Download Buddhism, one of the world`s major religions, was founded by

Buddhism, one of the world’s major religions, was founded by
Siddartha Gautama (also known as Buddha) in the 6th century BC.
Unlike major world religions, Buddhist are non-theistic and do not
worship a godhead. Rather, worship is defined by practices that will
lead to Nirvana or a permanent state of enlightenment.
According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha lived and taught in the
Eastern part of the Indian subcontinent between 6th and 4th BC.
Buddhism is based on the principles of Four Noble Truths and Nirvana can be attained
by practising the Noble Eightfold Path. Today, many different Buddhist denominations
exist, with different forms of worship adapted by each denominations.
The foundations of Buddhist traditions and practices are the Three Jewels, a) the
Buddha, b) the Dharma (the teachings) and c) the Sangha (the community). Devotion is
an important part of practice of most Buddhists. Devotional practices include bowing,
offerings, pilgrimage and chanting.
When worshippers come to the temple to pay homage to the
Buddhas, many perform several Mahayana rituals like chant, pray,
Meditate and eat vegetarian meals.
Although worshipping in a temple is not essential for
worship, Buddhists do visit shrines and temples to pay
their respects to Buddha and to meditate with other
Buddhists. Going to a worship place is not essential
because Buddhism is a way of life, a way to act all of the
time.
Candi a Buddhist sanctuary in Indonesia, Chaitya, a Buddhist shrine,
Jingu-ji, a religious complex in Japan comprising of a temple and a shrine,
Vihara, a monastery in Bihar and Wat, a monastery temple in Combodia and
Thailand are famous.
In India, the most important places of
pilgrimage in Buddhism are located in the
Gangetic plains of Northern India and
Southern Nepal, in the areas between New
Delhi and Rajgir.
The four main pilgrim sites are:1.) Lumbini: Birthplace of Lord Buddha (in
Nepal)
2.) Bodh Gaya: The place of his enlightenment
( in the current Mahabodhi Temple)
3.) Sarnath: (formerly Isipathana) where he
Delivered his first teaching and
4.) Kusinara: (now Kushinagar) in Uttar
Pradesh where he died.
Christianity is an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life
and oral teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament.
Christianity began in the mid 1st century in the Middle East and quickly
spread to Europe, Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia and Egypt. Today, it is one of
the world’s biggest religion with
more than 2.1 billion followers.
Christianity originated with Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish prophet and teacher who came to believe he was the
Son of God and certainly was regarded as such by his disciples. Jesus preached in Israel during the time of
Augustus, urging a purification of the Jewish religion that would free Israel and establish the kingdom of God
on earth. He urged a moral code based on love, charity, humanity and asked the faithful to follow his lessons,
abandoning worldly concern.
Christianity believes that God is the creator, sustainer of all things seen and
unseen. Jesus was God in human form who showed God’s love for man by
teaching about the kingdom of God, suffering and dying for each on a cross and
by rising again to heaven.
Christianity believes in the existence of heaven and hell. Most
disciples believed that a final judgement day was near at hand, on
which day, those whose names are not written in God’s book of life
will be assigned to everlasting hell. The righteous were rewarded
with immortalityand have an eternal life with God .
The holy book of the Christians is the Bible which consists of
Christ’s teachings. Church is the place of worship.
Most Christians attend worship services at Church on Sundays
which include singing, praying and a sermon. Many Christians are
baptised
Either as an infant or when an adult and participate in communions.
Christians celebrate festivals which include Christmas, a holy festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ,
Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified and died for the people and Easter Sunday, when Christ was
resurrected and became one with the Lord Almighty.