Short essay on Religions of the World

Buddhism

Gautam Buddha was the founder of Buddhism religion. He was born in Lumbini (Nepal) in 563 BC. and died in 483 BC. Buddhism is now followed in the countries such as China, Korea, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet, Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Combodia etc. The Tripitaka is the sacred book of this religion. Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar are the sacred places. Viharas and Monasteries are the places of worship. Buddhism faith is divided into two important sects-Mahayana and Hinayana.

Jainism

Mahavir Jain was the founder of Jainism. He was born in 540 BC at Kundagram village in Vaishali district of Bihar. The name of his father was Siddharth and his mother was Triticale. Mahavir got Kaivalya (enlightment) in the village Jumbik near Rijupalika River. He died in 468 BC at Pavapuri in Nalanda. Mahavir gave his followers Tri Ratna principles to be followed by them to get Kaivalya. This religion is popular in India only.

Confucianism

Kung Fu Tsu, better known as Confucius (551-479 BC) founded this religion in 500 BC. He was born in the state of Lu in China. The Analects is the sacred book of this religion and Beijing in China is the sacred place. There is no place of worship. This religion is followed in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam etc.

Christianity

Jesus Christ (5 BC-30 AD) founded this religion. He was born Judea near Jerusalem. The Bible (Old Testaments and New Testamentsis the sacred book of this religion. Jerusalem is the most sacred for Christians (followers of Christ). Church is the place of worship for them. This religion is spread all over the world. Catholics and Protestants are two important sects of this religion.

Hinduism

This religion is considered to be of a divine origin. It was founded in1500 B.C. The Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagwat Gita. The Vedas and The Upanishada are the sacred books of this religion. Temple is the place of worship. This religion is followed in India, Nepal, Fiji, Guiana, Indonesia, Maurititius, Surinam, and South Africa etc.

Islam

Prophet Mohammad Saheb (570-632 AD) founded Islam religion. He was born at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. He founded Islam religion in 622 AD. The Quran (saying of God) and the Hadis (collection of Mohammad teachings) are the sacred books of Islam. Makkah (Mecca) and Madina in Saudi Arabia are the two sacred places. The followers of Islam are known as Muslims, Masjid (Mosque) is place of worship for the Muslims. Sunnis and Shias are two important sects of this religion. Hijri era started in 622 AD. When Prophet Mohammad migrated from Mecca to Madina with his followers. Fatima was the daughter and Hazrat Ali was the son-in-law of Prophet Mohmmad. Hazrat Hassan and Hussain were his grandsons. There are four Caliphet (Khalifa) after the death of Prophet Mohammad in 632 AD. They are Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar Faruque, Hazrat Usman and Hazrat Ali. The meaning of Islam is the submission to Allah. The Mousoleum of Prophet Mohammad is in Madina.

Judaism

This religion is also known as religion of the Hebrews. Moses was born in Egypt. He founded this religion in 1300 BC. The Hals Is the sacred book of this religion. Jerusalem is the sacred place for the followers of Judaism. The followers of the Judaism are known as Jews. Synagogue is the place of worship for them.

Shintoism

This religion is associated with the Japanese culture and developed out of tradition and ancestor worship, This religion is mainly followed In Japan, Central Shrine of ise (central Japan) and the Yasukuni Shrine on Tokyo are the sacred place for them,

Sikhism

Founder of this religion was Guru Nanak (1469-1539), He founded ^his religion in 1500 AD, Sacred book of this religion Is Guru Granth sheb, Golden Temple of Amritsar is the sacred place for the Sikhs. Guruwara is the place of worship for them; this religion is followed mainly In India.

Taoism

Lao-tse was a Chinese philosopher who founded this religion. In 6th century BC. The Tao-te-Chlang is the sacred book of this religion and is followed in China, Taiwan, Nauru, Singapur and Vietnam.

Zoroastrianism (Parsi Religion)

Zoroaster born in Medea (Iran) about 660 BC and founded this religion. The Zend Avesta is the sacred book of this religion. Fire temple is the place of worship for them. This religion is followed In Iran and North West India.