Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Time and Place: Prehistoric India Founder/Leader:

Hinduism can not be traced back to one founder with a single set of ideas

Text: Vedas and Upanishads— The Vedas, was brought to India by the Aryans.

Later, Hindu teachers tried to explain the meaning of the Vedas in the Upanishads

Monotheistic or Polytheistic? Brahman (spirit) takes many forms

Brahma—The Creator Vishnu—The preserver Shiva—The Destroyer

Moksha—to achieve union w/ Brahman by freeing yourself from selfish desires

Reincarnation—rebirth of the soul in order to meet moksha

Karma-- actions of a person’s life that affect his or her fate in the next life (what goes around, comes around)

Dharma-- the religious and moral duties of an individual

Ahimsa—nonviolence. all people and things are part of Brahman and should be respected

Time & Place—Palestine (Canaan) around 2000 B.C.E, Fertile Crescent, Hebrews go to Egypt

Founder—Abraham Moses led Hebrews on Exodus from slavery in

Egypt David united Hebrews into one nation

(Jerusalem becomes capital of Israel) Text: Torah (Old Testament) FIRST MONOTHEISTIC RELIGION

God = Yahweh

•10 Commandments•Strong moral code of ethics/behavior

•Abraham makes a covenant : an agreement with God

•If Abraham and his followers followed God, God would lead them to the promise land

Diaspora-The Babylonians conquer Israel and force the Jews out, and they scatter all over the world.

Time/Place-- Northern India (500’s BCE) Founder—Siddartha Gautama Texts--Tripitaka (Three Baskets of Wisdom Monotheistic/Polytheistic?

NONE! Goal is to reach nirvana/enlightenment (end of reincarnation)

Four Noble Truths1. Everyone suffers and knows sorrow2. We suffer because of our desires3. We can end our suffering by eliminating our

desires4. We can eliminate our desires by following

the Eightfold Path Eightfold Path Right views, aspirations, speech, conduct,

livelihood, effort, mindfulness and contemplation.

Nonviolence towards living things.

•Time/Place-- Palestine C.E. 30. Roman Empire•Founder—Jesus Christ (Son of God, Messiah)•Paul was 1st missionary foundation of the Christian Church.•Apostles/Disciples – Jesus’ followers

•Text-- The Bible (Old and New Testament) •Monotheistic

Jesus is the son of God and savior for all humankind.

Preaches: forgiveness, kindness love, Salvation available to anyone who believes.

Also uses the 10 commandments.

Time/Place– Arabian Peninsula C.E. 622 Founder– Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Text– Qu’ran Monotheistic

Allah = Arabic word for God

Five Pillars of Islam1. Confession of Faith2. Pray 5x a day, facing Mecca3. Charity to the poor4. Fast during Ramadan5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Consider Jews and Christians “People of the Book” and accepts their prophets