my source:

Cartwright, Mark. “The 12 Olympian Gods.” World History Encyclopedia, 10 Sept. 2019, www.worldhistory.org/collection/58/the-12-olympian-gods/.

I also used knowledge from my classes at school a few years ago.

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Not a lot of people have heard of the religion called Jainism, because of its scarcity in population, having only around 5 million people in India, who classify it as their religion. Jainism is basically the anti-violence religion. It heavily focuses on topics like: no one holds the full truth, tolerance, and peace. The teachings come in the form of 24 historical characters, which are collectively called the Tirthankaras. The tirthankaras are where the Janisms learn, similar to the bible. Their main goal in life is to get moksha, which is basically not being reborn into another life after you die and being released into a heaven-like place, except different. I find it interesting that people can live believing they will keep being reborn after this life unless they live their current life to the exact specifications their religion calls them to. I wonder how difficult their lives are, having to tolerate and avoid violence in general.

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this religion is a more modern version of an ancient Norse paganism (which is a term that describes various spiritual paths, often characterized by polytheism, nature worship, and connection to ancient traditions.) Asatru is centred on the worship of Norse gods, honouring their ancestors, and living by principles of honour, courage and family. The meaning of the word Asatru is "faith in the Æsir". this religion is polytheistic and is rooted in pre-Christain Germanic and Scandinavian people's beliefs. Its earliest traceable roots were during the Nordic Bronze Age (1700-500 BC), along with some influences from the Germanic age (500 BC-400 AD), and Viking Age mythology. this religion was largely recognised in Ireland 1970's. some of the gods they worship are Odin (wisdom, poetry, war), Thor (thunder, protector), Freyja (love, fertility, battle), and a few more like Frigg, Freyer, Tyr, Loki, Heimdall. Asatru emphasises a deep connection with nature, cycles of life and revenge for their ancestors. They have rituals, (known as blóts) where they make offerings and pray, and have communal gatherings. Sumbel is another ritual with the purpose of celebrating community, and festivals mark many natural cycles like equinoxes. this religion is extremely supportive of personal dignity, family honour, and community integrity, and there are consequences for failure to uphold these values. Modern day this religion can be found all over the world, particularly in Iceland, and America. many of them preserve ancient tradition and skills of the religion.

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Christianity began as a movement within Judaism during a period of the Roman occupation in the region of Judea in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is a major world religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizing faith in him as the son of God and as the path to salvation. It is the largest religion in the world with over 2.4 billion people making up 28.8% of global population

Jesus Christ is believed to be the son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. His life and teachings are documented in the New Testament, mostly in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The central to Christianity is the belief in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus died for humanity's sins and rose from the dead offering eternal life to those who believe in Him. Salvation is viewed as a gift from God, not something earned through human efforts.

Christianity also has the concept of the Holy Trinity which is God the father, God the son and God the Holy spirit. This concept is used to explain the forms in which God is in, and how he is 3-in-1 as a being. This doctrine is fundamental to understanding the nature of God in Christian theology.

The Christians holy book is called the bible. The bible is considered the sacred scripture, consisting of the Old Testament and the New Testament, it is viewed as the authoritative word of God and serves as a guide for faith and practice.

There's so much more to the Christian faith left to explore apart from this and it is a really interesting religion and so are other religions.

sources:

“What Is Christianity? - a Comprehensive Guide - Religion24.” Religion24, 7 Dec. 2024, religion24.net/what-is-christian-religion/. Accessed 2 March 2026.

Bricker, V. (2023, June 13). What Is the Definition of Christianity? Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-definition-of-christianity.html

Stefon, M. (2019). Christianity - The history of Christianity. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity/The-history-of-Christianity

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Buddhism originated from the teachings of the buddha also known as Siddhartha Gautama, a teacher who lived in northern India between mid 6th and mid 4th BCE. There are disagreements between scholars on the birth and death dates of buddha. In the centuries following the founder's death Buddhism developed in two directions by two different groups, one was called hinayana a term given to it by its Buddhists opponents, and the other was mahayana. Buddha based his teaching on the fact of human suffering and the ultimately dissatisfactions of human life. Some of the members of that community were, like the Buddha himself, wanderers who abstained from worldly pleasures(ascetics). Others were laypersons who regarded the Buddha with great respect, followed certain aspects of his teachings, and provided the wandering ascetics with the material support that they required.

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The cultural context

Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century bce, a period of great social change and intense religious activity. There is disagreement among scholars about the dates of the Buddha's birth and death. Many modern scholars believe that the historical Buddha lived from about 563 to about 483 bce. Many others believe that he lived about 100 years later (from about 448 to 368 bce). At this time in India, there was much discontent with Brahmanic ( Hindu high-caste) sacrifice and ritual. In northwestern India there were ascetics who tried to create a more personal and spiritual religious experience than that found in the Vedas (Hindu sacred scriptures). In the literature that grew out of this movement, the Upanishads, a new emphasis on renunciation and transcendental knowledge can be found. Northeastern India, which was less influenced by Vedic tradition, became the breeding ground of many new sects. Society in this area was troubled by the breakdown of tribal unity and the expansion of several petty kingdoms. Religiously, this was a time of doubt, turmoil, and experimentation.

A proto-Samkhya group (i.e., one based on the Samkhya school of Hinduism founded by Kapila) was already well established in the area. New sects abounded, including various skeptics (e.g., Sanjaya Belatthiputta), atomists (e.g., Pakudha Kaccayana), materialists (e.g., Ajita Kesakambali), and antinomians (i.e., those against rules or laws-e.g., Purana Kassapa). The most important sects to arise at the time of the Buddha, however, were the Ajivikas (Ajivakas), who emphasized the rule of fate ( niyati), and the Jains, who stressed the need to free the soul from matter. Although the Jains, like the Buddhists, have often been regarded as atheists, their beliefs are actually more complicated. Unlike early Buddhists, both the Ajivikas and the Jains believed in the permanence of the elements that constitute the universe, as well as in the existence of the soul.

Despite the bewildering variety of religious communities, many shared the same vocabulary- nirvana (transcendent freedom), atman ("self" or "soul"), yoga ("union"), karma ("causality"), Tathagata ("one who has come" or "one who has thus gone"), buddha ("enlightened one"), samsara ("eternal recurrence" or "becoming"), and dhamma ("rule" or "law")-and most involved the practice of yoga. According to tradition, the Buddha himself was a yogi-that is, a miracle-working ascetic.

Buddhism, like many of the sects that developed in northeastern India at the time, was constituted by the presence of a charismatic teacher, by the teachings this leader promulgated, and by a community of adherents that was often made up of renunciant members and lay supporters. In the case of Buddhism, this pattern is reflected in the Triratna-i.e., the "Three Jewels" of Buddha (the teacher), dharma (the teaching), and sangha (the community).

In the centuries following the founder's death, Buddhism developed in two directions represented by two different groups. One was called the Hinayana (Sanskrit: "Lesser Vehicle"), a term given to it by its Buddhist opponents. This more conservative group, which included what is now called the Theravada (Pali: "Way of the Elders") community, compiled versions of the Buddha's teachings that had been preserved in collections called the Sutta Pitaka and the Vinaya Pitaka and retained them as normative. The other major group, which calls itself the Mahayana (Sanskrit: "Greater Vehicle"), recognized the authority of other teachings that, from the group's point of view, made salvation available to a greater number of people. These supposedly more advanced teachings were expressed in sutras that the Buddha purportedly made available only to his more advanced disciples.

As Buddhism spread, it encountered new currents of thought and religion. In some Mahayana communities, for example, the strict law of karma (the belief that virtuous actions create pleasure in the future and nonvirtuous actions create pain) was modified to accommodate new emphases on the efficacy of ritual actions and devotional practices. During the second half of the 1st millennium ce, a third major Buddhist movement, Vajrayana (Sanskrit: "Diamond Vehicle"; also called Tantric, or Esoteric, Buddhism), developed in India. This movement was influenced by gnostic and magical currents pervasive at that time, and its aim was to obtain spiritual liberation and purity more speedily.

Despite these vicissitudes, Buddhism did not abandon its basic principles. Instead, they were reinterpreted, rethought, and reformulated in a process that led to the creation of a great body of literature. This literature includes the Pali Tipitaka ("Three Baskets")-the Sutta Pitaka ("Basket of Discourse"), which contains the Buddha's sermons; the Vinaya Pitaka ("Basket of Discipline"), which contains the rule governing the monastic order; and the Abhidhamma Pitaka ("Basket of Special [Further] Doctrine"), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. These Pali texts have served as the basis for a long and very rich tradition of commentaries that were written and preserved by adherents of the Theravada community. The Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions have accepted as Buddhavachana ("the word of the Buddha") many other sutras and tantras, along with extensive treatises and commentaries based on these texts. Consequently, from the first sermon of the Buddha at Sarnath to the most recent derivations, there is an indisputable continuity-a development or metamorphosis around a central nucleus-by virtue of which Buddhism is differentiated from other religions.
Giuseppe Tucci Joseph M. Kitagawa Frank E. Reynolds

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Buddhism | Definition, Beliefs, Origin, Systems, & Practice

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Buddhism, religion and philosophy that developed from the doctrines of the Buddha, a teacher who lived in northern India between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries BCE. Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of Asia, and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the West.

