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Religions
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Buddhism
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ReligionFacts
Comparison Charts
The Big Religion Chart
The Big Religion Chart: Compare World Religions

The ReligionFacts Big Religion Chart is an attempt to summarize a selection of

religions as concisely as possible for purposes of quick comparison. It is not
intended to be a substitute for advanced religious study and exploration. Our hope
is that this chart simply serves as a useful starting point to compare and understand
the world's religions. Currently, 45 religions and belief systems are compared in this
chart. Please note that, as throughout ReligionFacts, we have been quite inclusive.
Some groups listed here may not properly be called religions. Conversely, if a
group is not included in the Big Religion Chart, it doesn't mean it's not a religion or
doesn't matter - the chart is not comprehensive. Links in the chart lead to
ReligionFacts articles, where you can find more information and references for the
basic data compared here.
Origins

Aladura

Amish

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Founded
c.1918
among the
Yoruba
people of
West
1
Nigeria, as million
a reaction
against
established
Anglicanis
m.
Originated
in
Switzerlan
d with the
strict
teachings
of Jakob
Amman,
which led
to a split
from
Mennonite
s in 1693.

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Generally
Spiritual
monotheis
healing is
tic; a mix Strong
central. Mix
of
emphasis Not
of Anglican
Anglican, on healing emphasiz and African
none
Pentecost and
ed; views rituals; a
al and
salvation in vary.
prophet
traditional this life.
plays a
African
prominent
beliefs.
role.

290,10 (see
Emphasis (see
0 (Old Christianit on
Christiani
Order y)
humility,
ty)
Amish)
simplicity,
submission
to God, and
avoiding
vanity

Communion Christian
twice a
Bible
year; foot
washing;
separation
from the
world;
speak
German and
Pennsylvani
a Dutch; no
electricity;
plain

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

clothes like
17thcentury
European
peasants;
"Running
Around"
before
baptism at
age 17-20;
shunning

Asatru

Sacrifice of
Valhalla
food or
(heaven)
Eddas
drink, toast
for death
(Norse
Revival of
Polytheisti Salvation
to the gods,
in battle;
epics);
Norse and
c, Norse or
shamanism
Hel
the
Germanic
gods and redemption
(less
unknow
(peaceful
Havamal
paganism,
goddesses not
frequently),
n
place) for
(proverb
1970s
, Norse
emphasize
celebration
most;
s
Scandinavi
creation d. Fatalistic
of solstice
Hifhel
attribute
a and USA.
myths.
outlook.
holidays.
(hell) for
d to
Nine Noble
the very
Odin)
Virtues is
evil.
moral code.

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

none

Notable
atheist
works
include
those of
Epicurius
,
Bertrand
Russell,
Carl
Sagan,
Richard
Dawkins,
Christop
her
Hitchens.

atheism

1.1
billion There is
Appears
(includi no God,
throughout
ng
gods, or
history
agnosti divine
(including
c and being.
ancient
nonBeliefs
Greek
religiou about the not
philosophy
none
s,
universe addressed
), but
which and its
especially
tend to origins are
after the
be
based on
Enlightenm
groupe latest
ent (19th
d on
scientific
cent).
surveys findings.
)

Baha'i

Soul
Daily
The soul is separates prayer,
One God,
eternal and from the avoidance
who has
essentially body and of
Founded
revealed
good.
begins a intoxicants,
by
himself
Purpose of journey scripture
Bah'u'llh 5-7
progressiv
life is to
towards reading,
, 1863,
million ely
develop
or away hard work,
Tehran,
through
spiritually from God. education,
Iran.
major
and draw Heaven work for
world
closer to
and hell social
religions.
God.
are states justice and
of being. equality.
Origins

Bon

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Writings
of
Bah'u'll
h and
other
Bah'
leaders.

Texts

Indigenous 100,00 Nontheisti Purpose is Reincarna Meditation Bonpo

religion of 0
c
to gain
tion until on
canon
Tibet.
Buddhism, enlightenm gain
mandalas
but
ent.
enlighten and Tibetan
meditatio
ment.
deities,
n on
astrology,
peaceful
monastic
and
life.
wrathful

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

deities.
Purpose is
to avoid
Reincarna
Varies:
suffering tion
Based on
Theravadaand gain
(understo
Meditation,
teachings
atheistic; enlightenm od
mantras,
of
Mahayana ent and
differentl
devotion to
Siddharta
more
release
y than in
360
deities (in
Buddhism Gautama
polytheisti from cycle Hinduism,
million
some
(the
c. Buddha of rebirth, with no
sects),
Buddha) in
taught
or at least surviving
mandalas
c. 520 BC,
nothing is attain a
soul) until
(Tibetan)
NE India.
permanen better
gain
t.
rebirth by enlighten
gaining
ment
merit.

