Started around : 1500 BC Believers : Almost 1 billion (About 1.4 million in US) Popular in : South Asia (mostly India) House of worship : mandir Religious.

Major Religions of the World

Started around: 1500 BC

Believers: Almost 1 billion(About 1.4 million in US)

Popular in: South Asia (mostly India)House of worship: mandir

Religious leaders: Brahmins, gurus

pandits, swamisReligious text: The Vedas

Hinduism

Holy sites: Sapta Puri (Seven holy cities), Brihadeeswara Temple, Ganges RiverHolidays: Diwali, Dassehra, Holi

Sacred symbols: Om

Hinduism

Core BeliefsThere is only one divine principle;

the many gods (thousands of them) are only aspects of that unity. Life in

all its forms is an aspect of the divine. The meaningless cycle of

birth and rebirth (reincarnation) is determined by the purity of impurity

of past deeds (karma). To improve one’s karma by pure acts and deeds

is the aim of all Hindus.

BuddhismStarted around: 525 BC

Believers: About 450 million(About 3 million in US)

Popular in: Southern and Eastern AsiaHouse of worship: Temple

Religious leaders: Monks, LamasReligious text: The Tripitaka

Holy sites: Bodh Gaya (Where Buddha attained enlightenment), Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal

Holidays: Vesakha (Buddha’s birthday), Dhamma Day, Uposatha

Sacred symbols: Dharmachakra

Buddhism

Core BeliefsLife is suffering, and there is no ultimate reality behind it. The

cycle of birth and rebirth (reincarnation) continues

because of someone’s desire and attachment to their unreal self. Meditation (time spent in quiet thought) and good deeds will end this cycle and achieve

nirvana (enlightenment).

Started around: 500-300 BCBelievers: 450 million

Popular in: China, Chinese communities in other countriesHouse of worship: Miao (temple)Religious leaders: Laozi

Religious text: The Laozi, others

Taoism & Chinese folk religions

Taoism & Other

Chinese folk religions

Holy sites: Mount Tai & Dia Miao temple, Temple of Heaven

Holidays: New Year Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon

Festival

Sacred symbols: Taijitu (Ying-Yang)

More a philsophy (a way of thinking) than a religion, Taoists believe in

following the “Tao” or “The Way” – this is described as the right path one must

follow in life in harmony with the natural harmony of the world. This

includes the characteristics of compassion, moderation, and humility.

Associated with Taoism, Chinese folk religions include worship of a multitude

of gods and spirits, physical features, and one’s ancestors.

Core Beliefs

Started around: 2000 BC

Believers: About 15 million(About 7 million in

US)Popular in: Israel, United States House of worship:SynagogueReligious leaders: Rabbi

Religious text: The Torah

Judaism

Holy sites: Jerusalem, the Western (or Wailing) Wall

Holidays: Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah,

Hanukkah, Passover

Sacred symbols: Star of David

Judaism

There is only one God, and He is the creator and ruler of the

universe. The Jewish people believe they have a special

relationship/agreement with God (covenant): by obeying a divine law

God gave them, they would be special witnesses to His mercy and

justice. The Jewish people are awaiting their messiah (a savior or

liberator of people).

Core Beliefs

ChristianityStarted around: 1st Century ADBelievers: About 2.2 billion

(250 million in US)

Popular in: Europe, North and South America,

Southern AfricaHouse of worship: Church,

Cathedral

Religious leaders: Priests, ministers, bishops

Religious text: The Bible

Holy sites: Church of the Nativity, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, St. Peter’s Basilica, many othersHolidays: Easter, Christmas, Good

Friday, Saint feast days (depending on

branch)

Sacred symbols: Cross

Christianity

Core BeliefsJesus is the Son of God, fully divine (of, or like, a God) and fully human

and the savior of humanity (and therefore referred to as “Christ”).

Jesus' ministry, sacrificial death, and subsequent resurrection (rising

from the dead) are often referred to as the Gospel. Christians believe in

God the Father's eternal victory over evil, and the promise of salvation

and eternal life for all people.

Started around: 600s ADBelievers: About 1.6 billion

(2.6 million in US)

Popular in: North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia

House of worship: Mosque

Religious leaders: Mullah, Imam

Religious text: The Quran

Islam

Holy sites: Mecca, Medina, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

Holidays: Eid Al-Fitr, Ramadan, Eid Al-Adha

Sacred symbols: Star and Crescent

Islam

There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. It

recognizes previous Jewish and Christian holy messengers (prophets), but

Muhammad was the final one. Muslims follow the “Five Pillars” of Islam: Stating one’s faith (the top sentence), praying 5

times each day, giving money to the poor, fasting during the month of Ramadan,

and making a pilgrimage (religious journey) to Mecca (hajj).

Core Beliefs

Jainism – About 5 million followers, mostly in India

Sikhism – About 30 million followers, mostly in India

Baha’iism – About 6 million followers worldwide

Shintoism – About 5 million, mostly in Japan

No religion – 1.1 billion worldwide

Tribal religions – Perhaps 100 million, on most continents