Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Founder of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama

Ashoka

Indian King who spread Buddhism

Beliefs of Buddhism

Four Noble Truths: Life is Suffering, Material possessions cause suffering, Let go of material things, Follow the Eightfold Path

Monks and Nuns

Important to Buddhist religion, dress in burnt orange robes, eat once a day, let go of all material needs and wants, pray for hours, reach pure enlightenment (Nirvana)

Nirvana

Pure Enlightenment

14th Dalai Lama

Buddhist leader, travels the world and speaks to world leaders

Hinduism

Oldest religion, polytheistic (belief in more than one god), main being is Brahman (a universal spirit), three most important forms of Brahman are: creator, preserver, destroyer

What happens when you die

Reincarnation - rebirth after death, influenced by karma

Caste System

Divides classes of society, behavior in life determines movement up or down the caste system after reincarnation

Sacred Book of Hinduism

The Vedas

Judaism

Religion of the Hebrews, founded by Abraham, led by Moses, follows the Ten Commandments

Diaspora

Scattering of Jews from homeland

Monotheism

Belief in one God (Judaism, Catholicism, and Islam)

Sacred text of Judaism

Torah

Synagogue

Jewish house of worship

Holy Text of Christianity

Bible

Founder of Christianity

Jesus

Sacraments of Christianity

Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (Communion), Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony

Saints

Important people you pray through

Number of Christians today

2.4 billion worldwide - Largest religion

Branches of Christianity

Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox (Eastern and Oriental)

Founder of Islam

Muhammad

Holy Book of Islam

Qu'ran

Five Pillars of Islam

1. There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God, 2. Pray 5 times daily, 3. Give to the poor, 4. Fasting during Ramadan, 5. Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca

Number of Muslims today

Around 2 billion, fastest growing religion

Branches of Islam

Sunni (85-95% of Muslims), Shi'ite (10-15% of Muslims)

Sikhism

Not Islam, but influenced by it