Five World

Religions

Five
Major
World
Religions

Hinduism

Buddhism

Judaism Christianity

Islam

2500 250 BC

Hinduism

The religion of Hinduism developed and evolved over a long time in India, giving
rise to a variety of beliefs and practices and to other religions, including Buddhism.
One of the oldest religions of humanity, founded in 1500 BCE or earlier.
It is the 3rd largest religion in the world.
No particular founder

Brahman

2500 250 BC

What do Hindus believe?

1. Brahman -the eternal being - created and

preserves the world. Everything in the world is an
aspect of Brahman.
2. Atman - the soul each person has one that is
an aspect of Brahman. Cant ever be destroyed.
3. Devas manifestations of Brahman that are
active in the world and who help to maintain order.
3 of the most commonBrahma, Vishnu, & Siva
4. Reincarnation being reborn into this world
lifetime after lifetime (Samsara)
5. Karma the sum effect of a persons actions,
good and bad, which helps shape future
experiences
6. Moksha - goal of human existence, escape from
the cycle of reincarnation to join with the Brahman.
7. Dharma set of spiritual duties and obligations
that must be fulfilled to achieve moksha.

What are the Sacred

Texts?

Oldest, most authoritative:

1. Four Vedas (truth) sacred hymns
of praise
Contain knowledge revealed by
Brahman
2. Upanishads philosophical
reflections on the Vedas
Also revealed to, not written by,
people
the Great Indian Epics (composed by
sages)
Ramayana
Mahabharata (includes BhagavadGita)
Both tell stories that reflect on
what it means to live according to
Vedic teachings

2500 250 BC

2500 250 BC

What are the religious

practices of Hinduism?

Vary greatly because worship can take place

anywhereusually a temple or in the home.
Spiritual leaders are called gurus or sages.
Yoga-integrated physical and mental exercises.
They teach people to focus their minds and bodies
which will aid their meditation in order to attain
moksha
Pilgrimage to Ganges (thought it flows through 2
devas so its water is holy. Bathing in it will purify
them and remove bad karma.
Ultimate goal of life to release Atman and reunite
with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman
(Moksha)

2500 250 BC

Who do Hindus worship?

3 Most Important Devas
Brahma, the creator
Siva, the Destroyer

Vishnu, the
Preserver

All these deities are

but
Aspects of the
impersonal Brahman

Hinduism Map!
Hinduism in 1500 C.E.

Hinduism Today

AUM!
AUM!
AUM!

Hinduism located in India and SE Asia

Then and Now

2500 250 BC

Buddhism
Buddhism,

which
teaches people that
they can escape the
suffering of the
world through the
Buddhist teachings,
developed in
Northeast India in
520 BCE and spread
to other parts of
Asia
4th largest religion
in the world

Siddhartha Gautama

Unlike Hinduism,
Buddhism can be traced
to one single founder,
Siddhartha Gautama

Prince of a small
kingdom; he lived a
sheltered life and
sought the answer to
ending suffering

After years of
meditation and
searching, he sat under
a Bodhi tree where he
became Enlightened

He transformed into
the Buddha-the
Enlightened One.

BCE)

2500 250 BC

(563-483

2500 250 BC

The Teachings of Buddhism

What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?

Desire!

Therefore, extinguish the self, dont obsess

about oneself. Give up all materials and
possessions of the world.

2500 250 BC

Four Noble Truths

There is suffering in the world. To live is

to suffer.
The cause of suffering is peoples desires
for pleasure and material goods.
The solution is to eliminate desire and
attachments.
(Nirvana = extinction)
To reach nirvana, one must follow the
Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path

2500 250 BC

Right Understanding
Right Speech

Right Intention

Right Action

Right Livelihood

Right Effort

Right Concentration

Right Mindfulness

2500 250 BC

Eightfold Path

Nirvana
Nirvana is a state of perfect peace in which the soul

would be free from suffering forever. It would escape

from the cycle of rebirth.
If nirvana is not achieved, then the soul would be
reborn to live through the cycle of suffering again.
Spiritual leaders are called monks or lamas.
Worship takes place in a temple or meditation hall.

