Unit 9 World Religions **We study different religious practices in order to understand one another. Many people have strong convictions, and it would be impossible to understand them without first understanding their beliefs.

Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one god or in the oneness of God. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are main religions

Hinduism India’s 1st major religion. Believed to be the first religion known to mankind. Hindus hold a wide variety of beliefs about the nature of God and of ultimate reality Vishnu Aum

Caste System A system of division of labor and power in the human society, most notably in India

Buddhism Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). The religion is 2,500 years old. The main religion in many Asian countries. It is a religion about suffering and the need to get rid of it Buddha Dharmachakra, or "wheel of law.

Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect

Nirvana term used in Indian religions to describe the profound peace of mind that is acquired with liberation…it is the state of being free from suffering (not these guys)

Reincarnation the religious or philosophical concept that the soul or spirit, after biological death, begins a new life in a new body that may be human, animal or spiritual depending on the moral quality of the previous life's actions

Christianity a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings. Believers are called Christians. Sermon On The Mount

Judaism Hebrew leader Abraham founded Judaism (believers are called Jewish) around 2000 BCE. Judaism is the oldest of the monotheistic faiths Star of David Torah in synagogue

Islam Believers in Islam are called Muslims, or "those who surrender." Muslims adhere to the teaching of Mohammad, who Muslims believe was the last of a series of holy prophets that included Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The holy city of Mecca