Cao Dai

Chopra
Center

Tripitaka
(Pali
Canon);
Mahayan
a sutras
like the
Lotus
Sutra;
others.

God
Reincarna
represent
tion. Bad
ed by
karma
Divine
Goal is
Hierarchy
can lead
Eye.
peace and
similar to
to rebirth
Founders harmony in
Roman
Founded in
on a
of
each
Catholicism.
1926,
darker
Buddhism, person and
Daily
Vietnam by
planet;
Taoism,
in the
prayer.
Ngo Van
4-6
good
Caodai
Hinduism, world.
Meditation.
Chieu and million
karma to
canon
Islam, and Salvation
Communica
others
better life
Christianit by
tion with
based on a
on earth.
y
"cultivating
spirit world
sance.
Eventual
venerated self and
(now
attainme
, and
finding God
outlawed in
nt of
saints
in self."
Vietnam).
nirvana
including
or
Victor
heaven.
Hugo.
Founded unknow monism by Deepak n
God or
Chopra in
Supreme
1991,
Reality
California
pervades

Humans
Reincarna Yoga,
Deepak
have
tion
meditation, Chopra's
limitless
massage, many
potential,
nutrition,
books,
but do not
mindfulness such as

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

recognize
this. Health
and
success
all things; can be had
all is unity by focusing
on whole
self (mind,
body,
spirit).

Practices

Texts

, detox
sessions,
positive
thinking.

the
Seven
Spiritual
Laws of
Success

Practices

Texts

Christadel
phian
Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Heaven is
"not a
Salvation is
locality,
"Life, Truth,
Spiritual
but a
One God. and Love
healing
divine
Christian
No Trinity understood
through
Founded
state of
Bible,
(in
and
prayer and
by Mary
150,00
Mind in
Science
traditional demonstrat
knowledge,
Christian Baker Eddy 0 which all
& Health
sense).
ed as
Sunday
Science
in 1879,
400,00
the
with Key
Matter
supreme
services,
Massachus 0
manifesta
to the
and evil over all;
daily Bible
etts.
tions of
Scripture
do not
sin,
and Science
Mind are
s
exist.
sickness
& Health
harmonio
and death
reading.
us and
destroyed."
immortal.
"
Christianit Based on 2 billionHoly
All have
Eternal Prayer,
Bible
y
life and
Trinity = sinned and heaven orBible study, (Hebrew
teachings
God the are thereby hell (or
baptism,
Bible +
of Jesus of
Father + separated temporar Eucharist
New
Nazareth,
God the from God. y
(Communio Testame
c. 30 CE,
Son +
Salvation is purgatory n), church nt)
Roman
God the through
).
on Sundays,
province of
Holy Spirit faith in
numerous
Palestine.
Christ and,
holidays.

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

for some,
sacraments
and good
works.

atheistic;
Anton
neither
man is just
LaVey in
God nor
another
San
Satan
Church of
unknow
animal;
Francisco,
exists;
none
Satan
n
pursue
California
"Satan" is
gratificatio
on April
not a
n
30, 1966
being but
a concept

church
membershi
p of various
degrees;
priesthood;
no killling The
animals
Satanic
except for Bible
defense or
food;
kindness to
those who
deserve it

Based on
Purpose of
teachings
life is to
of
fulfill one's
Confucius
role in
Not
Confuciani
5-6
Not
(K'ung-fusociety
addresse
sm
million addressed
tzu) in
with
d
China, 5th
propriety,
century
honor, and
BCE
loyalty.

Honesty,
politeness,
propriety,
humanenes
s, perform
Analects
correct role
in society,
loyalty to
family,
nation

One
Especially
Creator
popularize
God who
d in the
is
18th-cent.
uninterest
Enlightenm
not
unknow ed in the not
ent under
addresse
n
world.
addressed
Kant,
d
Reason is
Voltaire,
basis for
Paine,
all
Jefferson,
knowledg
and others
e.

Thomas
None
Paine's
prescribed, The Age
although
of
some deists Reason
practice
and
prayer.
similar
texts

Deism

Druze

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Live a good
Modest
life for a
Reincarna
Universal
lifestyles,
favorable tion.
Intelligenc
fasting
reincarnati Heaven is
e (al-Aql
before Eid
Al-Darazi
on. Await a spiritual
Al-Naqd
al-Kulli) or
al-Adha.
in 11th
the reexistence
al-Khafi
Divine
Beliefs and
century,
appearanc when one
(Copy of
Essence
practices
Cairo,
e of alhas
the
(akin to
are hidden
Egypt.
500,00
Hakim (a escaped
Secret);
Neoplaton
for
Roots in
0
Fatimid
reincarna
Al-Juz'alism), of
protection
the
caliph who tion. Hell
Awwal
which alfrom
Isma'iliyya
disappeare is
(Essence
Hakim is
persecution.
sect of
d in 1021), distance
of the
believed
Special
Shia Islam.
who will
from God
First)
to be an
group of
usher in a in lifetime
incarnatio
initiates
Golden Age after
n.
called
for true
lifetime.
uqqal.
believers.

