Location of origin: Japan Time of Origin: Indigenous Prophet/Leader(s) None

God(s): Polytheistic Based on the kami Ancient gods or spirits Holy Book(s): Kojiki – ‘Records of Ancient Matters Nihon-gi – ‘Chronicles of Japan’ Location today: Japan

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Worship and offerings to kami shrines and at home Purification rituals Death is seen as bad and impure Some humans become kami after death Significance: Japanese government leaders used Shinto to legitimatize Japan’s War in the Pacific from 1937 to 1945

Location of origin: India Time of Origin: Indigenous Prophet/Leader(s) None

God(s): Polytheistic One supreme reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses Holy Book(s): The Vedas The Upanishads Location today: Mostly India and Nepal

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Yoga Meditation/worship (puja) Live life according to dharma Karma Reincarnation after death until gain enlightenment

Location of origin: Israel (by the Hebrews) Time of Origin: c. 1300BC Prophet(s)/Leader(s) Abraham Moses Church Leader - Rabbi

God(s): Monotheistic Yahweh Holy Book(s): Bible (Old Testament) Torah Talmud Location today: Worldwide

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Obey God’s commandments Dietary restrictions (no pork or non-kosher foods) Still waiting for the Messiah Jewish New Year – Rosh Hashanah Heaven Significance: Babylonian Captivity Diaspora Holocaust Basis for Christianity and Islam

Location of origin: China Time of Origin: BC Prophet(s)/Leader(s) Confucius

God(s): None Holy Book(s): Analects Location today: China

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Honesty & Politeness Perform correct role in society Loyalty to family & nation Began as a political ideology

Location of origin: China Time of Origin: c. 550 BC Prophet(s)/Leader(s) Lao-Tzu

God(s): Pantheism – the Tao pervades all Ying-Yang – opposites make up a unity Holy Book(s): Tao Te Ching Chuang-Tzu Location today: China

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Purpose is inner harmony, peace and longevity Live in accordance with the Tao Significance: Numbers greatest before Chinese Communism Fung shui

Location of origin: India Time of Origin: c. 520 BC Prophet(s)/Leader(s) Siddhartha Gautama “Buddha”’ Dalai Lama

God(s): None Holy Book(s): None Location today: Mostly concentrated in Eastern Asian countries

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Nothing is permanent Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path Reincarnation Nirvana Significance: Buddha was attempting to reform Hinduism

The Eightfold Path 1) Right view 2) Right intention 3) Right speech 4) Right action 5) Right livelihood 6) Right effort 7) Right mindfulness 8) Right concentration

Location of origin: Israel Time of Origin: c. 30 AD Prophet(s)/Leader(s) Jesus

God(s): Monotheistic One God who is a trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit Holy Book(s): Bible – Old and New Testaments Location today: Worldwide

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Trinity Salvation through faith in God Sacraments Dietary restrictions during Lent Heaven and Hell Significance: 2 billion Christians worldwide

Location of origin: Saudi Arabia Time of Origin: 622 AD Prophet(s)/Leader(s) Muhammad

God(s): Monotheistic Allah (God in Arabic) Holy Book(s): Qur’an Location today: Worldwide

Basic Teachings/Beliefs: Five Pillars – Belief, Prayer, Alms, Fasting and Pilgrimage Must submit to the will of Allah Dietary restrictions Paradise after death Significance: 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide