Overview
This lecture provides an overview of the world's major religions, their origins, historical development, major branches, and key features, with detailed coverage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam.
Major World Religions and Historical Roots
- The four largest religions by followers: Christianity (2.4B), Islam (1.8B), Hinduism (1.2B), Buddhism (500M); Judaism added for historical importance.
- Chinese folk religion (Chinese syncretism) is the fifth largest if measuring by size.
- Many ancient religions influenced modern ones: Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Proto-Indo-European, and Indus Valley religions contributed to Judaism and Hinduism.
- Prehistoric religions are exemplified by sites like Göbekli Tepe.
Hinduism: Beliefs, Scriptures, and Development
- Hinduism is a diverse set of traditions called dharma, not one single religion.
- Main deities: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver; avatars: Krishna, Rama), Shiva (destroyer); consorts: Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati.
- Concepts include polytheism, monotheism, henotheism, pantheism, and atheism in various interpretations.
- Two main scripture types: Shruti (Vedas and Upanishads—authoritative), Smriti (Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Puranas).
- Traditional view: Hinduism is ancient and cyclical; academic view: developed gradually from Indus Valley, folk, and Indo-European influences.
- Vedic religion evolved into Brahmanism, then Hinduism, shaped further by the Sramana movement (producing Buddhism and Jainism).
- Six Astika (orthodox) schools: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta; Nastika (heterodox) schools include Buddhism and Jainism.
- Four main denominations: Vaishnavism (Vishnu-focused), Shaivism (Shiva-focused), Shaktism (Shakti/goddess-focused), Smartism (multiple deities).
- Modern Neo-Hindu movements include ISKCON (Hare Krishnas) and Transcendental Meditation.
Buddhism: Origin, Branches, and Teachings
- Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in 5th century BCE after achieving enlightenment.
- Core teachings: Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path; Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma (teachings), Sangha (community).
- Scriptures: Tripitaka (Vinaya Pitaka, Sutra Pitaka, Abhidharma).
- Main branches: Theravada (strict, Sri Lanka/SE Asia), Mahayana (East Asia, many bodhisattvas), Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism, esoteric).
- Key beliefs: Enlightenment is escape from rebirth cycle; Theravada values becoming an arhat, Mahayana values becoming a bodhisattva for others.
- Sub-branches: Zen (Chan), Pure Land, Tendai/Tiantai.
- Notion of deity varies; Mahayana recognizes spiritual beings similar to gods.
Chinese Religions and Syncretism
- Chinese folk religion mixes elements from Buddhism, Taoism (focus on the Tao, yin-yang), and Confucianism (social harmony, practical philosophy).
- Polytheism, ancestor veneration, and belief in immortals are central.
- Chinese Salvationist religions (e.g., Yiguandao, Falun Gong) arose in modern times, often blending various elements.
Judaism: History, Branches, and Practices
- Judaism emphasizes practice (mitzvot) over belief or salvation; less focus on afterlife or original sin.
- Origins: Ancient Israelite religion, later influenced by Egypt, Mesopotamia, Zoroastrianism, and Hellenism.
- Surviving sect after 70 CE: Pharisees, forming Rabbinic Judaism with the Talmud (Mishnah + Gemara).
- Key subgroups: Sephardi, Ashkenazi, Mizrahi (regional, not denominational).
- Modern denominations: Orthodox (binding, unchanging law), Conservative/Masorti (binding, evolving law), Reform (non-binding, individual approach), Reconstructionist, Renewal.
- In Israel: Jews are categorized by observance (secular, traditional, religious, ultra-Orthodox), not denominations.
Islam: Origins, Branches, and Law
- Founded on the Qur'an, seen as the final and ultimate revelation; Prophet Muhammad as final prophet.
- Major split over succession: Sunnis (majority, 4 main legal schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) vs. Shias (minority, led by Imams—descendants of Muhammad).
- Sunni jurisprudence guided by scholars (ulama), Shia guided by infallible Imams.
- Other sects: Sufism (mystical), Kharijites/Ibadi (Oman), Ahmadis (disputed Muslimhood), Nation of Islam (U.S.).
- Revivalist movements: Wahhabism (Saudi Arabia), Salafis, Ahl-e-Hadith, Barelvis, Deobandis.
- Twelver Shia dominate Iran; Ismailis and Zaidis are other Shia groups.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Syncretism — mixing of different religious beliefs and practices.
- Dharma — cosmic order or path in Indian religions.
- Trimurti — Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.
- Vedas — oldest Hindu scriptures, divided into Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda.
- Moksha — liberation from the cycle of rebirth in Hinduism/Buddhism.
- Bodhisattva — one who seeks enlightenment for all beings in Buddhism.
- Sangha — Buddhist monastic community.
- Madhhab — school of Islamic jurisprudence.
- Imam — religious leader in Islam, especially central in Shia tradition.
- Halacha — Jewish law.
- Mitzvot — commandments or religious duties in Judaism.
- Tao — the fundamental principle underlying the universe in Taoism.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review family tree charts for each religion to visualize relationships and development.
- Study core scriptures: Vedas, Tripitaka, Bible, Qur’an, Talmud for comparative understanding.
- Read about specific denominations or movements of interest for deeper insight.