Notable Non-Judeo-Christian World Religions (& Basic Information)

Hinduism

1) Founded in India around 2000 BCE, it had no single founder and was a fusion of different beliefs over time

2) Believe in Krishna- an Avatar of Vishnu- (Incarnation of) God in human form

3) Believe in Karma

4) Believe in Dharma

5) Believe in Samsara- The wheel/cycle of rebirths (incarnations) that one goes through

6) Believe in Moksha- A state achieved by escaping Samsara

7) Believe in Brahman- The transcendent reality of the whole universe, the final cause of all that exists

8) 3rd Largest Religion in the World (1 Billion)

Hinduism [Figures]

1) Brahma- The Creator

2) Vishnu- The Preserver (can take human form like with Krishna)

3) Shiva- The Transformer

4) Durga- Protective Divine Mother

5) Ganesha- Wise Patron of Success

Buddhism

1) Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in 600 BCE in India (became the Buddha, the Enlightened one)

2) The 8 Fold Path- 8 Step Plan to reduce selfish cravings and suffering and achieve Enlightenment or "Buddhahood"

3) Believe all life abounds in suffering

4) Believe Actions are more important than Beliefs

5) 1 Billion Buddhists today

Islam

1) Founded by Mohammed in 600 AD in present-day Saudi Arabia

2) Believe in Allah (Akbar)- the one God of Abraham

3) Believe in the 5 Pillars

4) Shahada- Public declaration of the faith that there is 5) No God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet

Salat- Requirement to pray 5 times a day facing Mecca

6) Zakat- Requirement to give up to 3% of what you own to the poor

7) Saum- Requirement to fast during Ramadan

8) Hajj- Requirement of Pilgrimage to Mecca to be judged by God

9) Muslim means one who surrenders [submits to the Will of God]

10) Main Book- Quran or "The Recitation"

11) Mohammed Meditated in a cave and was visited by a divine messenger named Gabriel and compiled more messages into what became known as Islam

12) 2nd Largest Religion in the World (1.5 Billion)