Compare and Contrast Buddhism Hinduism Christianity and Judaism

Compare and Contrast Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Judaism

Buddhism • Buddhism remained an oral tradition for over 200 years • Buddhism spread slowly in India until the powerful Mauryan emperor Asoka converted to it and actively supported it. • Siddhartha Gautama (the Enlightened One) was born about 563 BCE, in which he gave up his royalty life as a prince to give higher meaning to life. • Buddhism centered on the individual, and it did not reject the existence of gods, but denied their usefulness in enlightenment. • Practices of Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism embraced the popular new form of the religion while practitioners of Theravada Buddhism followed most of the teachings of the founder.

Hinduism • The word, Hinduism, comes from the word, Indus, which is the name of an Indian River that existed about 5000 years ago. • Portions of the Hindu beliefs have found their way into other countries, and are the foundation of other religions such as Buddhism. • Hinduism means “what the Indians do” from the Islamic invaders who reached India in eleventh century CE. • Hinduism was influenced by the Vedic religion and transformed by fourth century CE. • A common form of worship is puja, service the deity, in form of baths, clothing, etc. • Moksha is liberation and to be disconnected from the present state of the world after fulfilling his duties.

Christianity • Jesus Christ, a carpenter from the Galilean region of Israel said to be the son of God and to bring teachings about his fathers kingdom. • Paul, often called fisherman, spread Catholicism in Rome and Europe. Peter was the first Pope and was one of Jesus Christ's disciples, and was crucified for his actions. • In 380 CE it was proclaimed that Christianity was the official religion. • Christianity is monotheistic, which means followers believe in only one God. This followed from the Hebrew Bible and the belief of the “Messiah. ” • In third century, the Emperor Constantine stopped the harassment and encouraged the growth of Christianity. People began to convert when they saw that Christians seeking political office or favors from the government had clear advantages over non-Christians

Judaism • The Hebrew language of the Bible reflects the speech of the Israelites until about 500 BCE. It is a Semitic language. • Its foundation lies in the original covenant made between Abraham and God, circa 1900 BCE, when Abraham was called to leave his home in Ur and travel to Cannan (later known as Palestine and Israel), a land which God promised to give to his descendants. • Yahweh gave the Jewish people the 10 Commandants and other rules to live by marking the beginning of Judaism as a structured religion. • Powerful kings headed Judaic civilizations • Saul, David and Solomon, who built the first great temple in Jerusalem.

Similarities • All four religions had teachings or traditions to follow. • Christianity's roots came from the Judaic faith, meanwhile Buddhism's roots came from Hinduism. • Jesus Christ, Yahweh, Buddha and Indian deities shows a spiritual belief in higher beings. • Hinduism and Buddhism share the common usage of the number four in the ideal life cycles or “Four Noble Truths”. • Judaism and Christianity are monotheistic, meaning they believe in only one God.

Questions 1. What is another name for Buddha? A. The Great One B. The Messiah C. The Enlightened One D. The Moksha E. The Puja

Question 2: • What religion influenced Hinduism? A. Christianity B. Vedic C. Buddhism D. Islam E. Monsoon

Question 3: • Christianity expanded mainly because of. . . ? A. Christians wanting favors from government had advantages. B. Paul, one of the disciples and his teachings in Rome. C. Peter the first Pope being crucified inspired others. D. Everyone believed Jesus was the real messiah. E. The Roman Empire continued to dominate the region for hundreds of years to influence other places.

Question 4: Ganna (land God promised descendants in the covenant) is present-day where? A. Jerusalem and Iran B. Palestine and Israel C. Israel and Jerusalem D. Jordan and Egypt E. Syria and Lebanon

Bibliography • Books: Bulliet, Richard. The Earth and Its Peoples. Third Edition. New York City: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. • Websites: Wenner, Sara. “History of Christianity”. 2001 Boeree, Dr. C. George. “History of Buddhism”. Copyright 1999 Copyright © 2002 - 2009 All. About. Religion. org “History of Hinduism”