Sacred Texts
Pali Canon
Dhammapada
Both record the words of the Buddha

The Spread of Buddhism

Interactive Map
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/books/application
s/imaps/maps/g6_u7/

2500 250 BC

Types of Buddhism

Therevada
Buddhism

Mahayana
Buddhism

Tibetan
Buddhism

2500 250 BC

Theravada Buddhism
The oldest school of Buddhism.
Found in southern Asia.
The monastic life is the best way to achieve

nirvana.
Focus on wisdom and meditation.
Goal is to become a Buddha, or Enlightened
One.
Over 100,000,000 followers today.

Mahayana Buddhism

2500 250 BC

Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).

Buddhism for the masses.
One doesnt need to be a monk or nun to reach

nirvana; anyone can do it with some help.

Seek guidance from Boddhisatvas, wise beings,
people who have found enlightenment but have
stayed on earth to help others find their way.
Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel,
but the salvation of all humanity through selfsacrifice of those who are already enlightened.d
few.

2500 250 BC

Tibetan Buddhism
Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.
A mix of Theravada and

Mahayana.
Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like
the Dalai Lama.

Buddhism Map!
Buddhism in 1500 C.E.

Buddhism Today

Buddhism located in Southeast and East Asia (China) Then and Now

Judaism,
Christianity, &
Islam

Brief History
Judaism- The Hebrew leader Abraham
founded Judaism in Mesopotamia around
1300 B.C. Judaism is the oldest of the
monotheistic faiths (religions with one
God).
Christianity - Founded by Jesus Christ, who
was crucified around A.D. 33 in Palestine in
the city of Jerusalem. It was after his
death when his followers came to believe
in him as the Christ, the Messiah.
Islam - Founded in Arabia by Muhammad
in A.D. 622.

4000550 BC

Abrahams Genealogy

All 3 Religions are linked by AbrahamHe is the patriarch of all 3

Islam-Quran

HAGAR

Judaism-Torah

ABRAHAM

SARAH

Ishmael

Isaac

12 Arabian
Tribes

Jacob/Israel Esau

Muhammad

(the last
prophet)
Quran and the
Five Pillars of
Islam

Mecca
(Muslims)

12 Tribes of
Israel

2 Tribes - (Jews) of Judah Other 10 tribes(Israelites)

Jesus Christ (son of God)
(Hebrews)
The Hebrew Bible - Old
Testament in the Christian
Bible

Judaism Briefly
Judaism is over 3000 years old and is the
oldest of the world's monotheistic religions
(religions with only one God). It's also the
smallest, with only about 14 million (7th)
followers around the world.
Its holy city is Jerusalem.

Judaism Beliefs
Jews believe that there is a single God
(Yahweh) who not only created the
universe, but with whom every Jew can
have an individual and personal
relationship.
They await the Messiah, who will be an
earthly king. They believe in heaven,
but that God determines where they go
after life on earth.
Ten Commandments is the basic code of
law.

Judaism Holy Book

The most holy Jewish book is the Torah
(the first five books of the Christian Bible).
Others include Judaism's oral tradition, the
written form of which is known as the
Talmud.
The Torah (scroll of teachings) contains
the five books revealed to Moses by God
on Mount Sinai.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy

Judaism Place of
Worship
Jews worship in
Synagogues or
temples. Men and
women usually sit
separately.
Worship is led by a
Rabbi.
Saturday (begins at
sundown on Friday) is
time for worship.

Stamford Hill, London

The Temple
According to the Bible, the First
Temple for Jewish worship was built
around 900-1000 BCE and destroyed
by Babylonians in 586 BCE.
The Jews were then sent out of
Canaan, but returned after 50 years
in exile.
A Diaspora occurs when a group of
people leave their homeland and
move to many different locations
separately.
All of the worlds Jewish communities
today that do not live in present-day
Israel are part of the Jewish Diaspora.
Diaspora

The Temple
A new temple was finished 70 years later
on the site of the First Temple, but was
badly plundered by invading Romans about
54 BCE.
King Herod,
Herod a Jew, ruled Judea for the
Romans. Under him the second temple was
rebuilt in 20 BCE.
When the Romans attacked Jerusalem
again in 70 CE(AD), they destroyed Herods
temple.
Today, the single remaining temple wall, the
Western Wall,
Wall is a place of prayer for Jewish
pilgrims.
Jews moved away from the land again, until
the modern state of Israel was formed in
the late 1940s.

Judaism Map!
Judaism in 1500 C.E.

Judaism Today

In 1500, located in Europe and

Middle East

Today, located in Israel and U.S.

