Major World Religions I

Beginning - Who, When, Where, How? Supreme Being(s) Monotheistic or Polytheistic; name of Supreme Being(s) Name of Sacred Book Method of Reaching Paradise/Salvation Core Beliefs

Judaism Abraham in Israel and Palestine (Canaan) 1800 bce First monotheistic, being known as Yahweh Torah Following the Torah and all the commandments One god who created everything Follow the Torah

Hinduism No founder, 1500 bc, started in Indus Valley, spread by word of mouth Polytheism, all are the faces of Brahman

Buddhism In Nepal and Northern India, 528 bce, after Siddhartha Gautama reached salvation Polytheistic

The Vadar, Rig Veda was the No Sacred book oldest, collection of poems hymns, etc Liberate self from all Follow 8 fold path and 4 noble suffering and desires truths Moksha Do good unto others Reach salvation through being good with little desire

Religious Practices/Laws

All the commandments in the Karma Torah, alike to other Move up in caste system monotheistic religions

Where did it spread; How?

Eight fold path and Four noble truths Rejected Caste System No priests Achieve Nirvana Throughout the Throughout India by cultural Spread by Silk Road, and Mediterranean while on their diffusion Edicts of Ashoka, spread to search for a homeland India and China

Major World Religions II

Beginning - Who, When, Where, How? Supreme Being(s) Monotheistic or Polytheistic; name of Supreme Being(s) Name of Sacred Book Method of Reaching Paradise/Salvation Core Beliefs

Confucianism Started by Confucious around 500 bce In China

Christianity Jesus Christ founded, Jerusalem, around turn of millennium

No gods, worship ancestors

Supreme being called God Followed Christ Bible Follow commandments Go to church and say prayers Follow Jesus Christ and God

The Analects Filiopiety, follow the five principle relationships Humanity, golden rule, have empathy

Religious Practices/Laws

Superior takes care of and sets examples for Live without sin inferior, Inferior owes loyalty and obedience

Where did it spread; How?

Through China, by rule

All through the world