Reincarna
"Each of us
Spiritual
tion. The
is Soul, a
Exercises of
Soul is
spark of
ECK:
eternal
Founded
God sent to
mantras,
by nature
by John
The Divinethis world
meditation,
50and on a
Paul
Spirit,
to gain
and
Eckankar
500,00
spiritual
Twitchell in
called
spiritual
dreams.
0
journey.
1965, Las
"ECK."
experience.
These
Liberation
Vegas.
" Salvation
enable Soul
possible
is liberation
travel and
in a
and Godspiritual
single
realization.
growth.
lifetime.
Epicureani Based on unknow A deistic
sm
teachings n
sort of

ShariyatKiSugmad
and
books by
Harold
Klemp.

Materialism None. No Pursue the Letters

:
afterlife. highest
and

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts
polytheis
m: the
gods
exist, but
take no
notice of
humans.

of Epicurus
(c.300
BCE),
Athens.

Falun
Gong

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

everything
is made of
atoms,
including
gods and
the soul.

pleasures
(friendship
and
tranquility)
and avoid
pain.

Principal
Doctrines
of
Epicurus

The Falun
(wheel) is
an energy
source
located in
Countless
Founded
the navel.
gods and
by Li
Goal is
Not
10
spiritual
Hongzhi in
spritual
addresse
million beings.
1992 in
transcende d
Demonic
China.
nce,
aliens.
achieved
by
practicing
Falun
Gong.

The
Humans
supreme can return
Various
ancient
God is
to the
teachers form
unknowab spiritual
including extinct;
Gnosticis
le; the
world
Valentinus, small
m
creator
through
1st-2nd
modern
god is evil secret
centuries revival
and
knowledge
CE.
groups
matter is of the
evil.
universe.
Origins
GrecoRoman
Religion

The soul
dissolves
when the
body
dies.

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Variety of ancient
religions of form
ancient
extinct
Greeks.

Olympic
pantheon
(Zeus,
etc.)

Five
exercises to
strengthen
the Falun.
Cultivation Zhuan
of
Falun
truthfulness and
,
other
benevolenc writings
e and
by
forbearance Master Li
. Meat
eating
discouraged
.

Gnostic
scripture
s
Return to
including
the
Asceticism, various
spiritual celibacy
Gospels
world.
and Acts
attribute
d to
apostles.

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Human life
is subject
to the
whim of

Animal
sacrifice,
harvest
offerings,

Epic
poems of
Homer
and

Beliefs
varied
from no
afterlife

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

mixed
with
eastern
deities
like Isis
and
Cybele

Hare
Krishna

Bhaktiveda
nta Swami
Prabhupad
a, 1966,
USA (with 250,00
roots in
0-1
15thmillion
century
Hindu
movement
)

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

to
festivals,
shadowy
the gods
games,
existence
and to
processions,
in the
Fate; these
dance,
underworl
can be
plays, in
d to a
controlled
honor of the Hesiod.
paradisethrough
gods. Secret
like
sacrifice
initiations
afterlife
and
and rituals
(mainly in
divination.
in mystery
mystery
religions.
religions).

Salvation
from this
Chanting,
Age of Kali
dancing,
is by a
Reincarna
Krishna is
evangelism, The
return to
tion until
the
vegetarianis Bhagava
Godhead, unite with
Supreme
m, temple d-Gita As
accomplish the
God.
worship,
It Is
ed through Godhead.
monasticKrishnastyle living
Consciousn
ess.

Humans
Yoga,
are in
meditation,
bondage to
worship
ignorance
(puja),
One
and
The
devotion to
Indigenous
Supreme illusion, but
Vedas,
Reincarna a god or
religion of
Reality
are able to
Upanisha
tion until goddess,
India as
900
(Brahman)escape.
ds,
Hinduism
gain
pilgrimage
developed million manifeste Purpose is
Bhagava
enlighten to holy
to present
d in many to gain
d Gita,
ment.
cities, live
day.
gods and release
Ramayan
according to
goddesses from
a, etc.
one's
rebirth, or
dharma
at least a
(purpose/
better
role).
rebirth.
Islam

Based on

1.3

One God Humans

ResurrectiFive Pillars: Qur'an

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

teachings
of the
Prophet
Muhamma
d; founded billion
622 CE in
Mecca,
Saudi
Arabia.