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A comparison of the two major sects of Islam, Sunni and Shia. The geo-cultural region of Kurdistan is also present.

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Islam is the second largest religion, second only to Christianity, with more than two billion believers. The population of its believers is predicted to pass that of Christianity's in about 50 years. There are 2 major subdivisions of Islam(Sunnis and Shi'ites) just as there are 2 major subdivisions of the Christian religion, Catholic and Protestant. Each sect holds slightly different interpretations of the Quran, but both believe that the Quran is the only uncorrupt holy book and that it is only to be read in the language of Arabic. One of the most important concepts that make Islam different from Christianity is that they believe that humans are saved by works, not faith. Muslims practice the 5 pillars of Islam, though if you are a Shi'a Muslim, you have 10 obligatory acts you must follow. These acts include declaring that the Quran is the only holy text and that God is Allah and Mohammed is His prophet, prayer five times a day, fasting in daylight hours during Ramadan(a month's time), tithing 2.5 percent, and finally making a pilgrimage to the holy lands in Saudi Arabia. There are many other amazing cultural and religious details about Muslims and Islam and I recommend learning about this religion as statistically one out of every five humans on earth are Muslim, that's a lot.

Sources:

The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050 | Pew Research Center

The Five Pillars of Islam (Sunni and Shi’a Islam) - Ways of Muslim living - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize

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This is one the the oldest monotheistic religions which is centered around the belief in one universal God and a sacred Covenant between God and the Jewish people. The Holy books are the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and the Talmud, which explains how they should live a pure and ethical life. The key tenets include the sanctity of the Sabbath, the importance of community and Tikkum Olam, which is reparing the world through acts of kindness and social justice. The Talmud is a massive, centuries long transcript of rabbis arguing with one another.

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Judaism, monotheistic religion developed among the ancient Hebrews. Judaism is characterized by a belief in one transcendent God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions. Judaism is the complex phenomenon of a total way of life for the Jewish people, comprising theology, law, and innumerable cultural traditions.

The first section of this article treats the history of Judaism in the broadest and most complete sense, from the early ancestral beginnings of the Jewish people to contemporary times. In the second section the beliefs, practices, and culture of Judaism are discussed.

The history of Judaism

It is history that provides the key to an understanding of Judaism, for its primal affirmations appear in early historical narratives. Thus, the Bible reports contemporary events and activities for essentially religious reasons. The biblical authors believed that the divine presence is encountered primarily within history. God's presence is also experienced within the natural realm, but the more immediate or intimate disclosure occurs in human actions. Although other ancient communities also perceived a divine presence in history, the understanding of the ancient Israelites proved to be the most lasting and influential. It is this particular claim-to have experienced God's presence in human events-and its subsequent development that is the differentiating factor in Jewish thought.

Moreover, the ancient Israelites' entire mode of existence was affected by their belief that throughout history they stood in a unique relationship with the divine. The people of Israel believed that their response to the divine presence in history was central not only for themselves but for all humankind. Furthermore, God-as person-had revealed in a particular encounter the pattern and structure of communal and individual life to this people. Claiming sovereignty over the people because of his continuing action in history on their behalf, he had established a covenant ( berit) with them and required from them obedience to his teaching, or law ( Torah). This obedience was a further means by which the divine presence was made manifest-expressed in concrete human existence. The corporate life of the chosen community was thus a summons to the rest of humankind to recognize God's presence, sovereignty, and purpose-the establishment of peace and well-being in the universe and in humankind.

History, moreover, disclosed not only God's purpose but also humankind's inability to live in accord with it. Even the chosen community failed in its obligation and had to be summoned back, time and again, to its responsibility by the prophets-the divinely called spokespersons who warned of retribution within history and argued and reargued the case for affirmative human response. Israel's role in the divine economy and thus Israel's particular culpability were dominant themes sounded against the motif of fulfillment, the ultimate triumph of the divine purpose, and the establishment of divine sovereignty over all humankind.

General observations

Nature and characteristics

In nearly 4,000 years of historical development, the Jewish people and their religion have displayed a remarkable adaptability and continuity. In their encounter with the great civilizations, from ancient Babylonia and Egypt to Western Christendom and modern secular culture, they have assimilated foreign elements and integrated them into their own social and religious systems, thus maintaining an unbroken religious and cultural tradition. Furthermore, each period of Jewish history has left behind it a specific element of a Judaic heritage that continued to influence subsequent developments, so that the total Jewish heritage at any given time is a combination of all these successive elements along with whatever adjustments and accretions have occurred in each new age.

The various teachings of Judaism have often been regarded as specifications of the central idea of monotheism. One God, the creator of the world, has freely elected the Jewish people for a unique covenantal relationship with himself. This one and only God has been affirmed by virtually all professing Jews in a variety of ways throughout the ages.

Jewish monotheism has had both universalistic and particularistic features. Along universal lines, it has affirmed a God who created and rules the entire world and who at the end of history will redeem all Israel (the classical name for the Jewish people), all humankind, and indeed the whole world. The ultimate goal of all nature and history is an unending reign of cosmic intimacy with God, entailing universal justice and peace. Between creation and redemption lies the particularistic designation of the Jewish people as the locus of God's activity in the world, as the people chosen by God to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" ( Exodus 19:6). This arrangement is designated a covenant and is structured by an elaborate and intricate law. Thus, the Jewish people are both entitled to special privileges and burdened with special responsibilities from God. As the prophet Amos (8th century bce) expressed it: "You alone have I intimately known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities" (Amos 3:2). The universal goal of the Jewish people has frequently expressed itself in messianism-the idea of a universal, political realm of justice and peace. In one form or another, messianism has permeated Jewish thinking and action throughout the ages, and it has strongly influenced the outlook of many secular-minded Jews ( see also eschatology).

Law embraces practically all domains of Jewish life, and it became the principle means by which Judaism was to bring about the reign of God on earth. It is a total guide to religious and ethical conduct, involving ritualistic observance as well as individual and social ethics. It is a liturgical and ethical way constantly expatiated on by the prophets and priests, by rabbinic sages, and by philosophers. Such conduct was to be performed in the service of God, the transcendent and immanent ruler of the universe, the Creator and the propelling force of nature, and the one giving guidance and purpose to history. According to Judaic belief, this divine guidance is manifested through the history of the Jewish people, which will culminate in the messianic age. Judaism, whether in its "normative" form or in its sectarian deviations, never completely departed from this basic ethical and historical monotheism.
Salo Wittmayer Baron Lou Hackett Silberman

Periodization

The division of the millennia of Jewish history into periods is a procedure frequently dependent on philosophical predilections. The Christian world long believed that until the rise of Christianity the history of Judaism was but a "preparation for the Gospel" ( preparatio evangelica) that was followed by the "manifestation of the Gospel" ( demonstratio evangelica) as revealed by Christ and the Apostles. This formulation could be theologically reconciled with the assumption that Christianity had been preordained even before the creation of the world.

In the 19th century, biblical scholars moved the decisive division back to the period of the Babylonian Exile and the restoration of the Jews to the kingdom of Judah (6th-5th century bce). They asserted that after the first fall of Jerusalem (586 bce) the ancient "Israelitic" religion gave way to a new form of the "Jewish" faith, or Judaism, as formulated by the reformer Ezra (5th century bce) and his school. In Die Entstehung des Judentums (1896; "The Origin of Judaism") the German historian Eduard Meyer argued that Judaism originated in the Persian period, or the days of Ezra and Nehemiah (5th century bce); indeed, he attributed an important role in shaping the emergent religion to Persian imperialism.

These theories, however, have been discarded by most scholars in the light of a more comprehensive knowledge of the ancient Middle East and the abandonment of a theory of gradual evolutionary development that was dominant at the beginning of the 20th century. Most Jews share a long-accepted notion that there never was a real break in continuity and that Mosaic-prophetic-priestly Judaism was continued, with only a few modifications, in the work of the Pharisaic and rabbinic sages well into the modern period. Even today the various Jewish groups-whether Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform-all claim direct spiritual descent from the Pharisees and the rabbinic sages. In fact, however, many developments have occurred within so-called normative or Rabbinic Judaism.

In any event, the history of Judaism can be divided into the following major periods: biblical Judaism (c. 20th-4th century bce), Hellenistic Judaism (4th century bce-2nd century ce), Rabbinic Judaism (2nd-18th century ce), and modern Judaism (c. 1750 to the present).
Salo Wittmayer Baron

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Judaism | Definition, Origin, History, Beliefs, & Facts

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Judaism, monotheistic religion developed among the ancient Hebrews. Judaism is characterized by a belief in one transcendent God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions.