Christianity briefly

Christianity is the world's largest religion,

with about 2.2 billion followers worldwide.
It is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ
who lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years
ago.

Christianity Beliefs

Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the

Son of God
God sent his Son to earth to save humanity
from the consequences of its sins
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day
after his Crucifixion (the Resurrection)
Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah
promised in the Old Testament
Christians believe that there is only one God,
but that this one God consists of 3 "personsGod the Father, God the Son, God the Holy
Ghost--Trinity
Christians believe that God made the world.

Christianity Beliefs

Christians believe that they can have a

personal relationship with God, and that
they are saved by faith, and good works.
They believe in heaven and hell.
They believe that the Bible is the inspired
word of God.

Christians Holy Book

The Bible is the Christian holy book. It is

divided into the Old and New Testaments.
Parts of the writing contained in the Old
Testament are also sacred to Jewish and
Muslim people.

Christian Place of
Worship

The Christian place of

worship is called a Church,
which are built in the shape
of a cross with the altar
facing east towards the
rising sun. Services are led
by a priest, pastor or
reverend.
Day of worship is normally
Sunday.

Westminster Abbey London

Christian Sects

Roman Catholicism vs. Eastern OrthodoxChristian Church divided when the Roman Empire
was divided and then fell. Orthodox Christians do
not recognize the authority of the Pope.
Catholicism vs. Protestantism-as a result of the
Reformation, Protestant sects broke with the
Catholic Church and established their own
separate churches.

Christianity Map!
Christianity 1500 C.E.

In 1500, located in Europe and

Middle East

Christianity Today

Today, located in Americas and

Europe

Islam Briefly

Islam is the second most popular religion

in the world with 1.3 billion followers.
Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to
humanity by the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him). Those who follow
Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe
that there is only one God, called Allah,
who speaks Arabic.

Islam Holy Book

The Muslim scripture is the Holy Qur'an. It
is 'the word of God'. Muslim beliefs and
practices are rooted in the Qur'an.
Muslims treat the Qur'an with great
respect because they believe that the
Qur'an is from Allah, and every word and
every letter is sacred.
Muslims regard the Qur'an as the
unaltered word of God.

Islam Place of Worship

The Muslim building for communal worship is called a Mosque.

The word comes from the Arabic for "place of prostration".
Worshippers are called to prayer 5 times a day from minarets
towers on the mosque corners.
They contain only designs, no people or animals or furniture.
Normal day of worship is Friday.
Religious leaders are called imams.

Grand mosque in
Mecca

Five Pillars Belief

system/law code

Shahadah: declaration of faith

"I bear witness that there is no god, but God; I bear witness that
Muhammad is the prophet of God." By reciting this, one enters
Islamic faith.
Salah: Pray 5 times a day facing Mecca
Muslims are required to pray five times a day, washing themselves
before prayer and facing in the direction of Mecca while praying.
Zakat: Give a fixed proportion to charity
Muslims are required to give away a percentage of their earnings
to those less fortunate, regardless of their religion.
Saum: Fast during the month of Ramadan
Muslims fast for one lunar month each year, a period called
Ramadan. During this time, Muslims reflect on their behavior and
strive to purify their thoughts.
Hajj: Make a pilgrimage to Mecca
If it is financially possible, Muslims are required to travel to Mecca
once in their lifetime.

The Hajj

Hijja:
The month of
pilgrimage during
which all Muslims,
at least once in
their life, should
try to make the
pilgrimage to
Mecca and worship
at the Kaaba

Muslim Sects

Sunni-the majority
Shia-the minority
The split rose from an early dispute over who
should be the leader of Islam after the death of
Muhammad. The Sunnis argued that the successor
should be appointed by election and consensus, as
tradition dictated. (Sunni comes from the Arabic
word Sunna , meaning tradition.) The Shia
believed that Muhammad's successors should
come from his family, starting with Ali, his son-inlaw. These, the partisans of Ali, were named from
the word Shia , meaning partisan in Arabic.

Islam Map!
Islam in 1500 C.E.

In 1500, located in Middle East,

Africa, and Southern Europe

Islam Today

Today, located in Middle East,

Africa, and Asia

Judaism Islam and Christianity are false

interpretations and extensions of Judaism.

View of Fellow Abrahamic

Religions

Christianity Judaism is a true religion, but

with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false
religion.

Islam Jews and Christians are respected as

fellow believers, but with wrong beliefs and
only partial revelation.
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