Jainism

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Faith,
Prayer,
Alms,
Pilgrimage,
(Allah in
Fasting.
Arabic);
Mosque
must
the same
on of
services on
submit
God
body and Fridays.
(islam) to
revealed
soul
Ablutions
the will of
(imperfect
followed before
God to gain
ly) in the
by
prayer. No
Paradise
Jewish
Paradise alcohol or
after
and
or Hell
pork.
death.
Christian
Holidays
Bibles
related to
the
pilgrimage
and fast of
Ramadan.

The
universe
is eternal;
many
gods
Founded
exist.
by
Gods,
Mahavira, 4
humans
c. 550 BCE,million
and all
eastern
living
India
things are
classified
in a
complex
hierarchy.

Texts

(Scriptur
e);
Hadith
(tradition
)

The soul is
uncreated
Monasticism
and eternal
under the
and can
Five Great
attain
Vows (Nonperfect
Violence,
divinity.
Truth,
The
Purpose is
Celibacy,
teaching
to gain
Reincarna
Nons of
liberation tion until
Stealing,
Mahavira
from cycle liberation
Nonin
of rebirth, is
Possessiven various
by avoiding attained
ess);
collectio
all bad
worship at ns.
karma,
temples and
especially
at home.
by causing
Meditation
no harm to
and
any
mantras.
sentient
being.

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

No blood
Heaven
transfusions
for
, no
144,000
celebration
One God: Salvation is chosen
of holidays,
Jehovah. through
Witnesse
no use of
Founded
No Trinity. faith in
s,
New
crosses or
by Charles
Christ is Christ and eternity
World
religious
Jehovah's Taze
6.5
the first obeying
on new
Translati
images.
Witnesses Russell,
million creation Jehovah's earth for
on of the
Baptism,
1879,
of God;
laws. The other
Scripture
Sunday
Pittsburgh
the Holy End of the Witnesse
s
service at
Spirit is a World is
s. All
Kingdom
force.
soon.
others
Hall, strong
annihilate
emphasis
d. No
on
hell.
evangelism.

Judaism

Not
historicall Circumcisio
y
n at birth,
The
emphasiz bar/bat
religion of
ed.
mitzvah at
the
Obey God's
Beliefs
adulthood.
Hebrews
command
vary from Synagogue
(c. 1300
ments, live
no
services on
BC),
One God: ethically.
14
afterlife Saturdays.
especially
Yahweh
Focus is
million
to
No pork or
after the
(YHVH)
more on
shadowy other nondestruction
this life
existence kosher
of the
than the
to the
foods.
Second
next.
World to Holidays
Temple in
Come
related to
70 AD.
(similar historical
to
events.
heaven).

Mayan
Religion

3rd
At one Many
century CE time up gods,

Appease
and

Hebrew
Bible
(Tanakh);
Talmud

The soul Astronomy, Dresden

journeys divination, Codex;

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

to 2
million.
Today,
several
million
Maya
practic
(rise of the e a
including
Mayan
Roman
Itzamn,
civilization) Catholi
Kukulcn,
;
cism
Bolon
influenced that
Tzacab,
by Olmec retains
and Chac
religion
many
elemen
ts of
traditio
nal
Mayan
religion
.
Mormonis Founded 12.2
m
by Joseph million
Smith,
1830, New
York.

God the
Father,
the Son
Jesus
Christ,
and the
Holy
Ghost are
three
separate
individual
beings

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

through
dark and
threateni
ng
human
nourish the underworlsacrifice,
gods;
d; but
elaborate
determine sacrificial burial for
luckiest
victims royalty,
dates for and
worship in
various
women stone
activities. who die pyramidin
temples
childbirth
go to
heaven.

Texts

Madrid
Codex;
Paris
codex;
Books of
Chilam
Balam;
Popol
Vuh; The
Ritual of
the
Bacabs

Humans
All return Abstinence Christian
existed as to spirit from
Bible,
spirits
world for alcohol,
Book of
before this period of tobacco,
Mormon,
life,
instructio coffee and Doctrine
salvation is n before tea;
and
returning resurrecti baptism for Covenant
to God.
on.
the dead; s, and
Salvation Mormons eternal
Pearl of
by faith in to heavenmarriage; Great
Christ,
with God temple
Price
good
and
garments
works,
families; under daily
ordinances, others
clothes;
and
rewarded active
evangelism but not evangelism.
.
with God;
hell for
those

