Major World Religions and Philosophies

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the origins, core beliefs, and historical spread of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Confucianism, and explain their role in shaping world history.

The Historical Study of Religion

This lesson studies religions as historical phenomena — how they emerged, spread, and shaped societies. This is different from a theological or devotional approach. We're asking: Where did this begin? Why did it spread? How did it shape politics, culture, and trade?

No evaluative judgment about which religion is "true" or "better" is implied.

Hinduism

Origins: No single founder; emerged from Vedic traditions of the Indian subcontinent (c. 1500 BCE).

Core concepts:

• Dharma: duty/righteousness according to one's role
• Karma: the accumulated effect of one's actions across lifetimes
• Samsara: the cycle of death and rebirth
• Moksha: liberation from the cycle of rebirth

Sacred texts: The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita.

Historical significance: provided the social and philosophical framework for Indian civilization; foundational to Indian caste system; influenced Buddhism and Jainism.

Buddhism

Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha, c. 563–483 BCE).

Core concepts:

• The Four Noble Truths: suffering exists; suffering arises from desire; suffering can end; there is a path to ending it
• The Eightfold Path: ethical guidelines for eliminating desire
• Nirvana: liberation from suffering

Spread: Ashoka's promotion (3rd century BCE) → spread throughout Asia via trade routes; Theravada in Southeast Asia; Mahayana in East Asia.

Judaism

Origins: c. 2000–1200 BCE (patriarchs); Exodus and covenant with God (c. 1200 BCE).

Core concepts:

• Monotheism: one God
• Covenant: a special relationship between God and the Jewish people
• Torah: the law and scripture