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Islam is a monotheistic, abrahamic religion whose followers are called muslims. It was founded in the 7th century by the prophet Muhammad who followers of islam belive to be the final revelation of Allah. Their holy book is the Quran and their faith is based off of 5 pillars. These pillars are Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj. They have a pilgrimage in which they travel to mecca. Something i found extremly interesting is that the arabic word "Islam" directly translates to a submission or surrender to the will of God. Something interesting is also how their lives follow more of a disicpline and life long goal instead of more ritualistic. Reflecting on this i wonder how it is to pray 5 times and how exactly it can impact someone's work-life balance in society. Its also fascinating to me how muslims do make this work within teh demanding social and work heavy society. I was also interested in teh manner in which jesus is mentioned in their holy works but he plays a different part than within teh christian faith

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What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe that Islam was revealed over 1,400 years ago in Mekkah, Arabia through a man called Muhammad.

Muhammad is so respected that it is usual for Muslims to say 'peace be upon him' whenever they mention his name.

Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God (Allah). They believe God sent prophets to mankind to teach them how to live according to His law.

Jesus (Isa), Moses (Musa) and Abraham (Ibrahim) are other respected prophets.

Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam are an important part of Muslim life. They are five things that a Muslim must do so they can live a good and responsible life. They include:

The declaration of faith (Shahada)

Praying five times a day (Salat)

Giving money to charity (Zakah)

Fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm)

A pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in a lifetime (Hajj)

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What is Islam and what do Muslims believe in? - BBC Bitesize

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Learn what Islam is and discover its religious teachings with this KS2 religious studies guide.

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Islam is a religion found mostly in Asia and the Middle East. Surprisingly, most Muslims live in the Pakistan-India-Bangladesh region. It began around 600 A.D. with the rise of Muhammad, Islam's greatest prophet. They had about 25 prophets, including Jesus, but Muhammad was the most important and final one. Muslims follow the Qur'an as their holy book, along with the Hadith and Sunnah. According to Islam, Muhammad received visions and revelations from Allah which he recorded in the Qur'an. The other two books detail the sayings and life example of Muhammad. There are five pillars of Islam, the first being the confession of faith called the Shahada. It says, "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet." There other pillars are Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj. People tend to put Islam in a similar category as Christianity since they are both monistic religions that emerged around the same time, but their cores are fundamentally different. Christians claim that Jesus was the Son of God who died on the Cross for humanity, but Islam both rejects that Jesus was God and that he died on the cross.

Rahman, Fazlur. “Islam - Eschatology (Doctrine of Last Things) | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Islam/Eschatology-doctrine-of-last-things.

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Sikhism is a religion that is fairly new in terms of a world religion. they have many beliefs such as one creator, they only serve one God. They also treat everyone as an equal, they believe that it is immoral to show distinction or rank. Some other thing that they value is Baptism, avoiding the 5 sins of ego, keeping the color code, following the 4 commandments, reciting daily prayers, and taking part in fellowship. They live by 3 primary principles, always be absorbed in meditation and prayer, make an honest income by honorable methods, and share earnings and selflessly serve others. As mentioned before they believe in the 5 sins of ego. Some of these are lust, anger, and attachment. Lastly, they really cherish there fellowship time with others and with there God.

Khalsa, Sukhmandir. “What Are the Principle Sikh Beliefs?” Learn Religions, 2018, www.learnreligions.com/primary-sikh-beliefs-2993513.

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I chose to learn about Sikhism because I know very little about this religion, honestly, I don't know anything about it. Sikhism was founded in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia by Guru Nanak and is based on the belief in one God, equality of all people and living an honest and selfless life. They have a holy book called the Guru Granth Sahib and follow the teachings of the ten Gurus. They have important practices like community service, and rejecting gender discrimination. I found it interesting how strongly Sikhism emphasizes on the importance of helping others. This made me realize and think about how religion can promote social justice and not only personal belief. One question I still have is how Sikhs balance religious traditions with modern life in different countries.

Source:https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism

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I'm a Christian, but I decided to research Christianity. I know, I know, seems like Im taking the easy route, but hear me out. I wanted to talk about what Christianity is, what being a Christian means, because it's a hard topic to talk about and understand, it's so incredibly backwards that no one can understand it! Only those who God grants understanding to can comprehend the things we believe. I used two sources, Got Questions and Desiring God (note, desiring God talked about what being a Christian looks like, not what is christianity). So what is Christianity? it is the faith in a triune God who created all and sent his only son to die on a cross to save our souls from sinful human nature. And as John Piper put it; “Christianity is not merely believing a set of ideas about Christ’s love. It is an experience of being constrained by that love.” We can logically agree and believe God is real and trust in him logically, but it is something entirely different to believe in him with genuine faith, granted only by Gods saving grace, which in turn changes us from our sinful nature into a slave of Christ, in love. Slave is a strong word, no? Why do we use it? Because we have been bought with the blood of Christ, from sin, to be servants and children of God for forever. We do not just decide to walk away from the faith, as Jesus says, we can't serve two masters.

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The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of "do's and don'ts," the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Beyond these core beliefs, there are many other items that are, or at least should be, indicative of what Christianity is and what Christians believe. Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired, "God-breathed" Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Christians believe in one God that exists in three persons-the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God, but sin separates all men from God (Romans 3:23; 5:12). Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ walked this earth, fully God, and yet fully man (Philippians 2:6-11), and died on the cross. Christians believe that after His death, Christ was buried, He rose again, and now lives at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for the believers forever (Hebrews 7:25). Christianity proclaims that Jesus' death on the cross was sufficient to completely pay the sin debt owed by all men and this is what restores the broken relationship between God and man (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:10; Romans 5:8; 6:23).

Christianity teaches that in order to be saved and be granted entrance into heaven after death, one must place one's faith entirely in the finished work of Christ on the cross. If we believe that Christ died in our place and paid the price of our own sins, and rose again, then we are saved. There is nothing that anyone can do to earn salvation. We cannot be "good enough" to please God on our own, because we are all sinners (Isaiah 53:6; 64:6-7). There is nothing more to be done, because Christ has done all the work! When He was on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30), meaning that the work of redemption was completed.

According to Christianity, salvation is freedom from the old sin nature and freedom to pursue a right relationship with God. Where we were once slaves to sin, we are now slaves to Christ (Romans 6:15-22). As long as believers live on this earth in their sinful bodies, they will engage in a constant struggle with sin. However, Christians can have victory in the struggle with sin by studying and applying God's Word in their lives and being controlled by the Holy Spirit-that is, submitting to the Spirit's leading in everyday circumstances.

So, while many religious systems require that a person do or not do certain things, Christianity is about believing that Christ died on the cross as payment for our own sins and rose again. Our sin debt is paid and we can have fellowship with God. We can have victory over our sin nature and walk in fellowship and obedience with God. That is true biblical Christianity.

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What is Christianity and what do Christians believe?

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The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices.

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Buddhism, unofficially founded by Gautama, is all about achieving ultimate enlightenment and began in Northern India spreading to Asia, Africa, Europe, and then to the rest of the world. . Buddha's aim was to escape suffering and released through the cycle of rebirth. Buddhist's today have a similar aim to reach a certain level of enlightenment through meditation and is complete when they have reached nirvana which is an eternal state of happiness and peace. Following the belief of rebirth, Buddhists believe that based on how well one has behaved, otherwise known as karma and the merits one achieves through actions such as visiting the temple, making donations to a monk, or repeating chants to cleanse the mind from worldly desires. At the heart of Buddhas dharma which are Buddha's original teachings, are The Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths are that 1: suffering exists, 2: desire is the cause of suffering. 3: there is freedom from suffering, and 4: The Eightfold Path is the way to freedom from suffering. The Eightfold Path comprises eight ways of living that will help a Buddhist reach nirvana: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Basically, the more you can make yourself “right,” the better chance you have of escaping rebirth. There are three main sects that are typically practiced in the west. First there is the oldest kind of Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism which is the most conservative and strictly follow the Pali Cannon- Buddhas oldest teachings- they emphasize the Buddha’s claim that he was an ordinary man, not a god. Like Buddha, they believe divine beings may exist but cannot help us, so they work rigorously to attain nirvana. The second branch is the Mahayana Buddhism and is the largest and a more liberal. They follow the Sanskrit version of the Buddha’s teachings, Sutras maintain there are multiple universes and multiple Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas are figures that have already attained nirvana, but instead of going there immediately, they have compassionately chosen to wait and assist individuals who cannot get there on their own for various reasons, such as lack of discipline or insufficient merit making. The last main branch is the Vajrayana Buddhism is an offshoot of Mahayana Buddhism with a special emphasis on the magical and the occult. They branch off of the Mahayana Buddhists adding to the scripture of sacred texts called Tantras. These texts have roots in Hinduism and describe secret methodologies and practices to hasten the path to nirvana. There is also an important circular diagram known as the mandala that represents cosmic spaces and spiritual relationships. Deep meditation on the mandala leads to out-of-body experiences.

