Sanela Rujevic

Suzanne Jacobs
Comparison Paper
Hinduism
Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion in the world and very unique in its belief of many
deities. This is a religion that has also spread so widely which keeps it alive and thriving, a lot of
this through the spread of teachers of yoga and meditation. Hinduism has also been spread by
gurus who have exported its teachings. Many gurus have left India to spread teaching all around
the world, in a part it reminds me of the LDS community that serve missions to spread their
teachings all around the world. The need to influence others with one's religion is not new and is
practiced almost widely throughout many religions. Though I am not a very religious person I
find this tactic a little strange but also very interesting, it always fun to listen to people speak
about a thing they believe in so deeply.
In Hinduism I find it very interesting that there is no founder and the enormous amount of
deities they have.In many religions it is very common to believe in just one God and be very
devoted to this one God but I like the variety found in this religion.
Many religions also share the belief of a pilgrimage, in Hinduism they hold many places
sacred and even sacred rivers in India that are thought to be special opportunities for personal
purification and spiritual elevation. Sometimes these pilgrimages can be difficult and it is said
that 250 people were killed by freak storms and landslides in 1996 in the Himalayas of Kashmir
but in subsequent years tens of thousands of devotees have continued to undertake the
pilgrimages. (Fisher, pg. 107-108) Its incredible the risk people but themselves in so they can
be able to reach these holy places. Sometimes it makes you wonder if its really worth it.
Reincarnation, is what Hinduism is based on, the endless cycle of life and death. I
personally have always found the idea of reincarnation to be fascinating even though it is not an
idea that is shared in my own religion. The thought that the soul leaves the body and enters a
new one, this could even be in the form of an animal or some other life form. Birth as a human

being is a precious and rare opportunity for the soul to advance towards its ultimate goal of
liberation from rebirth and merging with the Absolute Reality. (Fisher, pg. 77)
Every religion is made up of many practices and rituals, this is what ultimately makes it
a religion and allows you to participate. There are sixteen rites prescribed in the ancient
scriptures to purify and sanctify the person in his or her journey. The goal is to continually
elevate the person above their basically animal nature. Puja worship can be practiced in a
temple or at home, home worship is also very widely seen in many different religions. Similar to
in the Islam religion, they worship many different times throughout the day and can be done in
the home.
Buddhism
Buddhism started in India also but in the northeastern part of India. The teaching is
based on Siddhartha Gautama, the buddha. There is no documentation about Buddha in any
way, and what we know about his is passed down in stories over time by his followers.
Buddhism is very interesting because there is no theology, no worship of a deity or deification of
the Buddha originally. This is unlike many religions and in a way I find it very peaceful in a
sense, I wear a bracelet with a Buddha on it because I feel it brings peace, even though this is
not my religion.
The founder was a prince who had it all but after seeing the things his father tried to hide
from him he renounced his wealth. He then embarked on a wandering life in pursuit of a very
difficult goal: finding the way to total liberation from suffering. (Fisher, pg.140) In order to
become a Buddhist, one must seek refuge in the Three Jewels: The Buddha, The Dharma and
the Sangha.
As in many religions, Buddhism has places that are seen as holy. These holy places
include Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha, Bodh Gaya, where he reached
enlightenment, the location of his discourse and Lhasa, where he died. Holy places vary from

religion to religion but almost every single religion has some places they see as highly spiritual
and hold sacred.
One very important teaching in Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths. First, life inevitably,
involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and distress. Second, suffering is caused by craving, rooted
in ignorance. Third, suffering will cease when craving ceases. And forth, there is a way to realize
this state: the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is another teaching of the Buddha
along with the Five Precepts.
The goal for the Buddhist practice is to reach Nirvana. To end the cycle of death and
rebirth. The cycle existence because of Karma and when one overcomes the three roots of evil,
they will be able to achieve this goal of total freedom. Many religions also speak of different
forms of evil and sin one must avoid in their life.
Judaism
Judaism is one of the world's oldest religions, it started in the Middle east and spread
throughout the world. Most of the people that participate in Judaism live in the United States,
Israel and the former Soviet Union. The jewish sense of history begins with the stories
recounted in the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh. (Fisher, pg. 246) Judaism is meant to be a complete
way of life making up the cultural system of Jewish law, custom and practices. A religion being a
complete way of life is an idea shared with all religions, being part of any religion they want
that to be your whole life.
Abraham is the single founder that is considered to be the Patriarch of the Hebrew Tribe.
Teachers are known as Rabbis and it is their main job to interpret the Torah for the people.
Jerusalem, Israel is the center of faith and is a sacred place for Jews. Thier place of worship is
known as a synagogue or temple. The home is also seen as a sacred place of worship and they
have certain ways of keeping their home.

