Hindus Aum or Om 13.33% 900 Million

Indigenous (native) religion India

henotheistic – one deity (Brahman) with many forms. Vedas & Bhagavad Gita

Reincarnation until reach enlightenment Humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but are able to escape. Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth.

Yoga Meditation worship (puja) devotion to a god or goddess pilgrimage to holy cities live according to one's dharma (purpose/ role).

6.27% 394 million

Indigenous folk religion of China China

Dualistic - yin and yang; mythological beings and folk deities None Purpose is a favorable life and peaceful afterlife, attained through rituals and honoring of ancestors

Judgment, then reincarnation or temporary hell until gain a Buddhist- type paradise Ancestor worship & prayer longevity practices divination, prophecy and astrology, feng shui

Buddhists 8 Spoke Wheel / Wheel of Law 5.87% 360 Million

Mongolia, Southeast Asia, China and Japan Siddhartha Gautama - Buddha in 520 BCE – NE India

Buddha taught that nothing is permanent. Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others

Nirvana - Enlightenment Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit.

Meditation Mantras (statement of belief repeated to aid concentration in meditation) devotion to deities (in some sects)

Khanda.39% 23 million Sikhs (pronounced Sic-khs (like khakhi))

Guru Nanak, c AD, Punjab, India. Kashmir and Punjab

Henotheistic - Only one God in many forms. God: (Ik Onkar, Nam) Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) written in Gurumukhi (language created by Guru Nanak)

Reincarnation until resolve karma and merge with God Overcome the self, align life with will of God, and become a "saint soldier," fighting for good

Prayer and meditation on God's name services at temple (gurdwara) turban and five Ks: (Kesa – long hair, kangah – comb, kacha – short pants, kara – metal bracelet, and Kirpan – ceremonial dagger) Balance work, worship, and charity

.12% 5-7 million Baha’is

Founded by Bahá'u'lláh, 1863, Tehran, Iran. India, Middle East, and Asia

One God, who has revealed himself progressively through major world religions Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and other Bahá'í leaders

Soul separates from the body and begins a journey towards or away from God. Heaven and hell are states of being The soul is eternal and essentially good. Purpose of life is to develop spiritually and draw closer to God

Daily prayer avoidance of intoxicants scripture reading hard work, education, and work for social justice and equality God is unknowable, but has sent great prophets: Adam, Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, The Bab, and Baha'u'llah (there will be more)

Confucians.10% 5-6 Million Water symbol

Kung Fu Tzu / Confucius in BCE - China China and Koreas

none – way of life - not religion The Analects of Confucius

Not addressed Purpose in life is to fulfill one’s role in society with propriety, honor, and loyalty

Honesty, politeness, propriety, and humaness Perform correct role in society Loyal to family and nation Many people practice Confucianism and another belief system.

.07% 4 million Jains

Mahavira, c. 550 BC, eastern India. Mostly in India

The universe is eternal; many gods exist. Gods, humans and all living things are classified in a complex hierarchy teachings of Mahavira in various collections.

Reincarnation until liberation The soul is uncreated and eternal and can attain perfect divinity by avoiding all bad karma

Five Great Vows (Non- Violence, Truth, Celibacy, Non-Stealing, Non- Possessiveness) worship at temples and at home Meditation and mantras

Torii Gate Shintos.04% 3-4 million

Indigenous religion of Japan Japan

Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or spirits Important texts are Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihon-gi (Chronicles of Japan)

Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death. Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami.

Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals.

Taoists (pronounced Daoists) Yin - yang.04% 20 Million

Lao-Tzu, c. 550 BC, China. Taiwan

Pantheism - the Tao pervades all. Yin-yang - opposites make up a unity. Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu

Revert back to state of non- being, which is simply the other side of being. Purpose is inner harmony, peace, and longevity.

"go with the flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi acupuncture and alchemy to help longevity

Zoroastrians.04% 20 Million

Zoroaster in c.6th cent. BC, Persia. Official religion of ancient Persia. May have influenced Judaism and Vedic religion In India called Parsism also in Central Asia

One God, Ahura Mazda, but a dualistic worldview in which an evil spirit, Angra Mainyu, is almost as powerful Zend Avesta

Judgement followed by heaven or hell. Hell is temporary until final purgation and return to Ahura Mazda Humans are free to do good or evil, must choose the side of good

Good deeds, charity, equality, hard work

Crescent Moon & Star 21% 1.5 billion Muslims

Muhammad, 622 AD in Saudi Arabia Middle East, North Africa, Central & Southeast Asia

One God, the God of Abraham (Allah). Qur’an (Koran) – scriptures. Hadith - traditions

Paradise or Hell Humans must submit to the will of God to gain Paradise after death.

5 Pillars of Islam – Giving of alms, Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), Fasting during Ramadan, prayer, declaration of faith. Mosque is the building. Service is on Friday Ablutions (ritual washing) before prayer. No alcohol or pork Holidays related to pilgrimage (Hajj) and fasting of Ramadan. Sunnis (90%) Shi’a (10%)

Kabah cornerstone. Given to Abraham by God. The door to the Kabah The Kabah at Makkah - believed to have been built by Adam and then Abraham. Makkah - only people who practice Islam are allowed inside. Heraa Cave where Gabriel came to Muhammad