Source: https://www.imb.org/2018/04/27/know-basics-buddhism/

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So, I have looked into various of these religions in my lifetime, and the bigger questions always comes not to, "what is religion," but, "what is Truth?" So, to take a deeper look into Christianity here - we can conclude that all religions can be false, but not all true. So, having proven there is objective Truth, and truth is not relative - and having proven that Christianity is true based off of the evidence - Jesus is the most proven historical figure, the reliable manuscripts, signs miracles and wonders etc. - let's talk about what Christianity is! Because it is true, you would want to know it too! So, Jesus came into the world, as Man, though He is the Son of God, and came to die for us, so that we wouldn't have to die! He came to restore our relationship with the Father, which was broken because of the Fall of man, which is where sin came from, and we can now know Him because of what He has accomplished! Christianity isn't about certain festivals or rituals - its about Jesus, us knowing Jesus, and because we love Him, we follow His commandments which = obedience, going to church, praying, and reading your Bible. Christianity is True, not because it is called a religion - but because it is not manmade and has been proven to be true; the Word was given by God Himself! His Word is Truth! All other mankind religions are false because it is untrue and fantasy. Thank you!

Cites:

Bible

“How Do We Know What Truth Is?” Christianity.com, www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-do-we-know-what-truth-is.html.

‌

MyBib Contributors. “MLA Citation Generator – Easy & Free – (8th Edition, 2019).” MyBib, 26 May 2019, www.mybib.com/tools/mla-citation-generator.

Other great cite:

https://youtu.be/Dk6jc4NcmjQ?si=1NW58eZDTj3zGH40

‌

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I researched about Hinduism. Hinduism is the oldest religion that goes back 4,000 years. It is the third largest religion in the world with 1 billion followers. They worship many deities including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga. Worship can happen in shrines at a person's home or in temples. The cow is considered to be sacred and seen as life and abundance. Hindus are vegetarian because of the principle of ahimsa which is nonviolence. Some of their festivals include Diwali and Holi. Some of their oldest scriptures that contain hymns and rituals is the Vedas. Some of their core beliefs are Brahman which is one supreme reality that is expressed through many gods, Karma which is that every action has a consequence, Reincarnation which the soul is reborn until it achieves liberation, and Dharma which is one's duty and ethical path in life. It was interesting to learn more about Hinduism. It was interesting that a lot of art and architecture is influenced by Hinduism. Plus the word Karma is used a lot in daily expressions when things happen.

Source:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism/General-nature-of-Hinduism

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Hi! I decided to choose one of the largest, if not the largest, major world religion, Christianity. :) The three major world religions that I find the most fascinating, and are surprisingly similar, are Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Christianity is a monotheistic religion which believes that there is one God that is three in person: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The main point of Christianity is the Son, Jesus Christ, coming down from heaven, living a sinless life, dying on the cross, and rising from the grave on the third day. Christianity teaches that God’s Son is the Messiah who will save the world. Moreover, it teaches that Jesus Christ will come again and will create a new heaven and earth. The Chrisitan book, the Bible, is a collection of 66 books and 40 authors written over a span of 1,500 years. The Bible’s Old Testament is similar to the Torah (Jewish text) in that both contain the first five books written by Moses. Moreover, the Quron and the Bible are not necessarily similar but share similar stories. For example, the Quron teaches that Jesus Christ did in fact walk this earth; however, they argue that Jesus was merely a prophet. As stated above, Christianity believes that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. Overall, I think Christianity is a very important major world religion to discuss and talk about.

Works Cited

History.com Editors. “Christianity.” HISTORY, March 18, 2024. Christianity ‑ Dogma, Definition & Beliefs | HISTORY. Accessed March 18, 2025.

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Christianity - Dogma, Definition & Beliefs

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Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the world, with more than 2 billion followers. The Christian faith centers on beliefs regarding the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Sikhism, founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India, is a monotheistic religion emphasizing equality, justice, and community service. Sikhs believe in one timeless and formless God, advocating for the oneness of all humanity and rejecting discrimination based on social identities such as gender, caste, or ethnicity. Central practices include daily meditation on God's name (Naam Japo), earning an honest living (Kirat Karo), and sharing with others (Vand Chakko). Initiated Sikhs, known as Khalsa, adhere to the Five Ks: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kirpan (small dagger), and Kachera (special undergarments), each symbolizing spiritual ideals. Worship involves singing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the central scripture, and concludes with Ardas, a set prayer. The communal kitchen, or langar, serves free meals to all, embodying the principle of equality. I find the emphasis on universal equality and the practice of langar particularly inspiring, as they promote inclusivity and selfless service. This raises questions about how these principles are applied in diverse cultural contexts and how they influence Sikhs' interactions within broader societies.

britannica.com

sikhcoalition.org

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I know that this seems like an obvious choice but it is really deep and cool! Christianity started around 2000 years ago! It started really in the New Testament when people who were not Jews were invited to be able to have the gospel and be saved by Jesus Christ. The united Staes is the country that holds the most christians in the world. There are different types of christians such as prodestans and catholics. And even inside those there are controversial topics. Such as calvinism and when to be able to take communion. But it is still very beautiful. It holds the true peace for our lives and how we live. Every year on a Sunday as christians. They get to celebrate Jesus's resurrection. Because death has no power over him! I love all the worship music that christians sing and perform!

https://www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/projects/faith-and-belief-practice/overview-christianity#:~:text=A%20brief%20overview%20of%20Christianity&text=Christians%20believe%20that%20Jesus%20was,the%20consequences%20of%20its%20sins.

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Christianity is the most popular religion in the world with over 2,000 million adherents. 42 million Britons see themselves as nominally Christian, and there are 6 million who are actively practising.

Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.

Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Christians believe that God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins.

One of the most important concepts in Christianity is that of Jesus giving his life on the Cross (the Crucifixion) and rising from the dead on the third day (the Resurrection).

Christians believe that there is only one God, but that there are three elements to this one God:

God the Father.

God the Son.

The Holy Spirit.

Christians worship in churches.

Their spiritual leaders are called priests or ministers.

The Christian holy book is the Bible, and consists of the Old and New Testaments.

Christian holy days such as Easter and Christmas are important milestones in the Western secular calendar.

Further information available at:

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A brief overview of Christianity Christianity is the most popular religion in the world with over 2,000 million adherents. 42 million Britons see themselves as nominally Christian, and there are 6 million who are actively practising. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament.

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Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) over 2,500 years ago in India, is a non-theistic faith focused on achieving enlightenment, or nirvana, through morality, meditation, and wisdom as a way to escape the suffering that the faith says we all innately have. Its teaching revolved around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which guide followers in overcoming this said suffering (Editors). Buddhism emphasizes values like compassion and non-attachment, encouraging a life that follows the five moral precepts while embracing its concept of karma and reincarnation. It has diverse interpretations and practices with major branches like Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan Buddhism (Editors). It includes a text called the Tipitaka and has a festivals called the Vesak (Editors). Something I found interesting was their idea on reincarnation and karma, how they allow that to determine the way they live their life. This makes me question about who or what determines what is good and bad and who or what determines what they become reincarnated as? Also, I wonder whether buddhists have any ideas on how the world started?

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/religion/buddhism

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Buddhism Beliefs and Practices

Some key Buddhism beliefs include:

Followers of Buddhism don't acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focus on achieving enlightenment-a state of inner peace and wisdom. When followers reach this spiritual echelon, they're said to have experienced nirvana.

The religion's founder, Buddha, is considered an extraordinary being, but not a god. The word Buddha means "enlightened."

The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists often meditate because they believe it helps awaken truth.

There are many philosophies and interpretations within Buddhism, making it a tolerant and evolving religion.

Some scholars don't recognize Buddhism as an organized religion, but rather, a "way of life" or a "spiritual tradition."

Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-indulgence but also self-denial.

Buddha's most important teachings, known as The Four Noble Truths, are essential to understanding the religion.

Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the continuous cycle of rebirth).

Followers of Buddhism can worship in temples or in their own homes.

Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict code of conduct, which includes celibacy.

There is no single Buddhist symbol, but a number of images have evolved that represent Buddhist beliefs, including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked dharma wheel, the Bodhi tree and the swastika (an ancient symbol whose name means "well-being" or "good fortune" in Sanskrit).

Founder of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as "the Buddha," lived during the 5th century B.C.

Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world.

He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and endure poverty. When this didn't fulfill him, he promoted the idea of the "Middle Way," which means existing between two extremes. Thus, he sought a life without social indulgences but also without deprivation.

After six years of searching, Buddhists believe Gautama found enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. He spent the rest of his life teaching others about how to achieve this spiritual state.

When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. Buddha's teachings became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism.

In the 3rd century B.C., Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Indian emperor, made Buddhism the state religion of India. Buddhist monasteries were built, and missionary work was encouraged.

Over the next few centuries, Buddhism began to spread beyond India. The thoughts and philosophies of Buddhists became diverse, with some followers interpreting ideas differently than others.

In the sixth century, the Huns invaded India and destroyed hundreds of Buddhist monasteries, but the intruders were eventually driven out of the country.

Islam began to spread quickly in the region during the Middle Ages, forcing Buddhism into the background.

Types of Buddhism

Today, many forms of Buddhism exist around the world. The three main types that represent specific geographical areas include:

Theravada Buddhism: Prevalent in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Burma

Mahayana Buddhism: Prevalent in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam

Tibetan Buddhism: Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia and northern India

Zen Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism that's practiced in many of the same areas. It emphasizes simplicity and meditation-the word "zen" means meditation-in lieu of religious scripture, ceremonies or doctrines.

