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Hinduism
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism originated over 4000
Christianity was founded by Jesus
Islam began with the teachings of prophet
years ago in India. Hindus believe
Christ, a Jew (0-33CE) living in what is
Muhammad (570-632CE), an Arab leader
that we all have a soul that lives
now called Israel, and is based on the
who lived in Mecca and Medina. The
again and again trying to become
idea of loving God and one’s neighbour as
word Islam means submission, or the total
perfect (a state called Brahman),
much as oneself in order to go to Heaven.
surrender of oneself to one God who is
and that we can be reborn as
Jesus was executed by the Romans but
beyond understanding.
a person, an animal or a plant
his followers spread the word of his beliefs
(reincarnation). They believe that our present lives
around the world.
depend on how we have behaved in past lives (karma).
Muslims believe that the angel
Gabriel revealed God’s truth to
The main Christian holy books are the
Muhammad and his followers wrote it
four gospels (good news) of the New Testament of the
down in the Koran or Qur’an, comprising 114 chapters
(knowledge), containing mantras or repeated prayers
Bible. These mostly describe the last few years of the life of
(suras), containing 6,236 verses. The earlier suras, revealed
which may be chanted or written. As the religion is so
Jesus and were written by Mark, Luke, Matthew and John
at Mecca, cover ethical and spiritual topics. The later
old, many different schools of practice have developed
between 60-100CE.
suras, from Medina, discuss social and moral issues.
Hinduism has many holy books, called the Vedas
and some groups, like Buddhists and Sikhs, have become
new religions in themselves, no longer believing in the
authority of the Vedas.
Sacred texts
Islam has a second Holy Book, the Hadith or the Life
of Muhammad, which is used to seek examples when
judging people’s behaviour in Muslim courts.
by David Clayton
Buddhism
Sikhism
Judaism
Buddhism was founded
Sikhism was founded by
Judaism followers, called Jews,
by Siddhartha Gautama
Guru Nanak Dev (1469-
believe in a single, personal
(Buddha or ‘enlightened
1538CE). Born a Hindu, he
God who chose them to set an
one’), an Indian prince
noticed that religion led to
example of holiness and ethical
(563-483BCE) and is based
trouble between Hindus and
behaviour to the world. Their main
on the idea that we live
Muslims so he started his own
holy book is the Tanakh, formed
again and again until our
‘path to God’. He believed in
of three parts. The Torah (the Law)
behaviour reaches a state
karma and the transmigration
is the first five books of the Old
of perfection or nirvana
of souls, but not in Paradise
Testament (as Christians call it),
(endless happiness).
and Hell: he believed in living
containing 614 commandments. It
a balanced life to become one with God.
was thought to have been written
Buddhist holy books
are the Pali Canon in three
Guru means teacher. There were nine other teachers
by Moses but scholars now date
collections: two about
after Nanak Dev and their teachings, advising believers
it some 800 years later. The Nevi’im (the
living according to the teachings of the Buddha and
how to live, were written down in the Holy Book known as
Prophets) has four books about early
one, the Sutta Pitaka, containing more than 10,000 of
the Guru Granth Sahib – which became the tenth and
prophets and 15 about later prophets. The Ketuvim
his sayings and discussions.
final guru.
has 11 books of writings, starting with the Psalms.
POSTER 1
Ages 9 to 11 ◗ Issue 63 ◗ November 2009 ◗ © Scholastic Ltd 2009
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