It both is and is not; neither is, nor is not. Eastern Religions It both is and is not; neither is, nor is not.

Hinduism The Worlds Oldest continuously practiced relgion. Polytheistic or Henotheistic Literally means “eternal law Hinduism is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder

Buddhism The Buddha — the "Awakened One" — called the religion he founded Dhamma-vinaya — "the doctrine and discipline." Shortly after his Awakening, the Buddha delivered his first sermon, in which he laid out the essential framework upon which all his later teachings were based. This framework consists of the Four Noble Truths, four fundamental principles of nature (Dhamma) that emerged from the Buddha's honest assessment of the human condition. He taught these truths not as metaphysical theories or as articles of faith, but as categories by which we should frame our direct experience in a way that conduces to Awakening

The Four Noble truths and eightfold Path 1. Dukkha: Suffering exists: The first truth is that life is suffering i.e. life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, boredom, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. 2. Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and the needing to control things. It can take many forms: the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy. 3. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf let go of our craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana. 4. Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path. The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering Eightfold path: Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Contemplation

Therevada Theravada, the "Doctrine of the Elders," is the school of Buddhism that draws its scriptural inspiration from the Tipitaka, or Pali canon, which scholars generally agree contains the earliest surviving record of the Buddha's teachings. For many centuries, Theravada has been the predominant religion of continental Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, and Laos) and Sri Lanka. Today Theravada Buddhists number well over 100 million worldwide. In recent decades Theravada has begun to take root in the West.

Mahayana Mahayana Buddhism emerged in the first century CE as a more liberal, accessible interpretation of Buddhism. As the "Greater Vehicle" (literally, the "Greater Ox-Cart"), Mahayana is a path available to people from all walks of life - not just monks and ascetics. Mahayana Buddhism is the primary form of Buddhism in North Asia and the Far East, n as Northern Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhists accept the Pali Canon as sacred scripture with the Theravadans, but also many other works, called the Sutras.

Zen Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán (禪), which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state." Zen emphasizes wisdom in the attainment of enlightenment. As such, it de-emphasizes theoretical knowledge in favor of meditation. The emergence of Zen as a distinct school of Buddhism was first documented in China in the 7th century CE. From China, Zen spread south to Vietnam, and east to Korea and Japan.

Jainism Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called a jina ("conqueror" or "victor"). Historians date the foundation of the organized or present form of Jainism to sometime between the 9th and the 6th century BC. Jainism may have had its roots in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Sikhism Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing. This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally 'of the gurus'). Punjab of India is the only region in the world with a majority Sikh population. Sikhs embody the qualities of a "Sant-Sipahie"—a saint-soldier. One must have control over one's internal vices and be able to be constantly immersed in virtues clarified in the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhi advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God.