Exploring Major World Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha'i, Confucianism, Jainism

1. HINDUISM

2. Followers Called: Hindus Symbol: Aum or Om % of World Population: 13.33% # of adherents 900 Million

3. Origins & History: Indigenous (native) religion Where Found?: India

4. henotheistic – one deity (Brahman) with many forms. Deity & Universe: Sacred Writing: Vedas & Bhagavad Gita

5. Human Situation & Life's Purpose: Humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but are able to escape. Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth. Afterlife: Reincarnation until reach enlightenment

6. Practices and Rituals: • Yoga • Meditation • worship (puja) • devotion to a god or goddess • pilgrimage to holy cities • live according to one's dharma (purpose/ role).

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8. Chinese Indigenous

9. Followers Called: Symbol: 6.27% 394 million % of World Population: # of adherents

10. Origins & History: Indigenous folk religion of China Where Found?: China

11. Dualistic - yin and yang; mythological beings and folk deities Deity & Universe: Sacred Writing: None Human Situation & Life's Purpose: Purpose is a favorable life and peaceful afterlife, attained through rituals and honoring of ancestors

12. Judgment, then reincarnation or temporary hell until gain a Buddhist-type paradise Afterlife: Practices and Rituals: • Ancestor worship & prayer • longevity practices • divination, prophecy and astrology, feng shui

14. BUDDHISM

15. Followers Called: Buddhists 8 Spoke Wheel / Wheel of Law Symbol: % of World Population: 5.87% 360 Million # of adherents

16. Origins & History: Siddhartha Gautama - Buddha in 520 BCE – NE India Where Found?: Mongolia, Southeast Asia, China and Japan

17. Deity & Universe: Buddha taught that nothing is permanent. Sacred Writing: • Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others

18. Human Situation & Life's Purpose: Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit. Afterlife: Nirvana - Enlightenment

19. Practices and Rituals: • Meditation • Mantras (statement of belief repeated to aid concentration in meditation) • devotion to deities (in some sects)

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21. SIKHISM

22. Sikhs (pronounced Sic-khs (like khakhi)) Followers Called: Symbol: Khanda .39% 23 million % of World Population: # of adherents

23. Guru Nanak, c. 1500 AD, Punjab, India. Origins & History: Where Found?: Kashmir and Punjab

24. Henotheistic - Only one God in many forms. God: (Ik Onkar, Nam) Deity & Universe: Sacred Writing: Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) written in Gurumukhi (language created by Guru Nanak)

25. Human Situation & Life's Purpose: Overcome the self, align life with will of God, and become a "saint soldier," fighting for good Reincarnation until resolve karma and merge with God Afterlife:

26. Practices and Rituals: • Prayer and meditation on God's name • services at temple (gurdwara) • turban and five Ks: • (Kesa – long hair, kangah – comb, kacha – short pants, kara – metal bracelet, and Kirpan – ceremonial dagger) • Balance work, worship, and charity

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28. Baha'i

29. Baha’is Followers Called: Symbol: .12% 5-7 million % of World Population: # of adherents

30. Founded by Bahá'u'lláh, 1863, Tehran, Iran . Origins & History: Where Found?: India, Middle East, and Asia

31. One God, who has revealed himself progressively through major world religions Deity & Universe: Sacred Writing: Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and other Bahá'í leaders

32. Human Situation & Life's Purpose: The soul is eternal and essentially good. Purpose of life is to develop spiritually and draw closer to God Soul separates from the body and begins a journey towards or away from God. Heaven and hell are states of being Afterlife:

33. Practices and Rituals: • Daily prayer • avoidance of intoxicants • scripture reading • hard work, education, and work for social justice and equality • God is unknowable, but has sent great prophets: • Adam, Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, The Bab, and Baha'u'llah (there will be more)

35. CONFUCIANISM

36. Followers Called: Confucians Symbol: Water symbol % of World Population: .10% # of adherents 5-6 Million

37. Kung Fu Tzu / Confucius in 551-479 BCE - China Origins & History: Where Found?: China and Koreas

38. Deity & Universe none – way of life - not religion x Sacred Writing: The Analects of Confucius

39. Human Situation and Life's Purpose: Purpose in life is to fulfill one’s role in society with propriety, honor, and loyalty Not addressed Afterlife:

40. Practices and Rituals: • Honesty, politeness, propriety, and humaness • Perform correct role in society • Loyal to family and nation • Many people practice Confucianism and another belief system.

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42. Jainism

43. Jains Followers Called: Symbol: .07% 4 million % of World Population: # of adherents

44. Mahavira, c. 550 BC, eastern India . Origins & History: Where Found?: Mostly in India

45. The universe is eternal; many gods exist. Gods, humans and all living things are classified in a complex hierarchy Deity & Universe: Sacred Writing: teachings of Mahavira in various collections.

46. Human Situation & Life's Purpose: The soul is uncreated and eternal and can attain perfect divinity by avoiding all bad karma Reincarnation until liberation Afterlife:

47. Practices and Rituals: • Five Great Vows (Non-Violence, Truth, Celibacy, Non-Stealing, Non-Possessiveness) • worship at temples and at home • Meditation and mantras

49. SHINTOISM

50. Followers Called: Shintos Symbol: Torii Gate .04% 3-4 million % of World Population: # of adherents