Major World Religions Overview

Major World Religions

• Buddhism recognizes inherent suffering. Individuals react to suffering in habitual ways. The goal is enlightenment and easing suffering.
• Buddhist Practices: Mindfulness of breathing, cultivating loving-kindness (Metta Bhavana) and insight meditation (Vipassana) for understanding reality.
• Buddhist Teachings: The Buddha's guidance on the spiritual path (Dharma).
• Buddhist Celebrations: Parinirvana Day (February), Buddha Day (Wesak - May), and Dharma Day (July), Padmasambhava Day (October), and Sangha Day (November).

Christianity

• Core Beliefs: Christians believe in a Trinitarian God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for sins and was resurrected.
• Christian Practices: Baptism symbolizing spiritual rebirth and entry into the faith, and Communion to commemorate Jesus' sacrificial love.
• Christian Celebrations: Christmas and Resurrection Sunday (Easter).

Hinduism

• Core Beliefs: Hinduism encompasses various beliefs and practices without a single founder. It teaches reincarnation guided by Karma, with sacred texts like the Vedas and Mahabharata/Ramayana.
• Hindu Practices: Observing fasts (Vrata) as acts of devotion, and ceremonies (Samskaras) marking significant life stages. Spiritual discourse (Satsang)
  • Hindu Celebrations: Diwali and Navratri

Islam

• Core Beliefs: Muslims believe in Allah as the one true God and Muhammad as the final prophet. The Quran is the sacred text.
• Islamic Practices: Declaration of faith (Shahada), Five daily prayers (Salat), Charity to the poor (Zakat), Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), and Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm).
• Islamic Celebrations: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Judaism

• Core Beliefs: Jews believe in the God of Abraham, who liberated the Hebrew slaves and led them to the Promised Land. They anticipate the coming Messiah.
• Jewish Practices: Day of rest (Shabbat) from Friday evening to Saturday evening, Dietary laws (Kashrut), and Circumcision (Brit Milah) to mark the covenant with God.
• Jewish Celebrations: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach (Passover), Shavuot, and Sukkot.

Finding Meaning in Life

• Viktor Frankl: Proposed humans have an innate drive to seek meaning in life.
• Logotherapy: A form of psychotherapy focused on finding personal meaning, emphasizing:
  • Creating work or doing deeds -Experiencing something or encountering someone -Maintaining a positive attitude toward unavoidable suffering.
• Philosophical Emphasis: Encourages optimism, transforming suffering into achievement, and recognizing life's transitory nature.