Nirvana Buddhism is closely related to Theravada Buddhism, but the concept of nirvana is also central to many paths of Buddhism. The term nirvana means "blowing out," as a candle is blown out, thus ending all attachment and desire to achieve a state of pure enlightenment.

Each of these types reveres certain texts and has slightly different interpretations of Buddha's teachings.

Some forms of Buddhism incorporate ideas of other religions and philosophies, such as Taoism and Bon.

Dharma

Buddha's teachings are known as "dharma." He taught that wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity and compassion were important virtues.

Specifically, all Buddhists live by five moral precepts, which prohibit:

Killing living things

Taking what is not given

Sexual misconduct

Lying

Using drugs or alcohol

Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths, which Buddha taught, are:

The truth of suffering (dukkha)

The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)

The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)

The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)

Collectively, these principles explain why humans hurt and how to overcome suffering.

Eightfold Path

The Buddha taught his followers that the end of suffering, as described in the fourth Noble Truths, could be achieved by following an Eightfold Path.

In no particular order, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism teaches the following ideals for ethical conduct, mental disciple and achieving wisdom:

Right understanding (Samma ditthi)

Right thought (Samma sankappa)

Right speech (Samma vaca)

Right action (Samma kammanta)

Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)

Right effort (Samma vayama)

Right mindfulness (Samma sati)

Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

Buddhist Holy Book

Buddhists revere many sacred texts and scriptures. Some of the most important are:

Tipitaka: These texts, known as the "three baskets," are thought to be the earliest collection of Buddhist writings.

Sutras: There are more than 2,000 sutras, which are sacred teachings embraced mainly by Mahayana Buddhists.

The Book of the Dead: This Tibetan text describes the stages of death in detail.

Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is the leading monk in Tibetan Buddhism. Followers of the religion believe the Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past lama that has agreed to be born again to help humanity. There have been 14 Dalai Lamas throughout history.

The Dalai Lama also governed Tibet until the Chinese took control in 1959. The current Dalai Lama, Lhamo Thondup, was born in 1935.

Buddhist Holidays

Every year, Buddhists celebrate Vesak, a festival that commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.

During each quarter of the moon, followers of Buddhism participate in a ceremony called Uposatha. This observance allows Buddhists to renew their commitment to their teachings.

They also celebrate the Buddhist New Year and participate in several other yearly festivals.

Sources

Buddhism: An Introduction, PBS.
Buddhism, Ancient History Encyclopedia.
The History of Buddha, History Cooperative.
Demographics of Buddhism, Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs.
Religions: Buddhism, BBC.
Buddhist Scriptures, Georgetown University Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, & World Affairs.
The Noble Eightfold Path: Tricycle.
What Is Zen Buddhism and How Do You Practice It? Lion's Roar.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

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Buddhism - Definition, Founder & Origins

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Buddhism is a religion that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama ("The Buddha") more than 2,500 years ago in India. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider Buddhism one of the major world religions.

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Hinduism is a diverse and ancient religion rooted in Indian culture. The oldest religion in the world is characterised by its belief in a universal spirit called Brahman, which manifests in various forms and deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi. Central to Hinduism are concepts like karma, dharma, and moksha—emphasising the moral law of cause and effect, the duty of individuals based on their role in life, and the ultimate liberation of the soul from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). The rituals, festivals, and scriptures, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, play a significant role in guiding spiritual practice. What I found particularly fascinating is the singular nature of Hinduism, which allows for many paths to the divine and respects diverse beliefs within its framework. It raises questions about how such a vast and inclusive system has influenced global religious practices and how individuals interpret their duties (dharma) in modern contexts. Reflecting on this, I wonder how Hinduism's emphasis on interconnectedness and balance with nature can address contemporary issues like climate change and social inequality.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism

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Home Philosophy & Religion Religious Beliefs
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Hinduism, major world religion originating on the Indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Although the name Hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by British writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition of texts and practices, some of which date to the 2nd millennium bce or possibly earlier. If the Indus valley civilization (3rd-2nd millennium bce) was the earliest source of these traditions, as some scholars hold, then Hinduism is the oldest living religion on Earth. Its many sacred texts in Sanskrit and vernacular languages served as a vehicle for spreading the religion to other parts of the world, though ritual and the visual and performing arts also played a significant role in its transmission. From about the 4th century ce, Hinduism had a dominant presence in Southeast Asia, one that would last for more than 1,000 years.

In the early 21st century, Hinduism had nearly one billion adherents worldwide and was the religion of about 80 percent of India's population. Despite its global presence, however, it is best understood through its many distinctive regional manifestations.

Overview

The term Hinduism

The term Hinduism became familiar as a designator of religious ideas and practices distinctive to India with the publication of books such as Hinduism (1877) by Sir Monier Monier-Williams, the notable Oxford scholar and author of an influential Sanskrit dictionary. Initially it was an outsiders' term, building on centuries-old usages of the word Hindu. Early travelers to the Indus valley, beginning with the Greeks and Persians, spoke of its inhabitants as "Hindu" (Greek: 'indoi), and, in the 16th century, residents of India themselves began very slowly to employ the term to distinguish themselves from the Turks. Gradually the distinction became primarily religious rather than ethnic, geographic, or cultural.

Since the late 19th century, Hindus have reacted to the term Hinduism in several ways. Some have rejected it in favour of indigenous formulations. Others have preferred " Vedic religion," using the term Vedic to refer not only to the ancient religious texts known as the Vedas but also to a fluid corpus of sacred works in multiple languages and an orthoprax (traditionally sanctioned) way of life. Still others have chosen to call the religion sanatana dharma ("eternal law"), a formulation made popular in the 19th century and emphasizing the timeless elements of the tradition that are perceived to transcend local interpretations and practice. Finally, others, perhaps the majority, have simply accepted the term Hinduism or its analogues, especially hindu dharma (Hindu moral and religious law), in various Indic languages.

World Religions & Traditions

Since the early 20th century, textbooks on Hinduism have been written by Hindus themselves, often under the rubric of sanatana dharma. These efforts at self-explanation add a new layer to an elaborate tradition of explaining practice and doctrine that dates to the 1st millennium bce. The roots of Hinduism can be traced back much farther-both textually, to the schools of commentary and debate preserved in epic and Vedic writings from the 2nd millennium bce, and visually, through artistic representations of yakshas (luminous spirits associated with specific locales and natural phenomena) and nagas (cobralike divinities), which were worshipped from about 400 bce. The roots of the tradition are also sometimes traced back to the female terra-cotta figurines found ubiquitously in excavations of sites associated with the Indus valley civilization and sometimes interpreted as goddesses.

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Hinduism | Origin, History, Beliefs, Gods, & Facts

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Hinduism, major world religion originating on the Indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. If the Indus valley civilization (3rd-2nd millennium BCE) was the earliest source of Hindu traditions, then Hinduism is the oldest living religion on Earth.

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Bahá’í is the youngest religion of the 19th century Well known as Bahaullah of Persia or Iran. It focuses on the oneness of all religions and people and above all, it regard all the major world’s religions as different stages of Divine revelation at different stages in history. At the heart of its tenets is the premise that mankind has to pull together in order to fashion a tolerant and equitable world by believing in values such as education for all, eradicating discrimination, and equality for women. Also, Bahá’ís refer to unity of religion and science; religious and secular; spiritual and material development. The essay also focuses on the belief system concerning a global order in which an international auxiliary language is used, economic principles that are equitable, and spiritual. The main message of the faith is unity and peace while the current world situation hereby creates an astounding sense of imaginary along with raising certain questions pertaining to the real world like whether the unification of world can really be a conceivable thought.

Bahá'í Teachings Overview​(

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Buddhism is a religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago in India. It focuses on the Four Noble Truths, which describe the nature of suffering, its causes, and how to overcome it through the Eightfold Path. This path emphasizes ethical conduct, wisdom, and mental discipline, helping practitioners achieve enlightenment, or Nirvana, which is freedom from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. One aspect I found particularly interesting is Buddhism’s focus on mindfulness and meditation as essential tools for self-awareness and mental clarity. These practices seem ahead of their time and have even influenced modern approaches to mental health and stress management. Reflecting on this, I wonder how different schools of Buddhism have maintained their practices while spreading to various cultures and adapting to new traditions. Additionally, I’m curious about how Buddhism’s non-theistic approach has shaped its global appeal, making it both a philosophy and a spiritual practice.

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Buddhism is one of the world's major religions. It originated in South Asia around the 5th century B.C.E. with Siddhartha Gautama, and over the next millennia it spread across Asia and the rest of the world. Buddhists believe that human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but that if one achieves a state of enlightenment (), it is possible to escape this cycle forever. Siddhartha Gautama was the first person to reach this state of enlightenment and was, and is still today, known as the Buddha. Buddhists do not believe in any kind of deity or god, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path towards enlightenment.

