CULTUREMAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha (the awakened one)

4th Largest Religion ~250-500 million followers

Buddhism

Three Jewels (foundations) Buddha The Dharma (teachings) Sangha (the community)

2 Major Branches Theravada (“The School

of the Elders”) Mahayana (“The Great

Vehicle”) Nirvana requires

sacrifice, but stops the cycle of suffering and death

Rebirth

Five Precepts1. To refrain from taking

life or ahimsā2. To refrain from taking

that which is not given

3. To refrain from sensual misconduct

4. To refrain from lying5. To refrain from

intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness

“Bottom-up” religion

Buddhism

Christianity

Trinity God (father), Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit

World’s Largest Religion ~1.5-2.2 Billion Followers

Christianity

Monotheistic Abrahamic ties to

Judaism Originated in

Mediterranean Jesus as Messiah 4 Major Branches

Catholic Eastern Orthodox Anglican Protestant

Sin Repentance + Jesus = Salvation

Text: Bible Soul lives forever

Creeds1. belief in God the

Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Spirit

2. the death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ

3. the holiness of the Church and the communion of saints

4. Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful.

Christianity

Hinduism

Formed of diverse traditions with no single founder

3rd Largest Religion ~1 Billion Followers

Hinduism

Texts: The Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and more!

Influenced by many other belief systems

Henotheistic Brahma the Creator Vishnu, (Krishna) the

Preserver Shiva, the Destroyer

2 Major Branches Vaishnavaism Shivaism

Doctrine of the Fourfold The three goals of the

"pravritti," those who are in the world, are:  dharma: righteousness

in their religious life. artha: success in their

economic life kama: gratification of

the senses The main goal for the

"nivritti," those who renounce the world. is: moksa: Liberation from

"samsara." This is considered the supreme goal of mankind

Hinduism

Islam

Muhammad Prophet for Allah

2nd Largest Religion ~1.57 Billion Followers

Islam

Abrahamic Monotheistic Text: Qur’an 2 Major Branches

Sunni (87-90%) Shi’ite (~10%)

Fastest growing religion

Youngest religion

Five Pillars Shahadah: “There

is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”

Salat: Requirement to pray five times a day

Zakat: The practice of charitable giving

Sawm: Fasting Hajj: Pilgrimage to

Mecca

Islam

Judaism

Covenantal relationship with God as revealed to Moses

Mostly ethno-religious 13 Million Followers

Judaism

Abrahamic Monotheistic

(oldest) Text: Torah,

Talmud and others.

12 Tribes Children of Israel

Inspired Christianity and Islam

3 Major Branches Orthodox Conservative Reform

13 Beliefs God exists. God is one and unique. God is incorporeal. God is eternal. Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to

no other. The words of the prophets are true. Moses was the greatest of the prophets, and

his prophecies are true. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible)

and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses.

There will be no other Torah. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men. God will reward the good and punish the

wicked. The Messiah will come. The dead will be resurrected

Judaism

THE END!

A non-Jew asked Rabbi Hillel to teach him everything about the Torah while standing on one foot. Rabbi Hillel responded: "What is hateful to you, don't do unto your neighbor. The rest is commentary. Now, go and study."