Comparative Study of World Religions: Origins, Beliefs, and Spread

Judaism

Oldest monotheistic faith; founded in Canaan (Abraham, Covenant with God)

Torah

Sacred text: Torah (first five books of Hebrew Bible). Emphasized laws, moral teachings, covenantal relationship.

Diaspora

Early kingdoms conquered → Jews dispersed in diaspora across Mediterranean.

Community leadership in Judaism

Community leadership = local rabbis instead of central priesthood (especially 1200-1450).

Persecution of Jews

Persecuted in both Christian and Muslim lands; often restricted to ghettos.

Influence of Judaism

Provided foundation for Christianity and Islam. Continued as minority communities, influencing economic and intellectual life.

Hinduism

Emerged from Vedic traditions (1500-500 BCE) → sacred texts: Vedas, Upanishads.

Core beliefs of Hinduism

Belief in Brahman (universal soul), reincarnation, karma, moksha (liberation).

Worship in Hinduism

Worship through many deities (e.g., Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi).

Rituals in Hinduism

Rituals led by Brahmin priests, but later devotional practices opened faith beyond priestly control.

Caste system in Hinduism

Supported caste system: people born into classes, difficult to change.

Spread of Hinduism

Expanded to Southeast Asia via trade and migration.

Influence of Hindu architecture

Hindu architecture/art influenced places like Angkor Wat.

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), 6th c. BCE.

Four Noble Truths

Teachings: Four Noble Truths (life = suffering; suffering = desire; end suffering = end desire; path = Eightfold Path).

Enlightenment in Buddhism

Enlightenment achievable by meditation, moral living, detachment.

Schools of Buddhism

Schools: Theravada (monastic, Southeast Asia), Mahayana (lay devotion), Chan/Zen (China/Japan, meditation).

Spread of Buddhism

Spread through missionaries and traders: from India → China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia.

Cultural Role of Buddhism

Syncretism common (e.g., coexistence with Confucianism, Hinduism). Became dominant in Southeast Asia by 1200 CE (Theravada).

Christianity

Emerged in Roman Empire among Jewish population. Based on life & teachings of Jesus (died c. 29 CE).

Jesus

Son of God, Messiah, salvation through his death/resurrection

Bible

Old + New Testament is sacred text.

Organized hierarchy

Hierarchy of priests, bishops, pope.

Great Schism

1054 CE → Catholic vs. Eastern Orthodox.

Spread of Christianity

Spread via Roman Empire, missionaries, and conquest (e.g., Northern Crusades).

Islam

Founded by Prophet Muhammad (570-632 CE); revelations recorded in Qur'an.

Monotheism in Islam

Allah = same God as in Judaism/Christianity.

Five Pillars of Islam

Faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage (hajj).

Historical Development of Islam

Rapid expansion across Arabia, N. Africa, Middle East, S. Asia.

Sunni vs. Shi'a

Split over leadership succession.

Sufism

Spread mysticism, blending with local traditions.

Cultural Role of Islam

Unified diverse peoples under shared belief/law (shari'a).

Spread of Islam

By 1200-1450, Islam spread into West Africa (Mali, Ghana), East Africa (Swahili Coast), Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malacca).

Syncretism in Hinduism

Hinduism blended with local traditions in SE Asia.

Buddhism Adaptation

Buddhism adapted to Chinese/SE Asian cultures.

Christianity Syncretism

Christianity incorporated Greco-Roman traditions.

Judaism Continuity

Continuity of Torah, but decentralized rabbinic leadership in diaspora.

Hinduism Continuity

Continued caste/reincarnation, but devotional reform movements.

Buddhism Continuity

Four Noble Truths constant, but many new schools.

Christianity Change

Jesus' teachings central, but major schism changed structure.

Islam Stability

Qur'an and Five Pillars stable, but divisions (Sunni-Shi'a, Sufism).

Political Power and Hinduism

Rulers supported temples, but also clashed with Islamic sultanates.

Political Influence of Buddhism

Monasteries gained political influence in SE Asia.

Christianity and Politics

Popes & patriarchs rivaled kings; crusades shaped politics.

Islam and Political Power

Caliphates, sultanates, and trade-based empires spread faith.

Judaism under Rulers

Often minority subjects under Christian/Muslim rulers.