World Religions:World Religions:A ComparisonA Comparison

Global Connections Global Connections

Buddhism:Buddhism: 365 Million followers365 Million followers No personal deity No personal deity Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha Gautama

was the founder (6was the founder (6thth C. BC), people follow C. BC), people follow his teachings. his teachings.

Many sacred texts, Many sacred texts, no main oneno main one

Buddhist monks and Buddhist monks and nuns are the nuns are the leadershipleadership

ReincarnationReincarnation

The Buddha:The Buddha:

The Buddha is not The Buddha is not considered a god, considered a god, rather he is seen rather he is seen as an example on as an example on how to live your how to live your life. life.

Statues appear in Statues appear in many different many different sizes and shapessizes and shapes

Basic Beliefs of the Buddhist:Basic Beliefs of the Buddhist: People reach People reach

complete peace complete peace and happiness, and happiness, Nirvana, when they Nirvana, when they divorce themselves divorce themselves from worldly things from worldly things and desires. and desires.

Noble Eightfold Noble Eightfold Path is the way Path is the way that a person that a person reaches Nirvanareaches Nirvana

The 3 practicesThe 3 practices Sila:Sila: Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is based on two Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is based on two

fundamental principles: The principle of equality: that all fundamental principles: The principle of equality: that all living entities are equal. The principle of living entities are equal. The principle of reciprocity: This is : This is the "the "Golden RuleGolden Rule" in" inChristianity -- to do onto others as you would wish them do Christianity -- to do onto others as you would wish them do onto you. It is found in all major religions.onto you. It is found in all major religions.

Samadhi:Samadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom. Mental development also leads to personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct. good conduct.

Prajna:Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.mind is pure and calm.

Christianity:Christianity:

1.9 Billion followers1.9 Billion followers GodGod Jesus Christ is the Jesus Christ is the

founderfounder The holy book is The holy book is

the biblethe bible The leaders of the The leaders of the

Christian church Christian church are the clergy are the clergy membersmembers

Basic Beliefs of the Christian:Basic Beliefs of the Christian: There is only one There is only one

god and he god and he protects and protects and watches over his watches over his peoplepeople

Jesus was the son Jesus was the son of god and he died of god and he died for man’s sins.for man’s sins.

Hinduism:Hinduism: 837 million followers837 million followers Three main gods Three main gods

Brahma=Crator Brahma=Crator Vishnu=preserver Vishnu=preserver Shiva=destroyerShiva=destroyer

Oldest organized Oldest organized religion No one founderreligion No one founder

No one holy book, No one holy book, several texts including several texts including the Vedasthe Vedas

Leaders include the Leaders include the guru, Holy Man, and guru, Holy Man, and Brahmin priestsBrahmin priestsSince Hinduism has more than

one god, what type of religion is it?

Shiva

Brahma

Vishnu

Basic Principles of Hinduism:Basic Principles of Hinduism:

Reincarnation Reincarnation (Karma)(Karma)

People reach People reach happiness when happiness when they let go of they let go of worldly possessionsworldly possessions

Worship, knowledge Worship, knowledge and virtuous acts and virtuous acts also lead to also lead to happinesshappiness

Islam:Islam: 1.2 billion followers1.2 billion followers God (Allah)God (Allah) Muhammad is the Muhammad is the

founderfounder The Qur’an is the The Qur’an is the

holy bookholy book There are no clergy There are no clergy

leadersleaders Islam is the religion Islam is the religion

while a person who while a person who follows Islam is know follows Islam is know as a Muslim as a Muslim

Basic Beliefs of the Muslim:Basic Beliefs of the Muslim: Person achieves salvation by Person achieves salvation by

following the 5 pillars and living a following the 5 pillars and living a just life.just life.

The 5 pillars are:The 5 pillars are: FaithFaith AlmsgivingAlmsgiving FastingFasting HajjHajj Prayer Prayer

Judaism:Judaism: 14 million followers14 million followers God (Yahweh)God (Yahweh) The founder is The founder is

Abraham. Abraham. The holy books The holy books

include the Hebrew include the Hebrew Bible or TorahBible or Torah Connection with the Connection with the

Christian bible? Christian bible? Rabbis Rabbis

Basic Beliefs of Judaism:Basic Beliefs of Judaism: There is only one There is only one

god who watches god who watches over his people.over his people.

God protects his God protects his people, but also people, but also holds them holds them accountable for accountable for their sins.their sins.

A person serves A person serves god by studying god by studying the torah and living the torah and living its teachings. its teachings.

Confucianism:Confucianism: Not known how Not known how

many followersmany followers Confucius was Confucius was

the founderthe founder Some say the Some say the

main deity as main deity as wellwell

Holy books Holy books include Analects include Analects and 5 Classicsand 5 Classics

No clergy No clergy

Basic Beliefs of Confucianism:Basic Beliefs of Confucianism: Strong family Strong family

relationshipsrelationships Social order, harmony Social order, harmony

and good government and good government

Education is very Education is very important important