Born on the Nepali side of the present day Nepal-India border, Siddhartha Gautama was a prince around the fifth century B.C.E. who, upon seeing people poor and dying, realized that human life is suffering. He renounced his wealth and spent time as a poor beggar, meditating and traveling but ultimately, remaining unsatisfied, settling on something called "the Middle Way." This idea meant that neither extreme asceticism nor extreme wealth was the path to enlightenment, but rather, a way of life between the two extremes was. Eventually, in a state of deep meditation, he achieved enlightenment, or nirvana, underneath the Bodhi tree (the tree of awakening). The Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar, India-the site of his enlightenment-is now a major Buddhist pilgrimage site.

The Buddha taught about Four Noble Truths. The first truth is called "Suffering ( dukkha)," which teaches that everyone in life is suffering in some way. The second truth is "Origin of suffering ( samudāya)." This states that all suffering comes from desire ( tanhā). The third truth is "Cessation of suffering ( nirodha)," and it says that it is possible to stop suffering and achieve enlightenment. The fourth truth, "Path to the cessation of suffering ( magga)" is about the Middle Way, which is the steps to achieve enlightenment.

Buddhists believe in a wheel of rebirth into different bodies. This is connected to "karma," which refers to how a person's good or bad actions in the past or in their past lives can impact them in the future.

There are three main schools of Buddhism: Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. Mahayana Buddhism is common in China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. It emphasizes the role models of bodhisattvas (beings that have achieved enlightenment but return to teach humans). Theravada Buddhism is common in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Burma (Myanmar). It emphasizes a monastic lifestyle and meditation as the way to enlightenment. Vajrayana is the major school of Buddhism in the region of Tibet and in Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia. It offers followers a faster path to enlightenment than Mahayana or Theravada.

The head of the Tibetan school of Buddhism and traditional leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, fled from China-controlled Tibet in 1959 to India in fear of his life. Many Tibetan Buddhists actively resist Chinese control of the region. Recently, the current Dalai Lama, who is understood to be the 14th reincarnation of the first Dalai Lama, has raised questions over whether and where he will choose to reincarnate.

The National Geographic Society is making this content available under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA license. The License excludes the National Geographic Logo (meaning the words National Geographic + the Yellow Border Logo) and any images that are included as part of each content piece. For clarity the Logo and images may not be removed, altered, or changed in any way.

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Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana.

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Sikhism was founded in the 16th century in the Punjab district, which comprises parts of modern-day India and Pakistan. It has over twenty-five million adherents, ranking it as the sixth most current populous religion worldwide. The term 'Sikh' is derived from the Sanskrit word shishysa, meaning learner and seeker of truth. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, and Sikh doctirine is based on his and nine other Sikh guru's teachings, as well as the primary Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, which Sikhs consider to be a guru in itself.

Sikhism is monotheistic it prescribes that God is without form or Gender, residing within everyone, making themself known through nature, and that everyone is equal before, has direct access to, and can be redeemed through God. Sikhism emphasizes the importance of virtuous actions over empty religious rituals. Like neighbouring religions, Sikhism believes in the perpetual cycle of reincarnation, where one's current life is predicated on karma or lack of accumulated in past lives through actions and behaviours. To complete the cycle of reincarnation, Sikhs believe that one must achieve total knowledge and complete union with God.

A virtuous, karma-positive life, according to Sikhism, involves centralizing God, living honestly, working diligently, treating everyone equally, being charitable, and serving others. The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara, and the community of individuals who have been initiated into the Sikh faith is referred to as the Khalsa, which celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1999.

Bibliography:

“Religion: Sikhism.” BBC, BBC, 24 Sept. 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/.

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The Judaism religion has the belief of one God. This can also be referred to as monotheism. They believe that God is the creator of the world, and he takes no physical form. They also believe that God is eternal and will always be involved in what is going on in the world. The most sacred text to this religion is the Torah. To differ from Christianity, Judaism heavily emphasizes the fact that God is one, and that he never had a physical form on Earth. I find it interesting that Judaism and Christianity are so similar, but fundamentally have different basic knowledge. I say this because as Christians, the existence of Jesus is so important, but those who believe in Judaism don’t even acknowledge that since they believe in one god, not the Holy Trinity.

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Judaism: Founder, Beliefs & Facts | HISTORY

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Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Followers of Judaism believe in one God who revealed himself through ancient prophets. History is essential to understanding the Jewish faith, which is embedded in tradition, law and culture.

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Islam is a monotheistic religion. People who follow Islam are called Muslims. They believe in the prophets and think Jesus was a prophet rather than the son of God. They think that a prophet, Muhammad, was the most perfect, as well as the last, of God's messengers. Their sacred scripture is the Quran which has Muhammad's revelations from God. They also take his actions and use them as a guide. There are five main pillars in their beliefs; belief in God and his prophet and obligations of prayer, charity, pilgrimage, and fasting. Some of their special holidays include Muhammad's birthday and Ramadan. Ramadan is a month-long time of fasting where they fast every day from sun up to sun down. This starts very soon.

They have buildings similar to churches that are called mosques. These buildings are used for prayer. They have a couple of strict rules such as no gambling, fraud, alcohol, pork, or slander. They believe that they have to balance their good and bad deeds to be able to go to heaven. You need to do good things to outweigh your bad actions

Source: https://www.britannica.com/summary/Islam#:~:text=Islam%20is%20a%20strictly%20monotheistic,contains%20God's%20revelations%20to%20Muhammad.

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It is also known as Daoism and is a Chinese philosophy. It became the official religion of China under the Tang dynasty. The religion is all about going with the flow. They believe that a force flows through all things and they worship it. The philosopher that wrote the book "The book of the Way" wrote it because he was frustrated with how inconsiderate people were to others and how they only thought of themselves. He was also frustrated with how carrupt the government was. He wrote the book as he was escaping china and left it so that people could follow his writings, it was not scripture but poetry. I noticed that he was just trying to convince people to behave better and not be so negative to others and he was not trying to start a religion.

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Taoism (also known as Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu (c. 500 BCE) which developed from the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion.

It emphasizes doing what is natural and "going with the flow" in accordance with the Tao (or Dao), a cosmic force which flows through all things and binds and releases them. The philosophy grew from an observance of the natural world, and the religion developed out of a belief in cosmic balance maintained and regulated by the Tao. The original belief may or may not have included practices such as ancestor and spirit worship but both of these principles are observed by many Taoists today and have been for centuries.

Taoism exerted a great influence during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and the emperor Xuanzong (reigned 712-756 CE) decreed it a state religion, mandating that people keep Taoist writings in their home. It fell out of favor as the Tang Dynasty declined and was replaced by Confucianism and Buddhism but the religion is still practiced throughout China and other countries today.

Origins

The historian Sima Qian (145-86 BCE) tells the story of Lao-Tzu, a curator at the Royal Library in the state of Chu, who was a natural philosopher. Lao-Tzu believed in the harmony of all things and that people could live easily together if they only considered each other's feelings once in a while and recognized that their self-interest was not always in the interest of others. Lao-Tzu grew impatient with people and with the corruption he saw in government, which caused the people so much pain and misery. He was so frustrated by his inability to change people's behavior that he decided to go into exile.

As he was leaving China through the western pass, the gatekeeper Yin Hsi stopped him because he recognized him as a philosopher. Yin Hsi asked Lao-Tzu to write a book for him before he left civilization forever and Lao-Tzu agreed. He sat down on a rock beside the gatekeeper and wrote the Tao-Te-Ching (The Book of the Way). He stopped writing when he felt he was finished, handed the book to Yin Hsi, and walked through the western pass to vanish into the mist beyond. Sima Qian does not continue the story after this but, presumably (if the story is true) Yin Hsi would have then had the Tao-Te-Ching copied and distributed.

The Tao-Te-Ching

The Tao-Te-Ching is an attempt to remind people everyone could live together peacefully if people would only be mindful of how their thoughts and actions affect themselves, others, and the earth.

The Tao-Te-Ching is not a 'scripture' in any way. It is a book of poetry presenting the simple way of following the Tao and living life at peace with one's self, others, and the world of changes. A typical verse advises, "Yield and overcome/Empty and become full/Bend and become straight" to direct a reader to a simpler way of living. Instead of fighting against life and others, one can yield to circumstances and let the things which are not really important go. Instead of insisting one is right all the time, one can empty one's self of that kind of pride and be open to learning from other people. Instead of clinging to old belief patterns and hanging onto the past, one can bend to new ideas and new ways of living.

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The Tao-Te-Ching was most likely not written by Lao-Tzu at the western pass and may not have been written by him at all. Lao-Tzu probably did not exist and the Tao-Te-Ching is a compilation of sayings set down by an unknown scribe. Whether the origin of the book and the belief system originated with a man named Lao-Tzu or when it was written or how is immaterial (the book itself would agree) and all that matters is what the work says and what it has come to mean to readers. The Tao-Te-Ching is an attempt to remind people that they are connected to others and to the earth and that everyone could live together peacefully if people would only be mindful of how their thoughts and actions affect themselves, others, and the earth.