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

who
reject
God after
death.
"One God
whose
Prayer five
Qur'an
proper
times a day.
and
name is
Work for the
"Scriptur
Allah."
equality of
es of all
Wallace
the African
the
Fard
race.
Prophets
Muhamma
Mental
Respect
"The
of God"
Estimat d became
resurrecti laws of the
Founded
Blackman
are holy
es
the divine
on of the land, don't
by Wallace
is the
texts.
range messiah
righteous carry arms,
Fard
original
Influentia
Nation of
from
and
. Black
don't make
Muhamma
man." Live
l writings
Islam
10,000 incarnatio
people
war. Healthy
d, 1930,
righteously
include
to
n of Allah
will be
living and
Detroit,
and
Elijah
100,00 in 1930.
mentally abstinence
USA.
worship
Muhamm
0
The Earth
resurrect from
Allah.
ad's
is over 76
ed first. alcohol,
Message
trillion
smoking
to the
years old
and
Blackma
and all
substance
n in
land was
abuse.
America
once
Modest
(1965)
called
dress.
"Asia."

Origins
Neoplatoni Philosophy
sm
based on
the
teachings
of Plotinus,

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Porphyry,
Iamblichus,
and others.
Flourished
200s to
500s CE in
western
Europe;
influential
on
Christian
and Jewish
theology.

New Age

Dawning of
a New Age
of
heightened
consciousn
Astrology;
ess and
mysticism;
Helena
internation
use of
Petrovna
al peace.
crystals;
Blavatsky
Individuals
yoga; tarot
and Annie
The Divinecan obtain
readings;
Besant in
is an
a foretaste
holistic
Works of
Reincarna
the 19th C,
impersona of the New
medicine; a variety
5
tion
Alice A.
l life force Age
psychic
of New
million
based on
Bailey
that
through
abilities;
Age
karma
(1880pervades spiritual
angelic
writers
1949),
all things transforma
communicat
flourished
tion
ions;
in 1970s
("Ascensio
channeling;
and 80s
n"). More
amulets;
emphasis
fortuneon the
telling
latter now.
Evil comes
from
ignorance.

New
Thought

Founded 160,00 Generally Man is

by Phineas 0
monism divine,

"Life is
Emphasis Writings
eternal in on spiritual of

Origins

Parkhurst
Quimby
(1802-66)
and others,
late 19th
century,
USA.

Olmec
Religion

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

essentially
spirit, and
has infinite
(all is
possibility.
One), but
Mind can
members
control the
might be
body. Sin
theists,
and
pantheists
sickness
the
or
caused by invisible
panenthei
incorrect kingdom
sts. God is
thinking. of God."
immanent
Man can
; the
live in
universe
oneness
is
with God in
essentially
love, truth,
spiritual.
peace,
health, and
prosperity.

Mostly
unknown
due to
lack of
Mesoameri
written
ca (modern
records.
Veracruz
unknown,
Many
and
but art
gods
Tabasco,
indicates
mostly represent
Mexico), c.
importance unknown
extinct ed in art,
1200-400
of fertility
including
BCE.
(rain, corn,
the Olmec
Forerunner
etc.)
Dragon,
of Aztecs
Maize
and Maya.
Deity, Bird
Monster,
and WereJaguar.

Rastafaria Founded 1
God is Jah, Humans
nism
by Marcus million who
are

Some
Rastas

Practices

Texts

and mental
healing, but
without
Quimby
rejection of
(such as
modern
the The
medicine.
Quimby
Worship
Manuscri
services;
pts) and
prayer for
other
the sick;
New
discussion
Thought
of New
authors
Thought
authors and
ideas.

sacrifices,
large
sculptures
of human
heads, cave none
rituals,
pilgrimages,
ball-courts,
pyramids

Many
practices

Holy Piby
(the

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

became
incarnate
in Jesus
(who was
black);
Ethiopian
Emperor
Haile
Selassie I
was
messiah.

Garvey in
the slums
of Jamaica
in the
1920s and
30s

Origins

Founded
by L. Ron
Scientolog
Hubbard,
y
1954,
California

SeventhDay
Adventist
Church

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

based on
Jewish
will
biblical Law.
temples of
experienc Abstinence
Jah.
"Blackma
e
from most
Salvation is
n's
"everlivin or all meat,
primarily in
Bible").
g"
artificial
this world
The
(physical foods, and
and
Ethiopian
immortali alcohol. Use
consists of
epic
ty).
of
liberation
Kebra
Heaven is marijuana
from
Negast
a return in religious
oppression
also
to Eden, rituals and
and return
revered.
which is for
to Africa.
in Africa. medicine.
Wearing of
dreadlocks.
Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Human
consists of
Auditing,
body, mind
70,000
progressing
God(s) not and thetan;
or
up various
specified; capable of
several
levels until
reality
great
million,
Reincarna "clear".
explained things.
depend
tion
Focus on
in the
Gain
ing on
education
Eight
spiritual
the
and drug
Dynamics freedom by
source
recovery
ridding
programs.
mind of
engrams.

