Buddhism
Buddhism began in India around 5000 B.C. Today, it is practiced by over 350 million people throughout Asia. This religion is based on the teachings of Buddha, or Enlightened One. He taught that to escape suffering, people must follow the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path prescribes a life of morality, wisdom, and contemplation. The Wheel of Law, an important Buddhist symbol, represents the endless cycle of life.
The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to reach nirvana. This is an enlightened state that frees an individual from the suffering that is found in life. Anyone can reach it, but it's considered most attainable by Buddhist monks. These monks usually live in monasteries, leading a strict life of poverty, meditation, and study. The people who are not monks reach nirvana by making offerings and performing rituals such as walking clockwise around sacred domes.
The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to reach nirvana. This is an enlightened state that frees an individual from the suffering that is found in life. Anyone can reach it, but it's considered most attainable by Buddhist monks. These monks usually live in monasteries, leading a strict life of poverty, meditation, and study. The people who are not monks reach nirvana by making offerings and performing rituals such as walking clockwise around sacred domes.
Christianity
Christians believe in one God and that Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Son of God, who was sent to Earth and died on the cross to save humanity. They believe that faith in Jesus saves believers from God's penalty for sin and bestows eternal life. The cross is a very important symbol of the religion. The Bible is the inspired word of God. It began nearly 2,000 years ago. Today, it is practiced by almost 2 million people in nearly all parts of the world.
Christians gather weekly to worship God and pray. They observe holidays such as Easter and Christmas. They also observe Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, commemorates Jesus' last meal with his disciples. Good Friday is a day in remembrance of Jesus' death.
Christians gather weekly to worship God and pray. They observe holidays such as Easter and Christmas. They also observe Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, commemorates Jesus' last meal with his disciples. Good Friday is a day in remembrance of Jesus' death.
Confucianism
Even though many people think of Confucianism as a religion, it is actually a philosophy. It's based on the teachings of Confucious, a Chinese scholar. He believed moral character and responsibilty were the way to lead a fulfilling life. Confucious is sometimes honored as a spiritual teacher.
Confucianism is more of a guide to ethical behavior and good government than it is a religion. Even so, Confucious is seen as the spiritual leader and there are many temples dedicated to him. His teachings were written down by his students in a book called the Analects, which have influenced Chinese people for many generations.
Confucianism is more of a guide to ethical behavior and good government than it is a religion. Even so, Confucious is seen as the spiritual leader and there are many temples dedicated to him. His teachings were written down by his students in a book called the Analects, which have influenced Chinese people for many generations.
Judaism
Jews believe in one God only. Judaism was, in fact, the first monotheistic religion. Nearly 14 million people practice Judaism throughout the world today, with most of the Jews living in Israel and the United States. The laws and practices are listed in the Torah. The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Pentaeuch. The six pointed star, or the Star of David, has been a controversial symbol, but today it is accepted and appears on the Israeli flag.
Jews follow many laws that guide their daily lives and the ways they worship. They say their prayers standing up and wearing a prayer shawl. Their heads are covered as a symbol of respect for God. Every synagouge has a Torah, handwritten on a scroll. During their services, the Torah is read and by the end of the year, the entire text has been read.
Jews follow many laws that guide their daily lives and the ways they worship. They say their prayers standing up and wearing a prayer shawl. Their heads are covered as a symbol of respect for God. Every synagouge has a Torah, handwritten on a scroll. During their services, the Torah is read and by the end of the year, the entire text has been read.
Hinduism
This is the worlds oldest organized religion, starting in India about 1500 B.C. There's a wide variety of beliefs and practices among its followers; it has influenced and absorbed many other religions. Nearly all of the 800 million people who follow Hinduism live in India. Although they worship a number of gods, today they primarily worship Siva and Vishnu. Vishnu is the preserver of the universe. Siva represents the destructive and creative forces of the universe.
Hindus believe in reincarnation. This is the belief that after death, the soul leaves the body and is reborn in another person, animal, vegetable, or mineral. Where a soul is reborn depends on its karma. One of the ways Hindus increase good karma is through rituals such as washing away their sins. Each year, thousands of Hindus come to the Ganges River to bathe in the water to purify themselves.
Hindus believe in reincarnation. This is the belief that after death, the soul leaves the body and is reborn in another person, animal, vegetable, or mineral. Where a soul is reborn depends on its karma. One of the ways Hindus increase good karma is through rituals such as washing away their sins. Each year, thousands of Hindus come to the Ganges River to bathe in the water to purify themselves.
Islam
The followers, Muslims, believe in one God, Allah. They accept the prophets of Judaism and Christianity. Muslims follow the teachings of the Quran. In 2000, there were about 1.1 billion Muslims, living mainly in Asia and Africa. Islam is sybolized by a crescent moon, an important part of the Muslim rituals, which depend on the lunar calendar.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, commemorates the time in which Muhammad received the Quran from Allah. During this month, Muslims read from the Quran and fast from dawn until sunset. They believe that this helps them focus on spiritual rather than bodily matters. The daily fast is interupted with prayers and a meal called the iftar. People celebrate the end of Ramadan with the Feast of the Fast, Eid-ul-Fitr.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, commemorates the time in which Muhammad received the Quran from Allah. During this month, Muslims read from the Quran and fast from dawn until sunset. They believe that this helps them focus on spiritual rather than bodily matters. The daily fast is interupted with prayers and a meal called the iftar. People celebrate the end of Ramadan with the Feast of the Fast, Eid-ul-Fitr.
