World Religions: A Comparison

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World ReligionsA Comparison

• Global Connections

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Judaism

• 14 million followers
• God (Yahweh)
• The founder is Abraham.
• Holy books include the Hebrew Bible or Torah
• Connection with the Christian bible?
• The Talmud
• Rabbis

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Basic Beliefs of Judaism

• There is one god (monotheism)
• Abraham makes a covenant with Jews around 2000 BC
• Jews are chosen
• Canaan is theirs

• A person serves god by studying the torah and
  living its teachings.
• Moses leads them out of slavery in Egypt
• 10 Commandments
• Rest on the Sabbath
• 1000 BC Kingdom of Israel (David)

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Hinduism
Vishnu
Shiva

• One of the Oldest and most complex religion
• 837 million followers
• Three main gods BrahmaCreator Vishnupreserver
  Shivadestroyer
• Oldest organized religion No one founder
• No one holy book, several texts including the
  Vedas

Brahma
Since Hinduism has more than one god, what type
of religion is it?
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Basic Principles of Hinduism

• Goal is to achieve Moksha or union with Brahman
  through the process of Reincarnation (the law of
  Karma)
• Path to happiness is letting go of worldly
  possessions
• Worship, knowledge and virtuous acts also lead to
  happiness
• Dharma Religious and moral duties
• Non-violence (Ahimsa)

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Buddhism

• 365 Million followers
• No personal deity
• Enlightenment through meditation
• Siddhartha Gautama was the founder (563 BC)
  becomes the Buddha or enlightened one
• Buddhist monks and nuns are the leadership
• Reincarnation

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The Buddha

• The Buddha is not considered a god, rather he is
  seen as an example on how to live your life.
• Statues appear in many different sizes and shapes

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Basic Beliefs of the Buddhist

• The goal is to reach Nirvana (union with the
  universe) by following the Noble Eightfold Path
• Honesty, charity and kindness to all living
  creatures
• Surrender all worldly possessions

• Dalai Lama

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The 3 practices

• Sila Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is
  based on two fundamental principles The
  principle of equality that all living entities
  are equal. The principle of reciprocity This is
  the "Golden Rule" inChristianity -- to do onto
  others as you would wish them do onto you. It is
  found in all major religions.
• Samadhi Concentration, meditation, mental
  development. Developing one's mind is the path to
  wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom.
  Mental development also strengthens and controls
  our mind this helps us maintain good conduct.
• Prajna Discernment, insight, wisdom,
  enlightenment. This is the real heart of
  Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure
  and calm.

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Christianity

• 1.9 Billion followers
• God
• Jesus Christ is the founder
• The holy book is the bible
• The leaders of the Christian church are the
  clergy members

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Basic Beliefs of the Christian

• There is only one god and he protects and watches
  over his people
• Jesus was the son of god and he died for mans
  sins.

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Islam

• 1.2 billion followers
• God (Allah)
• Muhammad is the founder
• The Quran is the holy book
• There are no clergy leaders
• Islam is the religion while a person who follows
  Islam is know as a Muslim

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Basic Beliefs of the Muslim

• Person achieves salvation by following the 5
  pillars and living a just life.
• The 5 pillars are
• Faith
• Almsgiving
• Fasting
• Hajj
• Prayer

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Confucianism

• Not known how many followers
• Confucius was the founder
• Some say the main deity as well
• Holy books include Analects and 5 Classics
• No clergy

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Basic Beliefs of Confucianism

• Strong family relationships
• Social order, harmony and good government

• Education is very important

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Daoism

• Laozi Old Master lived during time of
  Confucius
• Attempt to live in harmony with nature and reject
  conflict and strife
• Those who know it do not speak of it
• About 225 million followers
• Came under attack after the Communist takeover in
  1949

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• The Ultimate hero?

• Ying and Yang