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MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD

Judaism

Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions of the world and the oldest to survive into the present day. Judaism claims a historical continuity spanning more than 3000 years. Judaism is the religion, philosophy, and way of life of the Jewish people. Its texts, traditions and values have inspired later Abrahamic religions, including Christianity, Islam and the Bahai Faith Jews are an ethno religious group that includes those born Jewish and converts to Judaism. In 2007, the world Jewish population was estimated at 13 million, of whom about 40% reside in Israel and 40% in the United States. Abraham is considered as the father of the Jews. Jews are the believers of one God, Jehovah.

Jews are the selected people of Jehovah Mosses is considered as the founder of Judaism. Mosses freed Egypt from slavery and gave the Ten Commandments at the Mount of Senai. Judaism is considered as the mother religion of Christianity and Islam. Synagogue is the worshipping centre of the Jews. The White Jews Synagogue at Mattanchery in Cochin is a worshipping centre of Jews in Kerala. Jerusalem was the famous pilgrim centre of the Jews. The worshipping centre in Jerusalem was constructed by King Solomon in BC 1000. The largest Jewish religious movements are Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism.

Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion which is based on the teachings of the Old Testament and Jesus of Nazareth.

The Christian scriptures are called the Bible comprising two books, the Old Testament and the New Testament. Christianity originated from Judaism. Jesus Christ was born in 4 BC at Bethlehem in the small town of Nasreth in Galeleo. Christianity is generally divided into three branches: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Catholicism is the largest with over 1 billion adherents. The Orthodox and Catholic Churches split in the 11th century in an event called the Great Schism. Protestantism split from Roman Catholicism in the 16th century in an event called the Protestant Reformation. King Herodos of Yuda was a contemporary of Jesus Christ. Roman emperors Augustus and Thiberius Caesar had direct contact to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ came to be known as Christians.

Thorah is the sacred text of the Jews. The Hebrew word Thorah means to lead . Thorah is included in the Old Testament of Bible. The basis of Jewish law and tradition (halakha) is the Torah (also known as the Five Books of Moses).

Judaism
Founder ................. Founded in ............ Place founded......... Followed in ........... Sacred texts ........... Sacred Places ........ Place of worship .... Adherents .............. Original Language .. Moses, born in Egypt 1300 BC Mesopotamia Worldwide, with concentration in Israel and USA. Hals, found particularly in the five books of the Bible; commentary on the Torah and Midrash Jerusalem Synagogue 14 million Hebrew

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Christianity
Founder .............. Jesus Christ (5 BC to 30 AD) born in Judea, also called Jesus of Nazareth Founded in .......... c. 33 A.D (2000 years ago) Place founded...... Palestine Followed in .......... Spread all over the world Sacred text ........... Holy Bible consisting of the Old Testament (before Christ) and the New Testament (during and after Christ) Sacred Place ........ Jerusalem, where Christ lived and preached Place of worship .. Church , Chapel, Cathedral, Basilica Important sects .... Catholics and Protestants Adherents ........... 2 billion Rank ................... Largest world religion Heads ................. Priest, Bishop, Archbishop, Pope, Paster, Patriarch, Minister, Deacon

As of the early 21st century, Christianity has around 2.2 billion adherents. Christianity represents about a quarter to a third of the worlds population and is the worlds largest religion. In addition, Christianity is the state religion of several countries. Muslims believe that God revealed the Quran to Muha mmad, Gods final prophet, and regard the Quran and the Sunnah (the words and deeds of Muhammad) as the fundamental sources of Islam. Muslims consider the Quran to be the literal word of God; it is the central religious text of Islam. Muhammed Nabi was born in AD 570 in the Khuraisi tribe in Mecca. His father was Abdulla and mother was Amina. The Word Islam was originated from the root of Aslama. Khadeeja was the first to receive the message of Muhammed. Muhammed Nabi fled from Mecca to Medina to escape from the Khuraisis on 24th September AD 622. This day is known as Hijra. The followers who accompanied Muhammed to Medina are known as Muhajirs. He died on 8th June 632 AD at Medina. Kaba was the first centre established in the world to worship Allah.