Rooted in 25
the
million
Millerite
Movement
of the
1830s;
based on
teachings

Texts

(same as Live in
The dead 24-hour
Christianit accordance are in
Sabbath
y); Ellen with the
unconscio observance
G. White Bible,
us sleep starting
considere including until the Friday at
da
the Old
Resurrectisunset;
prophet Testament. on, when adult
The Secondbelievers baptism by

Texts

Writings
of
Hubbard,
such as
Dianetics
and
Scientolo
gy

Christian
Bible;
writings
of Ellen
G. White
as
helpful
supplem

Origins

Shinto

Sikhism

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

of Ellen G.
White;
founded in
Battle
Creek,
Michigan in
1863.

will enter
heaven immersion;
Coming will and the church
happen
wicked
services
ent
soon.
will be
emphasizin
destroyed g sermon
. No hell.

kami:
indigenous
3-4
ancient
religion of
million gods or
Japan
spirits

Humans
are pure by
Death is
nature and
bad and
can keep
impure.
away evil
Some
through
humans
purification
become
rituals and
kami
attain good
after
things by
death.
calling on
the kami.

Founded
by Guru
Nanak, c.
1500,
Punjab,
India.

Spiritualis c.1850,
m
USA, UK,
France

Kojiki
Worship and (Records
offerings to of
kami at
Ancient
shrines and Matters);
at home.
Nihon-gi
Purification (Chronicl
rituals.
es of
Japan)

Overcome
the self,
align life
with will of
23
one God: God, and
million Ik Onkar become a
"saint
soldier,"
fighting for
good.

Prayer and
meditation
on God's
name,
services at
Reincarna temple
tion until (gurdwara),
resolve turban and
karma
five Ks.
and
Balance
merge
work,
with God. worship,
and charity.
No
monasticis
m or
asceticism.

Adi
Granth
(Sri Guru
Granth
Sahib)

11
Generally Body and
million based in a spirit are
Christian separate

A spiritualSunday
existence services.
with
Seances

No
authorita
tive

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

access to
texts.
the living.
Doctrine
entities.
and other
worldview.
Condition
learned
Morality
communicat
Main
depends
from
and
ion with
focus is
on
spirit
contact
departed
spirits of
morality
guides
with spirits
spirits.
deceased
of life and
(advance
affect
Spirit
humans.
advance
d
afterlife.
healing.
ment is
departed
possible.
spirits).
Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Stoicism

Possible Ethical and

Based on
Purpose of continued philosophic
teachings
Pantheism life is
existence al training,
of Zeno in
: the logos happiness, of the
selfunknow
4th
pervades which is
Soul, but reflection,
n
century
the
achieved not a
careful
BCE
universe. by living
personal judgment
Athens
reasonably. existence and inner
.
calm.

Taoism

General
attitude of
20
Purpose is Revert
detachment
million Pantheism inner
back to
and nonbased on (394
- the Tao harmony, state of
struggle,
the
million pervades peace, and nonTao Te
"go with the
teachings of
all. Yinlongevity. being,
Ching,
flow" of the
of Lao-Tzu, Chineseyang Acheived which is
ChuangTao. Tai-chi,
c. 550 BCE,religion opposites by living in simply
Tzu
acupunctur
China
in
make up a accordance the other
e, and
general unity.
with the
side of
alchemy to
)
Tao.
being.
help
longevity.

Unification founded by Over 1

Church
Sun Myung million
Moon,
(3
1954,
million
South
acc. to

Monotheis Purpose is
m, with
true love
the
and world
duality of peace
God (esp. instead of

Eternal
life in a
spirit
world.

Blessing
Ceremony

writings
of Zeno,
Seneca,
Epictetus
, Marcus
Aurelius

The
Divine
Principle
(1954)
by Rev.

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Korea

selfish
love. True
love and
masculine the
and
kingdom of
official
feminine) God on
sources
emphasiz earth will
)
ed. No
be restored
Trinity.
by the
creation of
"true
families."

Result of
merger of
two liberal
Christian
denominati
ons in
1961:
Unitarian
Unitarians 800,00
Universali
(who reject 0
sm
Trinity) and
Universalis
ts (who
reject hell).
No longer
exclusively
Christian.

Wicca

Based on 1-3
ancient
million
pagan
beliefs, but

Not
specified.
Members
might
believe in
one God,
many
gods, or
no God.

Human Life Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Moon.

