1. Established by 1000 C.E.

2. Polytheism: origins Earliest religions across all cultural regions Sumerian, Shang, Greek, Roman, Germanic, Mayan, Aztec, and African

4. Polytheism: Tenets Belief in many gods/ spirits Gods as personification of nature animism

5. Hinduism: Origin & Spread Began with the Aryan invaders –vedas 1700-1500 B.C.E. Later groups added to ideas Spread thru Indian Subcontinent

6. Hinduism: Major Tenets One ultimate reality: Brahma Rebirth for spiritual progress, determined by karma Release for cycle of rebirth (moshka) Dharma, duties and rules of conduct to be followed to achieve release from reincarnation

8. Hinduism: Significance No founder, no specific date Tolerant of other religions Adaptable; offers both meditation and ritual Varna, division of people into 4 classes, beginnings of caste, as a measure of one’s spiritual progress

9. Judaism: Origins/Spread Hebrews, ancient Israelites First writings between 1000 and 800 B.C.E. Began in ancient Palestine spread into land of Canaan to Egypt (Exodus) and back to Canaan. 130s C.E. into the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe

12. Judaism: Tenets Monotheistic Chosen people through a special relationship with God (covenant) Messiah to come Beliefs set forth in the Torah and the Talmud (collection of oral laws)

13. Judaism: Significance First monotheistic religion Greatly influenced both Christianity and Islam No widespread hierarchical structure No missionary movement

14. Grew from protest of Brahman (highest caste) practices Siddhartha Gautama 500s B.C.E. Spread from Northern India, Asia and Southeast Asia as far as Japan by the 700s C.E.

15. Buddhism: origins and spread Siddhartha Gautama- 500 BCE Buddha is not a god (allows for spirits) Northern India- Nepal Spread along trade and travel routes into China, Japan, Southeast Asia

18. Buddhism: Tenets Four Noble truths –Universality of Suffering –Desire causes suffering –Nirvana is the cessation of desire –Eightfold path is guide to entering Nirvana Rightness of : Knowledge, thought, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mind, and meditation

20. Buddhism: Significance Strong monastic tradition; monks helped to spread Revival of Hinduism and Islamic invasions wipe out of India by 1000 ce Different forms emerge- –Theraveda: oldest (Southeast Asia() –Mahyaha: emphasis on the bodhisattva

22. Confucianism: Origins Confucius began teaching in 500s BCE Developed an ethical philosophy Never spread from China or regions dominated by China (Japan, Korea, Taiwan)

24. Confucianism: Tenets Based on five basic relationships; ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, brothers, and friends Filial piety(honor to one’s elders/betters); family as the extension of the state Superior man; only the educated should govern

25. Confucianism: Significance Philosophical and ethical system of conduct Dominant in government, education, and scholarship for 2000 years Basis for civil service Conservative influence: status quo Mandate from heaven Ancestor worship

27. Daoism: Origin/spread Attributed to Lao-tzu 400s and 300s BCE Spread through China has become popular in some Western thought 2 nd most influential thought system

28. Lao Tze

29. Daoism: Tenets Tao “The Way” Live in accord with one’s nature Balance Oneness with everything thru the tao, meditation Yin and yang; passive and active principles Borrowed Buddhist practices

30. Daoism: Significance Social conventions such as Confucian rituals are unnatural Mixed with peasant belief in spirits (animism) Interest in nature greatly influenced Chinese arts

32. Christianity: Origins/Spread Originated with the teachings of Jesus 30s CE Spread from Palestine throughout the Roman world, including the Byzantine Empire and northern Europe Three major sects: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant found in all continents

34. Christianity: Tenets Monotheism; Jesus as the Messiah Thru God’s grace and the gift of faith people are “saved” Gospels as main source of early teachings of Jesus Large body of later writings developed to interpret and build on original teachings

36. Christianity: Significance Legalized by Constantine in the late 300s Monastic element preserved much of Greek and Roman learning after Roman Empire Missionary outreach Strong, universal hierarchial structure and discipline As RCC, papacy rivaled that of European emperors and kings

38. Islam: origins/Spread Muhammad, Early 600s CE From Arabian peninsula through middle East to Western India, Western China, sub- Saharan Africa, and Moorish enclaves in Spain Easy to learn and practice and teaches equality. Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes.

40. Islam: Tenets One God, Allah Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets 5 pillars –No god but Allah, Muhammad is his prophet –Prayer facing Mecca five times a day –Charity –Fasting during Ramadan –pilgrimage

41. The Ka’ba

42. Islam: Significance Split into sects: argued over who would lead the faith after the death of the prophet –Sunni: modern majority originally adherents of the Umayyad –Shi’is: originally followers of Ali Developed the Sharia, a legal code for many Islamic Nations