Origin/dates—Aryan invaders/1700-1500 BCE (with later additions)

Spread—primarily India and modern Pakistan

Major Beliefs One ultimate reality—Brahma Reincarnation based on karma Dharma, duties, rules of conduct Vedas

Other important information: No “founder” or “date” of founding Tolerant of other religions Little in the way of formal beliefs Adaptable to meditation and ritual

Origin/dates—India (Siddhartha Gautama)/~500 BCE

Spread—Northern India, East Asia, SE Asia, Japan

Major Beliefs Four Noble Truths▪ Universality of suffering▪ Desire is the cause of suffering▪ Nirvana as the cessation of desire▪ Eightfold Path as the guide

Other important information: Strong monastic tradition Spread via travelling monks Mahayana and Theraveda sects Zen Buddhism….enlightenment through

meditation

Origin/dates—China (Kong Fu Zi)/~500 BCE

Spread—China (partly due to work of Mencius)

Major Beliefs Li, Ren, Xiao Junzi Five relationships▪ Ruler/subject▪ Father/son▪ Elder/younger brother▪ Husband/wife▪ Friend/friend

Other important information Ethical system (human conduct) rather

than a religion Humans/human behavior can be

improved Dominant influence on Chinese

government Placed high value on education Analects

Origin/date—Hebrews/first writings 1000-800 BCE

Spread—Israel, later diaspora…North Africa, Middle East, Europe

Major beliefs Monotheism Chosen people Coming messiah Torah, Tanakh, and Talmud

Other important information First monotheistic religion Influenced Christianity and Islam No overarching hierarchy Four major levels of observance▪ Orthodox▪ Conservative▪ Reform▪ Reconstruction

Origin/date—Israel (Jesus of Nazareth)/30s CE

Spread—Israel, through Roman world, Byzantium, Europe

Major beliefs Monotheistic w/ Jesus as Messiah Salvation through grace Gospels w/ large body of interpretative

writings (Pauline letters, etc.)

Other important information Legalized by Constantine 300s CE Strong ascetic/monastic tradition Missionary outreach Split between Catholicism and

Protestantism in 1500s No overarching hierarchy;

denominations typically do have hierarchies

Origins/date—Arabia (Muhammad)/early 600s CE

Spread—Arabian Peninsula, Middle East, Africa, India, SW Europe

Major beliefs Monotheistic (Allah) w/ Muhammad as the

primary prophet Five Pillars of Islam▪ We All Feel Prayer Pays ▪ Witness (“There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is

His prophet.”)▪ Alms (to assist poor)▪ Fasting (during Ramadan)▪ Prayer (5 times daily)▪ Pilgrimage (to Mecca)

Qu’ran

Other important information Hijra—migration from Mecca to Medina Division between Sunni (majority) and

Shi’a sects No overarching hierarchy Sharia—legal code