1. Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam
World Religions
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam

2. Hinduism Time and Place: Prehistoric India Founder/Leader:
Hinduism can not be traced back to one founder with a single set of ideas
Text: Vedas and Upanishads—
The Vedas, was brought to India by the Aryans. Later, Hindu teachers tried to explain the meaning of the Vedas in the Upanishads
Monotheistic or Polytheistic?
Brahman (spirit) takes many forms
Brahma—The Creator
Vishnu—The preserver
Shiva—The Destroyer

3. Basic Beliefs/Teachings
Moksha—to achieve union w/ Brahman by freeing yourself from selfish desires
Reincarnation—rebirth of the soul in order to meet moksha
Karma-- actions of a person’s life that affect his or her fate in the next life (what goes around, comes around)
Dharma-- the religious and moral duties of an individual
Ahimsa—nonviolence. all people and things are part of Brahman and should be respected

4. Judaism
Time & Place—Palestine (Canaan) around 2000 B.C.E, Fertile Crescent, Hebrews go to Egypt
Founder—Abraham
Moses led Hebrews on Exodus from slavery in Egypt
David united Hebrews into one nation (Jerusalem becomes capital of Israel)
Text: Torah (Old Testament)
FIRST MONOTHEISTIC RELIGION
God = Yahweh

5. Basic Beliefs/Teachings
10 Commandments
Strong moral code of ethics/behavior
Abraham makes a covenant : an agreement with God
If Abraham and his followers followed God, God would lead them to the promise land
Diaspora-The Babylonians conquer Israel and force the Jews out, and they scatter all over the world.

6. Buddhism Time/Place-- Northern India (500’s BCE)
Founder—Siddartha Gautama
Texts--Tripitaka
(Three Baskets of Wisdom
Monotheistic/Polytheistic?
NONE! Goal is to reach nirvana/enlightenment (end of reincarnation)

7. Basic Beliefs/Teachings
Four Noble Truths
Everyone suffers and knows sorrow
We suffer because of our desires
We can end our suffering by eliminating our desires
We can eliminate our desires by following the Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path
Right views, aspirations, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and contemplation.
Nonviolence towards living things.

8. Christianity Time/Place-- Palestine C.E. 30. Roman Empire
Founder—Jesus Christ (Son of God, Messiah)
Paul was 1st missionary foundation of the Christian Church.
Apostles/Disciples – Jesus’ followers
Text-- The Bible (Old and New Testament)
Monotheistic

9. Basic Beliefs/Teachings
Jesus is the son of God and savior for all humankind.
Preaches: forgiveness, kindness love, Salvation available to anyone who believes.
Also uses the 10 commandments.

10. Islam Time/Place– Arabian Peninsula C.E. 622
Founder– Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Text– Qu’ran
Monotheistic
Allah = Arabic word for God

11. Basic Beliefs/Teachings
Five Pillars of Islam
Confession of Faith
Pray 5x a day, facing Mecca
Charity to the poor
Fast during Ramadan
Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
Consider Jews and Christians “People of the Book” and accepts their prophets