Ceremonies
for
marriages,
Not
funerals,
specified. etc. Church
Many
Some
services
Salvation is
sacred
believe in have
"spiritual
texts are
an
elements
health or
revered
afterlife, from
wholeness.
by
some do various
" Members
various
not. Very religions.
seek "inner
members
few
Emphasis
and outer
; some
believe in on civil
peace,"
none at
hell rights,
insight,
all. The
"Universa social
health,
Bible is
lism"
justice,
compassio
the most
indicates equality and
n and
commonl
the belief environmen
strength.
y used
that all
t. Most UUs
text.
will be
are antisaved.
death
penalty and
pro-gay
rights.

Polytheis "If it harms

m,
none, do
centered what you
on the

Reincarna Prayer,
tion until casting a
reach the circle,
Summerl Drawing

No
sacred
text;
foundatio

Origins

Adhere
God(s)
nts

modern
form
founded
early
1900s.
Founder
generally
said to be
Gerald
Gardner.

Origins

Goddess
and God,
each in
various
forms;
will."
also a
belief in a
Supreme
Being
over all

Adhere
God(s)
nts

Based on
teachings
of
Zoroaster
in 6th cent.
BCE Persia.
200,00
Official
Zoroastria
0,
religion of
nism
mostly
ancient
in India
Persia. May
have
influenced
Judaism
and Vedic
religion.

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Human Life Afterlife

and.

Human Life Afterlife

One God,
Ahura
Mazda,
but a
Humans
dualistic are free to
worldview do good or
in which evil, must
an evil
choose the
spirit,
side of
Angra
good.
Mainyu, is
almost as
powerful.

Practices

Texts

Down the
Moon,
reciting
spells,
dancing,
singing,
sharing
cakes and
wine or
beer

nal texts
include
The
Witch
Cult in
Western
Europe
and The
God of
the
Witches

Practices

Texts

Judgment
followed
by
heaven or
hell. Hell
Good
is
deeds,
temporar
Zend
charity,
y until
Avesta
equality,
final
hard work.
purgation
and
return to
Ahura
Mazda.

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GURU JI

If you are happy you want to spread happiness. If you are agitated you want to be
violent. If you are angry then you want to express that. If you are jealous you want to
express that, and if you are happy and in love, you want to spread that.
When do you get aggressive? When you feel that the situation, person, people are
beyond your control, or you feel that it is not possible. Or when you feel that you are
smaller than the situation, then you become aggressive.
Q: Could you speak about how reality seems so real yet it is unreal?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Best example is your own dreams. When you are dreaming, it
looks so real but when you wake up it is unreal. Thats it. So easy!
Q:
What
is
the
purpose
of
Sadhana
(spiritual
practices)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: To be yourself!
When you are helping somebody, you dont see them as something outside. See
them as a part of you and so you help them. Thats a classic form of service. You are
not doing service because they are separate, or they are suffering. You are doing
because you cant but do it because they are part of you.

 When you have a big goal in your life, small desires will not trouble you. If thoughts of
greed or possessing more and more bother you, be greedy for the highest. And what
is the highest? The divine.
Q: Why do people not know that the peace is within them?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you are stressed and distressed, you only create
disturbance around you. Whether it is because of language, religion, or whatever
excuse you take to express your frustration.
Q:
Does
the
souls
get
recycles
or
new
ones
also
form?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: There is nothing new here. Everything gets recycled.
When you are part of the master, you have every right to be happy. You have every
right to Knowledge, happiness and the whole Universe.
A sign of success is confidence. Even if you lose everything, if you have confidence,
then you can recreate everything again, and that is success.
There is a saying in Sanskrit, Durjanam Prathamam Vande Sujanam Tadanantaram.
Worship the bad person also. The bad people are ruining themselves so convey your
gratitude to them - since at their cost, while falling in a pit and getting ruined - they
are teaching you a lesson.
Take responsibility to uplift the people around you. That is Satsang, not just singing
and leaving. The wise person is like the sky where all birds can fly.
Q:
Can
you
talk
about
karma.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: 'Gahana Karmano Gatih' Certain karma can be avoided,
certain cant. If it rains, its rains. But to get wet or not is your choice. If you have an
umbrella, you can use it or you will not.
This entire universe is nothing but vibrations. It is all made up of waves,
vibrations, and energy. When your vibrations do not match with the
vibrations of others you call it negative, and when your vibrations match
with other vibrations, it is harmonious and you call it bliss.
If thoughts are coming during meditation, never mind, you know. When you realize,
you again come back, observe the breath and just sit, thats it. Some irrelevant,
absurd thoughts come and go, its all part of stress release, hmm? You may get some
brilliant thoughts or some very bad thoughts, dont judge at that time, we dont need
to get excited, just relax.
Q: What is the difference between the mind and the soul?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Mind is thoughts and soul is in which everything happens.
Why should anyone doubt anybody, whether they are true or false? In my eyes,
everybody is good, and if they do something wrong, they are definitely going to go
down, but they will come back up again. It's very simple mathematics.
Saying, "My suffering is due to that person", will continue the karma
because that impression will be there in your mind. Why are you not
looking inside? Why are you not moving on? Why are you holding onto an
event of the past and blaming the other person for your karma? If you do
this then you will continue to be miserable.