Christianity was propagated in Bible is divided into two - Old Testament and New testament. Kerala by St. Thomas Aposthel in 52 AD (Crangannore). Revelation is the last book of Bible. Bible has four Gospels. They are the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Tamil was the first Asian language in which Bible was printed John and Luke. (1715) Christ was crucified by the Jews Ponthios Pelathos was the Roin 29 AD. man Governor who trailed Jesus Christ spoke in the Aramic LanChrist. guage which was a mixture of Crucification of Christ was on a Syriac and Hebrew. Friday, now it is observed as Roman Emperor Constantine Good Friday. gave freedom to the Roman Islam Christians through his Milan Islam is a monotheistic religion Proclamation (AD 313) originating with the teachings Theodosius proclaimed Christianof Muhammad, a 7th-century ity as the state religion. Arab religious and political figThe word Bible means book. ure.

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Koran, Hadis and Ijmah are the basis of Islamic law. Caliph became the head of Islam after the death of Muhammed. Abu Beker, Umar, Usman and Ali were the Caliphas. In 1924 Mustafa Kamal Pasha of Turkey abolished the title Caliph. Koran is the codification of revelations given through Gabriel Angel to Muhammed. It contains 114 chapters. It took 22 years to have the complete revelations to Nabi. Koran was codified in AD 633 during the period of Caliph Abu Beker. There are two divisions in Islam - Shias and Sunnis. Shias are the followers of Ali. Iran is the only Shia majority nation in the world.

Islam
Founder Prophet Mohammed (570-632 AD), born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) Founded in 622 AD Place founded Mecca, Saudi Arabia Followed in West coast of Africa which includes Tanzania, Southern part of Russia and China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia, and parts of North Africa Sacred texts Quran (words of God), Hadith (collection of Prophets sayings) Sacred places Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia Place of worship Masjid (mosque) Important sects Sunnis and Shias Rank ................... Second largest world religion Adherents ........... 1.3 billion Spiritual Leader ... Sheikh, Imam Symbol ................ Crescent moon and star

Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy largely based on teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha. Buddhism originated in the 6th century BC. Gautama Buddha the founder of Buddhism was born in Lumbini in Kapilavasthu on the border of Nepal in 567 BC. Buddhas mother Mahamaya died seven days after his birth. He was brought up by his aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami, hence he got the name Gautama. First Buddhist nun was Gautami Buddhas birth place is now known as Binla. Buddhas original name was Siddhartha.

A statue of the Buddha from Sarnath, 4th century CE

Buddha belonged to the Sakhya clan of Kshatriyas. His father was Suddhodhana. He was the republican chief of the Sakya tribe. Buddhas wife was Yasodhara and his son was Rahulan.

Four sights changed his mind and initiated him to spiritual life. They were death, old age, sadness and sufferings. He left home at the age of 29 along with his charioteer Channa and favourite horse Kanthaka. This incident is known as Mahabhinishkramana or Great Renunciation. Buddha got enlightenment at Bodha Gaya, on the banks of Niranjana river in Bihar at the Age of 35. After enlightenment Buddha came to be known as Thadhagath. He is also known as Sakhyamuni. Buddha made his first sermon after enlightenment at a deer park at Saranath in Uttar Pradesh. This incident is known as Dharma chakra pravarthana. Buddhas first teacher was Alara Kalama and second teacher Udraka Ramaputra.

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During his first sermon at Sarnath, Buddha described the four noble truths and the eight fold path. Buddha made his sermons in Pali language. Buddha died at the age of 80 in 487 BC at Kushinagara in UP. This was known as Maha Parinirvana. Buddha died by consuming poisoned meat or poisoned mushroom. Last meals of Buddha was served by a blacksmith Chanda. His last words were All composite things decay, strive diligently. According to Buddha, Salvation or Nirvana meant extinction of the desire for rebirth. Four noble truths of Buddhism are: Life is full of misery, desire is the cause of misery, killing desires would kill sorrows. Desire can be killed by following the eight-fold path.

