World Religions

World ReligionsThe Largest main World Religions in order are:Christianity: 2.1 billion followers

Judaism: 14 million followers

Hinduism: 900 million followersSikhism: 23 million followers

Islam: 1.3 billion followers

The Five Oldest main World Religions in order are:Hinduism - The oldest religion, it may date to prehistoric times.

Judaism - The Hebrew leader Abraham founded Judaism around 2000 B.C. Judaism is the oldest of the monotheistic faiths (religions with one god).

Buddhism - Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, called the Buddha, in the 4th or 5th century B.C. in India.

The Five Oldest main World Religions in order are: Cont.

Christianity - Founded by Jesus Christ, who was crucified around A.D. 30 in Jerusalem. It was after his death that his followers came to believe in him as the Christ, the Messiah.

Islam - Founded in Arabia by Muhammad between A.D. 610 and A.D. 632

Hinduism

The Goddess Shiva

Hinduism is the world‘s third most popular religion, with around 900 million followers. The religion of Hinduism originated in Northern India, near the river Indus, about 4000 years ago. Hindu is Indian for Indus.

It is the world's oldest existing religion.Hinduism is practiced by more than 80% of India‘s population.

Place of Origin India

Founder Hinduism has no founder. It developed out of Brahminism.

Sacred TextThe Vedas is most ancient sacred texts of the Hindu religion . Hinduism does not just have one sacred book, but several scriptures.

Sacred BuildingThe Hindu building for communal worship is called Mandir (Hindu Temple). The temples are dedicated to different gods and are the focus of religious life.

Major FestivalDivali is the Hindu festival of lights, which celebrates the New Year. It is India’s most important holiday.

Holy Place River Ganges is one of many holy places

Aum is the main symbol of Hinduism. It is the sound heard in deepest meditation and is said to be the name most suited for God.

Symbol

Hinduism has no founder, single teacher nor any prophets.Hinduism is not a Single Religion. Hinduism is the practicesof a variety of different religious groups which come out of India.

For many Hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. It's more what you do, than what you believe. Hindus believe ina universal soul or God called Brahman. Brahman takeson many forms that some Hindus worship as gods or goddessesin their own right. Hindus believe that there is a part of Brahman in everyone and this is called the Atman.

Hindus believe in reincarnation - a belief that the soul is eternal and lives many lifetimes, in one body after another.

Hindus believe that existence of this cycle is governed by Karma.

Sharashwati' - Hindu God of Education, Chitwan, Nepal