Major World Religions: Beliefs, Practices, and History

Posted on Jul 12, 2025 in Religion

Hinduism: Core Beliefs and Practices

Hinduism is a profound way of life, deeply embraced by its practitioners. Central to the Hindu worldview is the Karma-Samsara-Moksha doctrine, a foundational framework for understanding existence.

The Cycle of Rebirth and Liberation

  • Atman (Self/Soul): The individual self is believed to be reincarnated into the world, cycling through various forms.
  • Samsara (Cycle of Rebirth): This continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth is driven by karma.
  • Karma (Action & Consequence): Actions performed in one life determine experiences in future lives.
  • Dukkha (Suffering): The process of endless reincarnation is characterized by suffering, both from life itself and from repeated rebirths. The Samsaric cycle is sometimes called “Redeath” due to its continuous return to a world of suffering.
  • Moksha (Liberation): Freedom from this cycle of suffering can be attained through spiritual knowledge (jnana), fulfilling one’s duty (dharma), or cultivating loving devotion to a deity (bhakti).

Traditional Paths to Moksha (Darshanas)

These philosophical schools, known as Darshanas, offer distinct approaches to achieving liberation:

  • Samkhya & Yoga: Achieved through yogic discipline and meditation.
  • Nyaya & Vaisheshika: Attained through right understanding and logical reasoning.
  • Mimamsa & Vedanta: Realized through the fulfillment of dharmic duty and scriptural knowledge.

Hinduism: An Ancient Tradition

Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest religions, originated in India over 3,000 years ago. It centers on the belief in Brahman, a single, ultimate reality, of which individual souls (Atman) are a part.

Key Concepts in Hinduism

  • Dharma: Righteous conduct, duty, and moral order.
  • Karma: The universal law of cause and effect.
  • Samsara: The continuous cycle of rebirth.
  • Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of samsara.

Hindu Deities and Worship

Hindus worship many deities, seen as different forms of the one supreme reality, Brahman. The primary male deities form the Trimurti:

  • Brahma: The Creator.
  • Vishnu: The Preserver, who incarnates as avatars like Rama and Krishna.
  • Shiva: The Destroyer and Transformer.

Other important male deities include Ganesha (remover of obstacles), Hanuman (devotion), and Murugan (war). The primary goddesses, forming the Tridevi, include:

  • Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
  • Saraswati: Goddess of wisdom and arts.
  • Parvati: Goddess of love, devotion, and strength. Fierce forms like Durga and Kali represent power and the destruction of evil.

Devotion varies, but all deities represent aspects of the divine and are worshipped in temples, festivals, and daily rituals (puja).

Sacred Texts and Practices

Key sacred texts include:

  • The Vedas (ancient hymns and philosophical treatises).
  • The Upanishads (philosophical texts on ultimate reality).
  • The Bhagavad Gita (a philosophical dialogue within the Mahabharata epic).
  • Epic tales like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Common practices include:

  • Daily worship (puja).
  • Meditation and Yoga.
  • Chanting mantras.
  • Observing festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Navaratri.

Paths to Spiritual Liberation

Multiple paths lead to spiritual liberation:

  • Karma Yoga: The path of selfless action.
  • Bhakti Yoga: The path of loving devotion.
  • Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge and wisdom.
  • Raja Yoga: The path of meditation and mental discipline.

Traditionally, society was divided into castes, though modern laws prohibit caste-based discrimination. Hinduism encompasses several branches, such as Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism, each focusing on different aspects of the divine.

Buddhism: Teachings of Enlightenment

Buddhism is a non-theistic spiritual tradition founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in the 6th century BCE in India. It teaches that life involves suffering (dukkha), caused by craving, but this suffering can be overcome.

Core Teachings and Goal

The path to overcoming suffering involves following the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which promote ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. The ultimate goal is Nirvana, a state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Central beliefs include karma, the law of cause and effect, and living according to the Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings).

Buddhist Practices

Buddhists engage in various practices, including:

  • Meditation.
  • Mindfulness.
  • Chanting.
  • Following a monastic path (for some).

Branches of Buddhism

The religion has three main branches:

  • Theravāda: Focuses on personal enlightenment and monastic discipline.
  • Mahāyāna: Emphasizes compassion and helping all beings achieve enlightenment.
  • Vajrayāna: Known for its rituals, mantras, and tantric practices, especially in Tibetan Buddhism.

Symbols and Festivals

Important symbols include the Dharma wheel, lotus flower, and Bodhi tree. Key festivals like Vesak honor the Buddha’s life and teachings.

Deities and Spiritual Beings in Buddhism

Buddhism does not believe in a creator god, and the Buddha is respected as an enlightened teacher, not worshipped as a god. However, Buddhist teachings acknowledge the existence of devas (gods) and spiritual beings in higher realms, though they are still subject to the cycle of rebirth and are not considered ultimate beings.

  • Theravāda Buddhism: Devas are largely symbolic and not central to practice.
  • Mahāyāna Buddhism: Enlightened beings called Bodhisattvas play important roles in guiding others toward enlightenment. Examples include Avalokiteśvara (compassion), Manjushri (wisdom), and Maitreya (the future Buddha).
  • Vajrayāna (Tibetan) Buddhism: Features many deities and symbolic figures like Tara, Vajrapani, and Padmasambhava, who represent different aspects of enlightenment and aid in meditation and transformation. These figures are viewed as powerful manifestations of enlightened qualities rather than traditional gods.

