1. CULTURE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS

2. Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama  Buddha (the awakened one) 4 th Largest Religion  ~250- 500 million followers

3. Buddhism  Three Jewels (foundations)  Buddha  The Dharma (teachings)  Sangha (the community)  2 Major Branches  Theravada (“The School of the Elders”)  Mahayana (“The Great Vehicle”)  Nirvana  requires sacrifice, but stops the cycle of suffering and death  Rebirth  Five Precepts 1. To refrain from taking life or ahims ā 2. To refrain from taking that which is not given 3. To refrain from sensual misconduct 4. To refrain from lying 5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness  “Bottom-up” religion

4. Buddhism

5. Christianity Trinity  God (father), Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit World’s Largest Religion  ~1.5-2.2 Billion Followers

6. Christianity  Monotheistic  Abrahamic  ties to Judaism  Originated in Mediterranean  Jesus as Messiah  4 Major Branches  Catholic  Eastern Orthodox  Anglican  Protestant  Sin  Repentance + Jesus = Salvation  Text: Bible  Soul lives forever  Creeds 1. belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Spirit 2. the death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ 3. the holiness of the Church and the communion of saints 4. Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful.

7. Christianity

8. Hinduism Formed of diverse traditions with no single founder 3 rd Largest Religion  ~1 Billion Followers

9. Hinduism  Texts: The Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and more!  Influenced by many other belief systems  Henotheistic  Brahma the Creator  Vishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver  Shiva, the Destroyer  2 Major Branches  Vaishnavaism  Shivaism  Doctrine of the Fourfold  The three goals of the "pravritti," those who are in the world, are: dharma: righteousness in their religious life. artha: success in their economic life kama: gratification of the senses  The main goal for the "nivritti," those who renounce the world. is: moksa: Liberation from "samsara." This is considered the supreme goal of mankind

10. Hinduism

11. Islam Muhammad  Prophet for Allah 2 nd Largest Religion  ~1.57 Billion Followers

12. Islam  Abrahamic  Monotheistic  Text: Qur’an  2 Major Branches  Sunni (87-90%)  Shi’ite (~10%)  Fastest growing religion  Youngest religion  Five Pillars  Shahadah: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”  Salat: Requirement to pray five times a day  Zakat: The practice of charitable giving  Sawm: Fasting  Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

13. Islam

14. Judaism Covenantal relationship with God as revealed to Moses Mostly ethno-religious  13 Million Followers

15. Judaism  Abrahamic  Monotheistic (oldest)  Text: Torah, Talmud and others.  12 Tribes  Children of Israel  Inspired Christianity and Islam  3 Major Branches  Orthodox  Conservative  Reform  13 Beliefs  God exists.  God is one and unique.  God is incorporeal.  God is eternal.  Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other.  The words of the prophets are true.  Moses was the greatest of the prophets, and his prophecies are true.  The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses.  There will be no other Torah.  God knows the thoughts and deeds of men.  God will reward the good and punish the wicked.  The Messiah will come.  The dead will be resurrected

16. Judaism

17. THE END!  A non-Jew asked Rabbi Hillel to teach him everything about the Torah while standing on one foot. Rabbi Hillel responded: "What is hateful to you, don't do unto your neighbor. The rest is commentary. Now, go and study."