 Q:

How

can

one

attain

happiness?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Happiness is not a commodity that you can buy
somewhere. It is present where you are, right here and right now. And the
way to find that happiness is meditation.
If you are suffering, it's not because of somebody, it's because of you only.
You better suffer and get rid of it. Instead of that, if you say, "That person
is responsible for my suffering", then you are making more karma and
carrying it on to the next lifetime. But if you say, "My suffering is because
of me, and I take ownership of the karma", then you become free.
Q: What is the sign of being in Brahmagyana (self-knowledge or the
knowledge
of
the
absolute)?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When you neither ask for, nor give any explanations,
and when you do not complain about anything, then that is a sign of being
in knowledge.
When you get hurt, it's your karma. You must have hurt somebody sometime and so
you got it back now. Nothing happens without a reason. This is the highest
knowledge.

An intellect free from prejudice is one which is really intelligent. If you have prejudice
it means your intelligence is covered. You may have it but youre not using it.

Clarity in the mind and purity in the heart are the signs of happiness. Having these
will uplift your spirit, and it has not left anyone untouched.
If everything goes well and you keep a smile, what is so great about that. Any fool
can do that. If you are a wise person you should be able to smile even when things
are not okay.

When you have a goal in life, when you are here to contribute towards something
positive in the world, then you will not be bogged down by your needs and cravings.
Q:
What
should
we
do
when
people
talk
negatively?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: From your side, give license to every body to talk about any
thing, about any body, any where, at any time.
When you do something without being in a hurry, with honor and respect, then that
action becomes stronger and you become stronger.
Our duty is to find true, long-lasting happiness and an unshakable smile, and that is
called spirituality, and the means is through meditation.
When we focus on negativity, we harbor it in our mind and get rattled. I would like
you to look at it from another angle: there are negative forces, but they are there to
unite the good people together.
When you are in a 'lack' consciousness, I tell you, that seed that you have sown will
increase the lack and reduce abundance. Abundance first starts as a seed within you,
so feel abundant. When the seed of abundance is within you, magic happens!
When we feel abundant within, it brings out a positive attitude, energy and
enthusiasm, and you are able to get more.

 You cannot separate love and faith. You cant say, "I have faith in you but I
dont love you", and you also cant say, "I love you but I dont have faith in
you". Love and faith are two sides of the same coin.
We doubt anything that is positive and thats why we doubt the existence of a power
called God.
There is air everywhere, but you are able to feel the intensity of it when
you sit next to a fan. Similarly, to feel the presence of God you need
meditation, satsang and a Master.
When we relate from the level of vibrations, that is Aatmasamvadan - soul to soul
communication, and only in this level of communication real knowledge dawns.
Our subtle body is bigger than the gross body, and when the subtle body shrinks,
that is when you feel depressed. When it shrinks a little you feel sad, when it shrinks
more you feel depressed, and when it becomes smaller than the physical body, then
suicidal tendencies come.
Do you need a candle to look at a candle? The candle itself shows itself. Similarly, you
are love. You dont need to sit and say. "I love myself".
Q: Why is it so difficult for people to understand each other?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Because they don't understand themselves first. You
do not understand your own mind and try to understand other's. It becomes
very difficult.
What throws you off your balance is your ego. Ego is the reason many things are
broken and many things are made. If you pump someone's ego, they can do some
good work, and if you smash someone's ego they can break other things also. Ego
can create havoc.
Q: I want to understand the mystery of God. Please help me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you understand, it is no longer a mystery, and God loves to
be mysterious and mischievous also. You can experience mystery but you cannot
understand mystery. You can live life of God, which is a mystery.
Any seva is good, you dont have to feel guilty. If you cannot financially do seva, or
physically do seva, even just sending your blessings is good enough. Just through
thought waves also you can send good vibrations. That also is seva.
Dont make God an object of knowing because the knower himself is the divinity, and
the knower is inside of you; it is inside of everyone.

Stephen Hawking/Quotes
Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.
Life would be tragic if it weren't funny.
We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average
star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very
special.
Not only does God play dice, but... he sometimes throws them where they
cannot be seen.
My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is
and why it exists at all.

 Im not afraid of death, but Im in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do

first.
To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.
I have no idea. People who boast about their IQ are losers.
Women. They are a complete mystery.
It is not clear that intelligence has any long-term survival value.

POINTS
1-IN every injection FCV op