WORLD RELIGIONS

Strand: Christian Faith – Other Religious Traditions

Hinduism And Its Beliefs

Most Hindus worship Brahman, which means truth, which is represented by many gods and goddesses.

Hindus believe in reincarnation. This means that after we die we are reborn as someone or something else. If you were good in your past life then you will have a happy and lucky one in your next life, but if you were bad in your last life then you will suffer for it in your present existence. A Hindu's ultimate aim is to become free from the law of karma, that is, to be free from continuous reincarnations after death. For Hindus the cow is a sacred animal. Anyone who harms a cow will suffer forever as a result. Diwali (pronounced Duvali) is a Hindu festival of lights celebrated each year on the 19th October. People wish each other a Happy Diwali.

Buddhism And Its Beliefs

Buddhists do not worship any god. They also believe in reincarnation. Buddha was like a prophet for them. He reached the highest form of spiritual enlightenment and holiness through meditation.

Meditation is like prayer, it is a peaceful mindful reflection and awareness of one’s surroundings. Buddhists strive to be the same as Buddha, in order to break the endless cycle of rebirth so that the soul can be free. Buddhists follow a list of religious rules and meditation. When a Buddhist meditates it is not the same as praying or focusing on a god, it is more of a self-discipline. The head of the Buddhist religion is the Dalai Lama. It is the main religion of Tibet.

Islam And Its Beliefs

Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah. Everything that happens is Allah's will. He is merciful to people depending on their life and devotion to him. Allah is the same god that we know from the Old Testament.

Muslims believe in many prophets, but Muhammad is the most important to them. They believe that Jesus was a prophet that came before Muhammad. Muslims must pray in the Arabic language five times a day, give alms to the poor, fast for one month each year and go on pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. After death they hope to enter paradise and if not suffer in hell. Muslims follow the teachings of the Koran, which was given to them by the Prophet Muhammad. A Muslim place of worship is a Mosque. The Islamic symbol is the crescent moon and a star.

Some Ways In Which These Religions Differ

• Hindus acknowledge many gods and goddesses.

• Buddhists say there is no God.

• Muslims believe in a powerful but unknowable God.

• Christians believe in a God who is loving and forgiving.

• Jewish Torah rarely refers to anything like heaven or hell. They call God Yahweh.