Yin-Yang Thought

A good reason to believe that Lao-Tzu was not the author of the Tao-Te-Ching is that the core philosophy of Taoism grew up from the peasant class during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE) long before the accepted dates for Lao-Tzu. During the Shang era, the practice of divination became more popular through the reading of oracle bones which would tell one's future. Reading oracle bones led to a written text called the I-Ching (c. 1250-1150 BCE), the Book of Changes, which is a book still available today providing a reader with interpretations for certain hexagrams which supposedly tell the future.

A person would ask a question and then throw a handful of yarrow sticks onto a flat surface (such as a table) and the I-Ching would be consulted for an answer to the person's question. These hexagrams consist of six unbroken lines (called Yang lines) and six broken lines (Yin). When a person looked at the pattern the yarrow sticks made when they were thrown, and then consulted the hexagrams in the book, they would have their answer. The broken and the unbroken lines, the yin and yang, were both necessary for that answer because the principles of yin and yang were necessary for life. Historian John M. Koller writes:

Yin-yang thought began as an attempt to answer the question of the origin of the universe. According to yin-yang thought, the universe came to be as a result of the interactions between the two primordial opposing forces of yin and yang. Because things are experienced as changing, as processes coming into being and passing out of being, they must have both yang, or being, and yin, or lack of being. The world of changing things that constitutes nature can exist only when there are both yang and yin. Without yang nothing can come into existence. Without yin nothing can pass out of existence (207).

Although Taoism and the Tao-Te-Ching were not originally associated with the symbol known as the yin-yang, they have both come to be because the philosophy of Taoism embodies the yin-yang principle and yin-yang thought. Life is supposed to be lived in balance, as the symbol of the yin and the yang expresses. The yin-yang is a symbol of opposites in balance - dark/light, passive/aggressive, female/male - everything except good and evil, life and death, because nature does not recognize anything as good or evil and nature does not recognize a difference between life and non-life. All is in harmony in nature, and Taoism tries to encourage people to accept and live that kind of harmony as well.

Beliefs

Other Chinese texts relating to Taoism are the Chaung-Tzu (also known as the Zhuangzi, written by Zhuang Zhou, c. 369-286 BCE) and the Daozang from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and Sung Dynasty (960-1234 CE) which was compiled in the later Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE). All of these texts are based on the same kinds of observation of the natural world and the belief that human beings are innately good and only needed a reminder of their inner nature to pursue virtue over vice. There are no "bad people" according to Taoist principles, only people who behave badly. Given the proper education and guidance toward understanding how the universe works, anyone could be a "good person" living in harmony with the earth and with others.

According to this belief, the way of the Tao is in accordance with nature while resistance to the Tao is unnatural and causes friction. The best way for a person to live, according to Taoism, is to submit to whatever life brings and be flexible. If a person adapts to the changes in life easily, that person will be happy; if a person resists the changes in life, that person will be unhappy. One's ultimate goal is to live at peace with the way of the Tao and recognize that everything that happens in life should be accepted as part of the eternal force which binds and moves through all things.

This philosophy corresponds closely with the Logos of the Roman stoics like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. They claimed the Logos was a force of reason and that nothing which happened according to the Logos could be bad; only people's interpretations of what happened made those circumstances seem bad. Taoism claims the same thing: nothing is bad in itself, only our self-interest makes us think that some events in life are bad and others good. Actually, all things happen in accordance with the flow of the Tao and, since the Tao is natural, all things are natural.

Unlike Buddhism (which came from India but became very popular in China), Taoism arose from the observations and beliefs of the Chinese people. The principles of Taoism impacted Chinese culture greatly because it came from the people themselves and was a natural expression of the way the Chinese understood the universe. The concept of the importance of a harmonious existence of balance fit well with the equally popular philosophy of Confucianism (also native to China). Taoism and Confucianism were aligned in their view of the innate goodness of human beings but differed in how to bring that goodness to the surface and lead people to act in better, unselfish, ways.

Taoism & Confucianism

The philosophy of Taoism grew into a religion of the peasant classes of the Shang Dynasty, who lived closely with nature. Their observations of the natural world influenced their philosophy, and one of the things they incorporated was the concept of eternity. The tree which seemed to die came back to life in the spring season and the grass grew again. They concluded that when people died they went somewhere else where they continued to live, they did not just disappear. Everyone's ancestor who had ever died still lived on in another place and in the presence of the gods; Confucians believed in this same concept and revered their ancestors as part of their daily practices.

Ancestor worship became a part of Taoist rituals, although the Tao-Te-Ching does not support it outright, and a reverence for nature and the spirits in nature - very similar to the Shintoism of Japan - came to characterize Taoist observances. Even though Taoism and Confucianism are very similar in many core beliefs, they are different in significant ways. A refusal to participate in strict rites and rituals sets Taoism apart most dramatically from the philosophy of Confucius. Koller writes:

Confucius advocated rites and music so that the desires and emotions might be developed and regulated, for therein lay the development of humanity. To Lao-Tzu, efforts to develop and regulate the desires and emotions seemed artificial, tending to interfere with the harmony of nature. Rather than organize and regulate things to achieve perfection, Lao-Tzu advocated letting things work to their perfection naturally. This means supporting all things in their natural state, allowing them to transform spontaneously (245).

To Lao-Tzu (the name is used here as an expression of Taoist thought), the more regulations one demanded, the harder one made one's life and the lives of others. If one relaxed the artificial rules and regulations which were supposed to improve life, only then would one find that life naturally regulates itself and one would fall into pace with the Tao which runs through and regulates and binds and releases all things naturally.

Rituals

This belief in allowing life to unfold in accordance with the Tao does not extend to Taoist rituals, however. The rituals of Taoist practice are absolutely in accordance with the Taoist understanding but have been influenced by Buddhist and Confucian practices so that, in the present day, they are sometimes quite elaborate. Every prayer and spell which makes up a Taoist ritual or festival must be spoken precisely and every step of the ritual observed perfectly. Taoist religious festivals are presided over by a Grand Master (a kind of High Priest) who officiates, and these celebrations can last anywhere from a few days to over a week. During the ritual, the Grand Master and his assistants must perform every action and recitation in accordance with tradition or else their efforts are wasted. This is an interesting departure from the usual Taoist understanding of "going with the flow" and not worrying about external rules or elaborate religious practices.

Taoist rituals are concerned with honoring the ancestors of a village, community, or city, and the Grand Master will invoke the spirits of these ancestors while incense burns to purify the area. Purification is a very important element throughout the ritual. The common space of everyday life must be transformed into sacred space to invite communion with the spirits and the gods. There are usually four assistants who attend the Grand Master in different capacities, either as musicians, sacred dancers, or readers. The Grand Master will act out the text as read by one of his assistants, and this text has to do with the ascent of the soul to join with the gods and one's ancestors. In ancient times, the ritual was performed on a staircase leading to an altar to symbolize ascent from one's common surroundings to the higher elevation of the gods. In the present day, the ritual may be performed on a stage or the ground, and it is understood from the text and the actions of the Grand Master that he is ascending.

The altar still plays an important part in the ritual as it is seen as the place where the earthly realm meets with the divine. Taoist households have their own private altars where people will pray and honor their ancestors, household spirits, and the spirits of their village. Taoism encourages individual worship in the home, and the rituals and festivals are community events which bring people together, but they should not be equated with worship practices of other religions such as attending church or temple. A Taoist can worship at home without ever attending a festival, and throughout its history most people have. Festivals are very expensive to stage and are usually funded by members of the town, village, or city. They are usually seen as celebrations of community, though are sometimes performed in times of need such as an epidemic or financial struggle. The spirits and the gods are invoked during these times to drive away the dark spirits causing the problems.

Conclusion

Taoism significantly influenced Chinese culture from the Shang Dynasty forward. The recognition that all things and all people are connected is expressed in the development of the arts, which reflect the people's understanding of their place in the universe and their obligation to each other. During the Tang Dynasty, Taoism became the state religion under the reign of the emperor Xuanzong because he believed it would create harmonious balance in his subjects and, for awhile, he was correct. Xuanzong's rule is still considered one of the most prosperous and stable in the history of China and the high point of the Tang Dynasty.

Taoism has been nominated as a state religion a number of times throughout China's history but the majority preferred the teachings of Confucius (or, at times, Buddhism), most likely because of the rituals of these beliefs which provide a structure Taoism lacks. Today, Taoism is recognized as one of the great world religions and continues to be practiced by people in China and throughout the world.

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Taoism (also known as Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu (c. 500 BCE) which developed from the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official...

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The Bahá’í Faith is a monotheistic religion that was founded in the 19th century by Bahá’u’lláh in Iran and parts of the Middle East. The religion teaches that all religions are essential and that all people are united. The Bahá’í Faith has three central figures: the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and his son, ʻAbdu’l-Bahá. The religion is estimated to have five to eight million adherents, known as Baháʼís, spread throughout most of the world’s countries and territories.

