Asian Religions and Philosophies

Indian Subcontinent Religions

Major religions that originated from the Indian Subcontinent (South Asia), including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Hinduism

The oldest religion from the Indian Subcontinent, developed from Aryan beliefs, Brahmanism, and Upanishads, with no single founder.

Vedas

Hymns and rituals brought by Aryans (Indo-Europeans) in Hinduism to honor gods.

Brahmanism

A practice in early Hinduism characterized by priest-led rituals and sacrifices for blessings.

Upanishads

Philosophical texts in Hinduism that introduced concepts like samsara (reincarnation) and karma.

Samsara

The cycle of reincarnation or rebirth in Hinduism.

Karma

The principle in Hinduism where actions determine one's fate in future lives (rebirth).

Moksha

The ultimate goal of life in Hinduism; liberation of the soul and union with Brahma (escape from samsara).

Dharma (Hinduism)

One of the Four Purposes in Life in Hinduism, referring to duty or purpose.

Artha

One of the Four Purposes in Life in Hinduism, referring to wealth and prosperity.

Kama

One of the Four Purposes in Life in Hinduism, referring to desires and pleasures.

Trimurti

The three major gods in Hinduism: Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), and Shiva (Destroyer).

Brahma

The Creator god in the Hindu Trimurti.

Vishnu

The Preserver god in the Hindu Trimurti.

Shiva

The Destroyer god in the Hindu Trimurti.

Bathala

An ancient Filipino deity whose worship was influenced by Hindu concepts, derived from Batara Guru (Shiva).

Buddhism

A religion founded by Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) after he sought spiritual truth following observations of life's suffering.

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism, also known as Buddha, born into luxury and inspired to seek truth by the 'Four Passing Sights'.

Four Passing Sights

Siddhartha Gautama's encounters with an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and a holy ascetic, which revealed universal suffering.

Four Noble Truths

The fundamental teachings of Buddhism: Dukkha (Suffering), Samudaya (Cause of Suffering), Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering), and Magga (Path to Cessation of Suffering).

Dukkha

The First Noble Truth in Buddhism: The Truth of Suffering.

Samudaya

The Second Noble Truth in Buddhism: The Truth of the Cause of Suffering.

Nirodha

The Third Noble Truth in Buddhism: The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering.

Magga

The Fourth Noble Truth in Buddhism: The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering, which includes the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path

The practical guideline in Buddhism for achieving the cessation of suffering, part of the Fourth Noble Truth (Magga).

Sikhism

A religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the Punjab region, emphasizing belief in one God and rejection of rituals and superstitions.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

The founder of Sikhism.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib

The holy book of Sikhism, containing the teachings of Sikh gurus.

Khalsa Brotherhood

A specific order or community within Sikhism whose members adhere to the Five Ks.

Five Ks (Sikhism)

Five articles of faith worn by initiated Sikhs: Kesh (uncut hair/turban), Kangha (comb), Kara (steel bracelet), Kachera (short trousers), Kirpan (small sword).

Judaism

The oldest monotheistic religion in West Asia, believing in one God (Yahweh) and originating with the Hebrews in Canaan.

Yahweh

The one God worshipped in Judaism.

Torah

The holy book of Judaism, comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament.

Abraham (Judaism)

An important figure in Judaism, considered the father of the Israelites who made a covenant with God.

Moses (Judaism)

An important figure in Judaism who delivered the Ten Commandments and led the Israelites.

Diaspora

The scattering of Jewish people worldwide from their homeland.

Zoroastrianism

A religion founded by Zarathustra in the Persian Empire, believing in one supreme God, Ahura Mazda, opposed by Ahriman.

Zarathustra (Zoroaster)

The founder of Zoroastrianism.

Ahura Mazda

The supreme God in Zoroastrianism, the 'Wise Lord', representing the good force.

Ahriman

The evil force opposing Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrianism.

Parsis

A small community that still practices Zoroastrianism today.

Islam

A religion founded by Prophet Muhammad in Mecca, meaning 'submission to Allah'.

Prophet Muhammad

The founder of Islam, considered by Muslims to be the last messenger of Allah.

Allah

The one true God in Islam.

Qur’an (Koran)

The holy book of Islam.

Five Pillars of Islam

The fundamental practices of Islam: Shahada (Faith/Witnessing), Salat (Prayer), Zakah (Charity), Sawm (Fasting), Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca).

Shahada

The first of the Five Pillars of Islam: the declaration of faith or witnessing ('There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger').

Salat

The second of the Five Pillars of Islam: performing ritual prayers five times a day.

Zakah

The third of the Five Pillars of Islam: giving charity to the poor and needy.

Sawm

The fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam: fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Hajj

The fifth of the Five Pillars of Islam: the pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim must undertake at least once if able.

Confucianism

A moral philosophy founded by Confucius in China, emphasizing respect, proper behavior, loyalty, family, and social harmony.

Confucius (Kung Fu Tzu)

The founder of Confucianism.

Li (Confucianism)

A key value in Confucianism