The eight fold path of Buddhism are: Right Belief, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Living, Right Effort, Right Recollection, Right Meditation. Buddhism does not recognise the existence of God and Soul (Atman). Buddha accepted the traditional belief in transmigration of the soul and law of Karma. The three jewelsof Buddhism are Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Upagupta converted Ashoka to Buddhism. Ashvagosha was the first biographer of Buddha who wrote Budhacharitam in Sanskrit. Vasubandu is known as Second Buddha. Ashoka is known as the Constantine of Buddhism. Ashoka accepted Buddhism after the Battle of Kalinga in BC 261.

Buddhist worshipping centre is known as Pagoda. Viharas are the Buddhist monastries. Vajrayana was a sect of Buddhism which believed in achieving salvation through Mantras and spells. Jataka stories describe the stories related to the birth of Buddha. They are 500 in number. Holy book of Buddhism is Tripitaka- Vinayapitaka, Sutthapitaka and Abhidhama pitaka are collectively known as Tripitaka. The Pitakas (original Buddhisttexts) were written in Pali language. Bimbisara of Magadha was a contemporary of Buddha. Kanishka who worked to spread Buddhism like Ashoka is known as Second Ashoka. Ashoka sent his son and daughter, Mahendra and Sanghamitra to SriLanka to spread Buddhism.

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tus and Bull Birth ................ Lo ....... Horse Renunciation ......... .. Bodhitree Enlightenment ...... ma Chakra First Sermon . Dhar .. Foot prints Nirvana (Death) ...

5 S ymb ols of B u

d dh a

Sri Buddha is known as the Light of Asia He was named as such by Edvin Arnold. Edvin Arnolds Light of Asia was translated into Malayalam by Nalappat Narayanamenon. Hinayanism is wide spread in Sri Lanka. The Bodhi tree at Gaya was cut down by Sasanka, a Bengal ruler. The chief Buddhist monastery was at Nalanda, which was under the patronage of Pala kings. Previous Buddhas are known as Bodhisatvas. Milindapanho , a book of Nagasena describes how Greek king Menandar accepted Buddhism. Buddhism declined as Hinduism reformed with the rise of the Rajputs as a military force. Lack of unity among Buddhists and increased use of Sankrit led to the decline of Buddhism. Muslim invasions in the 11th and 12th centuries led to its further disintegration.

Jainism

Vardhamana Mahavira was believed to have born in 540 BC in Kundala Grama in Vaishali the capital of Vajji. Now it is in Mussafar district in Bihar. He belonged to Jnatrika Kshatriya clan. Mahaviras family was con-

nected with the royal family of Magadha. The word Jaina was originated from the word Jina which means conqueror. Jainism speaks about 24 thirthankaras. Mahavira was the 24th Thirthankara, who is considered as the founder of Jainism. Rishabha was the first Thirthankara. Neminath and Parswanatha were the 22nd and 23rd Thirthankaras respectively. Bhagavatpurana and Vishnu purana, describe Rishabhadeva as an incarnation of Narayana. Sidhartha, was the father of Vardhamana Mahavira. Mahaviras mother was Trishala and Yasodha was his wife. Priyadarsana was the daughter of Mahavira. Mahavira is also known as Vaishalia as he was born in Vaishali. He got Kaivalya (knowledge) at the age of 42 under a Sal tree on the bank of river Rajpalika near Village Jhrimbikagrama. At first, Mahavira followed the practice of an ascetic group called Nirgrandhas , which earlier led by Parswanath. Makhali Gosala was a companion of Mahavira, who later founded the Ajivika sect. Mahavira attained Nirvana at the age of 72 at Pavapuri near Rajagriha in 468 BC. Jains observe the day of his nirvana as Dipavali. Gautama Indrabhuti is considered as his first disciple. Jains sacred texts are called Angas.

The hand with a wheel on the palm symbolizes the Jain Vow of Ahimsa, meaning non-violence. The word in the middle is Ahimsa. The wheel represents the dharmachakra, to halt the cycle of reincarnation through the pursuit of truth.