The Bahá’í Faith teaches that religion is revealed in an orderly and progressive way by a single God through Manifestations of God, who are the founders of major world religions throughout human history. Baháʼís regard the world’s major religions as fundamentally unified in purpose but diverging in terms of social practices and interpretations. The religion’s teachings address themes such as the oneness of God and religion, the oneness of humanity and freedom from prejudice, the inherent nobility of the human being, the progressive revelation of religious truth, the development of spiritual qualities, the integration of worship and service, the fundamental equality of the sexes, the harmony between religion and science, the centrality of justice to all human endeavors, the importance of education, and the dynamics of the relationships that are to bind together individuals, communities, and institutions as humanity advances towards its collective maturity.

What bahá’ís believe. The Bahá’í Faith. (n.d.). https://www.bahai.org/beliefs

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Islam was founded by Muhammad, who was "the last and perfect prophet." The people who follow Islam are called Muslims. Islam centers around the five pillars of Islam; belief in God and his Prophet, pray 5 times a day, give to the poor, complete the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), and a period of fasting. The scripture for Muslims is the Qur'an. Alcohol, pork, gambling, fraud, slander, and making idols is prohibited. Muslims believe that the only way to get to heaven is pleasing Allah (God) with good deeds.

https://www.britannica.com/summary/Islam#:~:text=Islam%20is%20a%20strictly%20monotheistic,contains%20God's%20revelations%20to%20Muhammad.

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Sikhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world. They believe in equality, social justice, service to humanity, and tolerance for other religions. The concepts of Sikhism are: Universal acceptance of all humanity, belief in one god (monotheism), the name of God is Truth, Equality of all personas irrespective of their cast, color, gender, nationality, and religion, and equality of the sexes is emphasized. They believe in reincarnation, but only for those who don’t “attain attachment to god during the human life cycle.” -Hannah DePaula-

https://tfhc.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/252224/nt-sikhism-fact-sheet.pdf

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Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, next to Christianity. Muslims worship only one, all-knowing God whom they call "Allah." The word Islam means "submission," which I find very interesting. Islam started in modern-day Saudi Arabia, because of the presumed "prophet" Muhammad. Islam is widely practiced in the Middle East and North Africa, but it also has several followers in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. There are obligations (or core beliefs) to the religion of Islam that can be summed up into the "Five Pillars of Islam." Belief in God and his Prophet (Muhammad), obligations of prayer, charity, pilgrimage, and fasting. It doesn't seem too far from Christianity in the context that they believe in one all-knowing God, however, it differs pretty drastically because they don't believe Jesus was God. They also rely heavily on and emphasize the importance of prophets.

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/religion/islam#:~:text=The%20word%20“Islam”%20means%20“,of%20complete%20submission%20to%20Allah.

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Islam Facts

The word "Islam" means "submission to the will of God."

Followers of Islam are called Muslims.

Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah.

Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah's permission, but humans have free will.

Islam teaches that Allah's word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.

Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah's law. They respect some of the same prophets as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jesus. Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet.

Mosques are places where Muslims worship.

Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina.

The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important book. Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.

Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.

A central idea in Islam is "jihad," which means "struggle." While the term has been used negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts to defend their faith. Although rare, this can include military jihad if a "just war" is needed.

Muhammad

The prophet Muhammad, sometimes spelled Mohammed or Mohammad, was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in A.D. 570. Muslims believe he was the final prophet sent by God to reveal their faith to mankind.

According to Islamic texts and tradition, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad in 610 while he was meditating in a cave. The angel ordered Muhammad to recite the words of Allah.

Muslims believe that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah throughout the rest of his life.

Starting in about 613, Muhammad began preaching throughout Mecca the messages he received. He taught that there was no other God but Allah and that Muslims should devote their lives to this God.

Hijra, Abu Bakr

In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his supporters. This journey became known as the Hijra (also spelled Hegira or Hijrah), and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many followers returned to Mecca and conquered the region. He continued to preach until his death in 632.

After Muhammad's passing, Islam began to spread rapidly. A series of leaders, known as caliphs, became successors to Muhammad. This system of leadership, which was run by a Muslim ruler, became known as a caliphate.

The first caliph was Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law and close friend.

Abu Bakr died about two years after he was elected and was succeeded in 634 by Caliph Umar, another father-in-law of Muhammad.

Caliphate System

When Umar was assassinated six years after being named caliph, Uthman, Muhammad's son-in-law, took the role.

Uthman was also killed, and Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was selected as the next caliph.

During the reign of the first four caliphs, Arab Muslims conquered large regions in the Middle East, including Syria, Palestine, Iran and Iraq. Islam also spread throughout areas in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The caliphate system lasted for centuries and eventually evolved into the Ottoman Empire, which controlled large regions in the Middle East from about 1517 until 1917, when World War I ended the Ottoman reign.

Sunnis and Shiites

When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites.

Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad.

Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real successors to Muhammad. They deny the legitimacy of the first three caliphs. Today, Shiite Muslims have a considerable presence in Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Other Types of Islam

Other, smaller Muslim denominations within the Sunni and Shiite groups exist. Some of these include:

Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab.

Alawite: This Shiite form of Islam is prevalent in Syria. Followers hold similar beliefs about the caliph Ali but also observe some Christian and Zoroastrian holidays.

Nation of Islam: This primarily Black, Sunni sect was founded in the 1930s in Detroit, Michigan. Black Muslims now comprise one-fifth of all Muslims in the United States.

Sufism: A mystical denomination of Islam, those who follow the Sufi faith seek to attain a purer state of existence through their personal and direct relationship with God.

Kharijites: This sect broke from the Shiites after disagreeing over how to select a new leader. They are known for radical fundamentalism, and today are called Ibadis.

Quran

The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur'an or Koran) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims.

It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and supercedes any previous writings.

Most Muslims believe that Muhammad's scribes wrote down his words, which became the Quran. (Muhammad himself was never taught to read or write.)

The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to Muhammad. It contains 114 chapters, which are called surahs.

Scholars believe the Quran was compiled shortly after Muhammad's death, under the guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr.

Islamic Calendar, Symbols

The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijra calendar, is a lunar calendar used in Islamic religious worship. The calendar began in the year A.D. 622, celebrating the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

The Islamic calendar indicates the proper days of Islamic holidays and celebrations, including the period of fasting and prayer known as Ramadan, which occurs during the ninth month of the calendar.

As in many religions, there is no single image or symbol of Islam that is universally accepted by all Muslims worldwide.

The crescent moon and star has been adopted in some predominantly Muslim countries as a symbol of Islam, though the crescent moon and star image is believed to pre-date Islam and was originally a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.

In some other applications, such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian aid movement, a red crescent indicates that followers of Islam are respected and treated accordingly.

The color green is also sometimes associated with Islam, as it was reportedly a favorite color of Muhammad's and is often featured prominently in the flags of predominantly Muslim countries.

Five Pillars of Islam

Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:

Shahada: to declare one's faith in God and belief in Muhammad

Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening)

Zakat: to give to those in need

Sawm: to fast during Ramadan

Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person's lifetime if the person is able

Sharia Law

Islam's legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives.

Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims.

If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh punishments. For example, the punishment for theft is amputating a person's hand. Adultery can carry the penalty of death by stoning. However, many Muslims do not support such extreme measures.

Muslim Prayer, Holidays

The prophet Muhammad is credited with building the first mosque in the courtyard of his house in Medina. Mosques today follow some of the same principles he established in A.D 622.

Muslim prayer is often conducted in a mosque's large open space or outdoor courtyard. A mihrab is a decorative feature or niche in the mosque that indicates the direction to Mecca, and therefore the direction to face during prayer.

Men and women pray separately, and Muslims may visit a mosque five times a day for each of the prayer sessions. In addition to hosting prayers, mosques often function as public gathering places and social centers.

The two major Muslim holidays are:

Eid al-Adha: celebrates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.

Eid al-Fitr: marks the end of Ramadan-the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Muslims also celebrate other holidays, such as the Islamic New Year and the birth of Muhammad.

Islam Today

In recent years, Islam's supposed association with terrorism and mass murder has sparked a political debate in many countries. The controversial term "radical Islam" has become a well-known label to describe the religion's connection to acts of violence.

Recent surveys have found that in countries with high Muslim populations, the majority of Muslims have overwhelmingly negative views of terrorist groups like ISIS.

While Muslims aim to clear up misconceptions about their faith, the religion continues to spread rapidly. Today, Islam is the world's fastest growing religion. Experts predict Islam will surpass Christianity as the largest religion by the end of the century.

Sources:

Islam, BBC.
Islam Fast Facts, CNN.
Basic Facts About Islam, PBS.
What is Sharia Law and How is it Applied? BBC.
In nations with significant Muslim populations, much disdain for ISIS. Pew Research Center.
Islam Rituals and Worship: Symbolism, The Religion Library.
The Islamic Calendar: TimeandDate.com.
Sufism. The British Library.
What is Sufism? The Threshold Society.
"Black Muslims account for a fifth of all U.S. Muslims, and about half are converts to Islam," by Besheer Mohamed and Jeff Diamant, January 17, 2019, Pew Research Center.

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Islam - Five Pillars, Nation of Islam & Definition

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Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with about 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the creation of Islam to the 7th century, making it the youngest of the major world religions.