Judaism: Monotheism and Covenant

Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, founded around 2000 BCE in the Middle East. It centers on the belief in one God (YHWH) who made a covenant with the Jewish people.

Core Beliefs and Practices

Jews follow a set of 613 commandments (mitzvot), ranging from ethical duties to ritual observances. Key practices include:

  • Observing the Sabbath (Shabbat), a day of rest and spiritual reflection.
  • Keeping kosher dietary laws.
  • Engaging in daily prayer.
  • A commitment to tikkun olam (“repairing the world”) through justice and community.

Jewish Sacred Texts

Judaism’s sacred writings form the foundation of its religious teachings, laws, and traditions:

  • Tanakh (Hebrew Bible): The central text, comprising:
    • Torah (Law): The first five books, containing creation narratives, Jewish history, and the 613 commandments.
    • Nevi’im (Prophets): Prophetic books.
    • Ketuvim (Writings): Poetic and historical books.
  • Talmud: Essential for understanding Jewish law and practice, composed of the Mishnah (oral laws) and Gemara (commentary).
  • Midrash: Offers interpretive stories and lessons from biblical texts.
  • Siddur: The Jewish prayer book for daily and holiday worship.
  • Zohar: Central to Kabbalah, containing mystical teachings.

These texts, mainly in Hebrew and Aramaic, continue to shape Jewish life, belief, and identity.

Branches of Judaism

Judaism has several branches, each with varying interpretations and practices:

  • Orthodox: Strictly traditional adherence to Jewish law.
  • Conservative: Moderate adaptation of tradition to modern life.
  • Reform: Liberal and modernized approach, emphasizing ethical principles.
  • Reconstructionist: Views Judaism as an evolving religious civilization.

Jewish Holidays and Symbols

Judaism celebrates rich festivals commemorating key historical and theological events:

  • Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year.
  • Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement.
  • Passover: Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.
  • Sukkot: Festival of Booths.
  • Shavuot: Commemorates the giving of the Torah.
  • Hanukkah: Festival of Lights.

Central symbols representing Jewish identity and connection to God include the Star of David, menorah, and mezuzah. Sacred sites like Jerusalem and the Western Wall hold deep historical and spiritual significance.

Christianity: Faith in Jesus Christ

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. Originating in the 1st century CE in the Middle East, it is now the world’s largest religion.

Core Beliefs and Salvation

Christians believe in one God expressed in three persons—the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus, whose death atones for sin and whose resurrection offers eternal life.

The Christian Bible

The sacred text is the Bible, comprising:

  • The Old Testament: Shared with Judaism, detailing creation, ancient Israel’s history, and prophecies.
  • The New Testament: Focuses on Jesus’ life and teachings, the early Christian church, and apocalyptic visions. It includes the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles (letters), and Revelation.

Major Branches and Practices

Major branches of Christianity include:

  • Catholicism: Led by the Pope, with a rich tradition of sacraments and liturgy.
  • Orthodox Christianity: Emphasizes ancient traditions and iconography, prominent in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
  • Protestantism: A diverse group of denominations emphasizing personal faith and the Bible, stemming from the Reformation.

Core practices include:

  • Prayer and communal worship.
  • Baptism (initiation into the faith).
  • Communion (Eucharist), commemorating Jesus’ last supper.

Key moral teachings focus on love, compassion, humility, and adherence to the Ten Commandments.

Key Events and Historical Context

Jesus Christ was crucified around 30–33 CE and buried in a rock-cut tomb near Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, the tomb was found empty on the third day, marking the Resurrection, the foundation of Christian belief.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus traveled mainly on foot across Galilee, Samaria, and Judea, teaching and performing miracles in towns like Nazareth, Capernaum, and Jerusalem. He also visited Gentile regions like the Decapolis and Tyre, strategically reaching diverse groups.

Jesus lived during the Roman Empire, a time of well-established trade and road networks (e.g., Via Maris, King’s Highway). While Jesus remained in the Levant, these routes later enabled his followers to spread Christianity rapidly across the Roman world, contributing to its enduring global impact.

The Four Gospels

The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—offer distinct perspectives on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, forming the primary narrative of his earthly ministry.

Islam: Submission to Allah

Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE in Arabia, with over 1.9 billion followers worldwide. Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and follow the teachings of the Quran, considered the literal word of God, and the Hadith, which are sayings and actions of Muhammad.

The Five Pillars of Islam

Central to Islamic practice are the Five Pillars, fundamental acts of worship:

  • Shahada: The declaration of faith, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
  • Salah: Ritual prayers performed five times a day, facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
  • Zakat: Obligatory charity given to the needy.
  • Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
  • Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a Muslim’s lifetime if able.

Branches of Islam

Islam has two main branches:

  • Sunni: Represents the majority of Muslims, following the traditions of the Prophet and his companions.
  • Shia: Emphasizes the leadership of Muhammad’s family and specific imams.

Muslims also follow Sharia, a system of Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Key Concepts and Holidays

The religion stresses community, charity, and spiritual purity, with the concept of Tawhid highlighting the absolute oneness of God. Key holidays include:

  • Eid al-Fitr: Celebrates the end of Ramadan.
  • Eid al-Adha: Commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son.