Jain texts were written under Bhadrabahu in BC 296. Jain texts were written in the Prakrit language of Ardhamagadhi. Ahimsa Paramo Dharma is the sacred hymn of Jainism. Ahimsa, Satya, Astaya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya are the five major principles of Jainism. Brahmacharya is the principle added by Mahavira. Teachings of Mahavira were contained in fourteen Parvas which were lost in the 4th century BC and had to be written as Twelve Angas. Mahavira taught the three Jewels of Jainism (Triratna) - Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. The Jains repudiated the authority or infallibility of the Vedas.

The Jains rejected the concept of Universal soul or a supreme power as the creator and sustainer of the Universe. Jainism does not condemn the Varna system. Mahavira believed that all individuals irrespective of caste can strive for liberation through good deeds and living. First Jain council was held at Pataliputra in 300 BC under the leadership of Sthalabahu. Second Jain council was held at Vallabhipur in third Century BC under the leadership of Aryaskandil Nagarjuna Suri. Third Jain council was held at Vallabhipur in Gujarat in 5th Century AD under the leadership of Devardhi Kshamasramana. Jainism was divided into two sects Swetambaras and Digambaras after the first Jain Council. Digambaras are sky-clad or naked and swetambaras are clad in white. Gomateshwara statue is situated in Sravanabelgola. Syad Vada is a Jain philosophy of Knowledge. Kharavela of Kalinga gave patronage to Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti and Rakshabandan are the festive occasions of Jainism. Temple on the Mount Abu in Rajasthan is a famous centre of Jain worship. Jain Temple at Sravanabelgola in Hassan district in Mysore is known as Kasi of the Jains. Names of Rishabhadeva and Arishtanemi are also mentioned in the Rigveda.

Hinduism
Founder ................ date founded ......... Place founded ....... Adherents ............. Followed in ............ Of divine origin Earliest forms date to 1500 BC or earlier India 900 millions Concentrated in India and Nepal and also found in Bhutan, Fiji, Guyana, Indonesia, Mauritius, SriLanka, South Africa, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Bali Sacred texts ........... The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the epics the Mahabharata and the Ramayana Place of worship .... Temple or home shrine Rank ..................... Third largest religion Major sects ........... Saivism, Vaishnavism, Saktism Original Language . Sanskrit Spiritual leader ....... Guru or Sage Ultimate reality ...... Brahman Hinduism - Four stages of life Brahmacharya .................. school years - grow and learn Grahastha ...................... marriage, family and career Vanaprastha .................. turn attention to spiritual things Sanyasa ............ abandon worldly life to seek spiritual things

Chandragupta Maurya the founder of the Mauryan Empire, abdicated the throne towards the end of his life, accepted Jainism reached Sravanabelgola and died there. Due to very rigid and high ideas, Jainism suffered a down fall.

Hinduism

Hinduism is an ancient religion with no founder or known date of origin. The term Hinduism simply derives from the word India and refers to a wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed in India over thousands of years.

Hinduism embraces a great diversity of beliefs. One can believe a wide variety of things about God, the universe and the path to liberation and still be considered a Hindu. Most Hindus are devoted followers of one of the principal gods Shiva, Vishnu or Shakti, and often others besides, yet all these are regarded as manifestations of a single Reality.

The ultimate goal of all Hindus is release (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

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According to Hinduism , Ayodhya, Mathura , Gaya (Bodhgaya), Kasi (Varanasi, Benares) , Kanci, Avantika (Ujjain) and Dvaraka are the seven sacred cities. Demographically, Hinduism is the worlds third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam, with approximately one billion adherents, of whom approximately 828 million live in the Republic of India. A large body of texts is classified as Hindu, divided into Zruti (revealed) and Smriti (remembered) texts. These texts discuss theology, philosophy and mythology, and provide information on the practice of dharma (religious living). The Rig Veda is one of the oldest religious texts.

Confucianism
Founder .............. King Fu Tsu, better known as Confucius (551-479 BC), born in the State of Lu in China. Founded in .......... 500 BC Place founded ..... China Followed in ......... China, Taiwan, South Korea, Nauru and Vietnam Sacred text ........... The Analects Sacred place ....... Peking (Beijing) in China Place of Worship . No church or temple Adherents ........... 5 to 6 millions (e.g. Bhakti, monism, Vedic metaphysics, guru ideal, and bhajans) as well as some Sufi Muslim influences. Sikhism is monotheistic, strongly emphasizing belief in one true God. Guru Nanak used the Hindu mystic syllable om as the symbol of God. Sikhism emerged in 16th-century India in an environment heavily permeated with conflicts between the Hindu and Muslim religions.