Ritual time is governed by the lunar cycle. Rites of passage include the Brit Milah or
circumcision ceremony for boys at 8 days old, Bar Mitzvah at 12 for girls and 13 for boys,
marriage and death are alone celebrated rituals.
Christianity
Christianity is the largest religion in the world and the most distributed. The teaching are
based on Jesus Christ. There are only shreds of actually evidence of proof of the life of Jesus.
The gospel was spread by missionary work throughout the Roman Empire. Again, the concept
of missionaries is one that is spread throughout many religions so they can spread their beliefs
all around the world. The Christian Bible is made up of two books, the New Testament and the
Old Testament. These stories are very sacred to them and having a book of stories about one's
religion is a very common concept.
Jesus is the founder of Christianity, he is said to be the Son of God. Jesus, God and the
Holy Spirit make up the Trinity Apostle Paul who was a missionary that is largely responsible for
organizing the early church and formulating much of the Christian doctrine. Like every other
religion there are places to worship, in Christianity they are called churches, basilicas, and
cathedrals.
Israel is an important location because the areas located with Jesus are within its
borders. Rome is also big as the center of Christianity, particularly Catholicism. The Roman
church holds great power over many things there, including the majority of the people. Sunday
worship at church is held very highly and attendance is considered very important.
Christian worship usually takes place in a church building. Baptism is a ritual performed
with water to purify one of sin. Another ritual is confirmation, this is where an individual is
initiated and now recognized as a member. Sacrament is A rite in which a portion of bread and
wine is shared in remembrance of Jesus sacrificial death and resurrection. This ritual is also
see in different religions, one being the LDS religion who take it to wash away the sins of the
week.

Many Christian Holidays are celebrated so widely that many people are given days off
work and school to celebrate these holidays. This is something not see in any other religion
really. You can not expect to have time off for holidays in religions like Islam. Because of the
immense amount of members they have this special privilege with their holidays being
recognized by schools and employers.
Islam
Islam started out in the Middle East specifically Mecca, which is a very sacred place.It is
the second largest religion and the world and is always growing. You can now find Muslim all
around the world. The founder was Prophet Muhammad, he is not to be worshiped by muslims,
whose faith resides only in God, his life story is considered important as a model. (Fisher, pg.
179) His qualities are those that a good Muslim tries to emulate.
Just like most religions, Muslims have sacred places like where the prophet is buried in
Medina, Saudi Arabia. Jerusalem is know as the third holiest site for Muslim and is held in high
regards. These places are visited by members and help them spiritually. Their place of worship
are called masjids. Though worship can also be done at home but must be done correctly,
clothe wise and facing and such.
The Quran is their main text, it contains the literal and unchanged word of God. It is
critical that one recites the Quran only in a purified state. Muslims strongly believe that there is
only one God, Allah and are very devoted to him.
Muslims are required to fulfill five central obligations during their life. First, have faith in
one God, Allah and in Muhammad as his messenger. Second, they must pray five times a day,
praying must be done following the dress and such. Third, give a charity tax yearly, this can be
done through the masjid. Four, it's very important that the fast during the month of Ramadan
each year. Fasting is a widely known concept and thought done for many different reason it is a
shared thing in many religions. And five, perform the pilgrimage to Mecca once in their life. Agin,

the concept of a pilgrimage is brought up because the idea of pilgrimage to sacred places within
one's religion is widely shared.
I see all religions as being ultimately similar. Their foundations are all the same in a
sense, they all want the same outcome for their followers, a happy life and a happy afterlife.
They all have places of worship and each, though they may vary, have rituals and practices they
perform for worship. Every religion also has sacred places that are deemed highly spiritual and
are very important for the members to visit because it means a great deal for them as
individuals. There is also a sense of right and wrong in each religion's, things you should and
shouldnt do in your lifetime and consequences for the morally wrong doings. Though there are
clearly differences in each religions as a whole they are all very similar and share so many
similar factors.