S ik h is m w ng ten Gurus duri developed by to 1708.Gur u 69 th e period 14 t Guru and Dev was the firs al Guru Nanak ngh the fin Guru Gobind Si ngh Guru Gobind Si in human form. Gra nth Sr i Gur u designated th e l Sikh timate an d fina Sahib the ul Guru.

s The Ten Guru d an d is he as es ta bl

Confucianism

Confucianism is a way of life taught by Confucius. Shintoism Confucianism has been fol Shintoism is the term for the in- lowed by the Chinese for more digenous religious beliefs and than two millennia. It has deeply practices of Japan. influenced spiritual and politi Shinto (together with Budcal life in China; its influence has also extended to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Sikhism Confucianism is characterized Founder ................ Guru Nanak (1469 - 1539) by a highly optmistic view of Founded in ........... 1500AD human nature. Followed in .......... India, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States significant minority in Malaysia & Singapore. Sikhism Sacred text ............ Sri Guru Granth Saheb (Adi Granth) The word Sikhism derives Sacred place ......... The Golden Temple at Amritsar from Sikh, which means a Place of worship ... Gurudwara, Temple strong and able disciple. Adherents ............. 23 million It was somewhat influenced by Rank ..................... Fifth largest religion reform movements in Hinduism Spiritual Leaders .... Granthi, Giani

dhism) is intimately tied to Japanese society and culture. Shintos relationship with other religions in Japan are generally cooperative and harmonious. Sacred texts Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters); Nihongi or Nihon shoki (Chronicles of Japan)

Shintoism is essentially a set of Zoroastrianism monotheistic and dualistic feacustoms and rituals rather than Zoroastrianism is the ancient, tures. Its concepts of one God, pre-Islamic religion of Persia an ethical or moral system. judgment, heaven and hell (modern Iran). Great emphasis is placed on cerlikely influenced the major Westemonial purity and bodily clean- In India the religion is called Parsiism. ern religons of Judaism, Chrisliness. Zoroastrianism contains both tianity, and Islam. The centres of worship are the shrines and temples. Acts of worship consists of Atheism prayers clapping of hands, acts Someone who denies the existence of god is Atheist. of purification and offerings. Atheism is accurately defined as the denial of the assumptions of On feast days processions and theism. performances of music and dancing take place and priest The theist affirms that there is a God running the universe. The atheist perceives that history, in every branch of science, in the plainly read prayers before the gods in observable realities of life and in the processes of common sense the shrines asking for good harthere is no place for the picture of a God. vest, the well being of people Bahai faith and emperor etc. Taoism (Daoism) is based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a short tract written in the 6th century BC in China. There are two main strands and schools within Taoism, usually labeled philosophical Taoism (Tao-chia) and religious Taoism (Tao-chaio). Both device from the Philosopher Lao Tzco who, according to tradition, lived in the sixth century BC. Like Jews, Christians and Muslims, Bahs believe in only one God, who sends prophets as his messengers. But Bahs regard God as completely transcendent and ultimately unknowable, so Bah doctrine focuses primarily on Manifestations of God who progressively reveal God to humanity. Founder ................ Zoroaster, Born in Medea (modern Iran) Founded ............... 6th century BC Followed in .......... Iran and north-west India. The Zoroastrians who fled to India during the eighth century, are the ancestors of the present Parsi community in India Sacred text ............ Zend Avesta (Book of the Law) Place of worship ... Fire temple

Taoism

Taoism
Founder ................. Founded in ............ Place founded ........ Followed in ........... Lao-tse, a Chinese philosopher 6th century BC China China, Taiwan, Nauru, Brunei, Singapore & Vietnam Sacred texts ........... Tao-te-Ching Place of worship .... Temple Adherents .............. 20 million Original Language Chinese Spiritual Leader. .... Sage