Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

religions

431

Hinduism

The Hindu religion developed in india thousands

of years ago. Hindus have many gods, but they are

all part of one great power, called Brahman.

Hindus believe that when we die, we are reborn

as a person, animal, or plant. The better

our deeds in one life, the better our

rebirth. The Hindu festival of

diwali celebrates the victory of

good over evil.

Judaism

The religion of the Jewish

people, Judaism, began

over 4,000 years ago. Jews

worship one God. They

believe that God has made

the Jews His chosen people.

The Jewish festival of Passover,

held in the spring, commemorates

the time when the Jews escaped captivity

in Egypt to return to israel.

BuddHism

Followers of the great indian

teacher, the Buddha, are known

as Buddhists. Like Hindus, they

believe in rebirth after death.

By trying to follow a lifestyle of

correct behavior, meditation, and wisdom,

they hope to break out of the cycle of death

and rebirth to reach a state of

purity known as

enlightenment.

isLam

Followers of islam are called

muslims. Their faith was first

revealed to the prophet

muhammad in the 7th century.

muslims believe in one God.

They promise to pray five times

a day, fast during the month of

Ramadan, give alms to the poor,

and make the pilgrimage to

the holy city of mecca at least

once in their lives.

CHRisTianiTy

Christians believe that Jesus of nazareth

was the son of God. He lived in the Roman

province of Palestine and was crucified.

Christians believe that Jesus’s life, death, and

resurrection free believers from their state of

sin. Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of

Jesus, is the most important Christian festival.

Eggs are given to symbolize the coming of new life.

sikHism

The spiritual leader

Guru nanak founded sikhism in

northern india in the 16th

century. sikhs follow the 10

Gurus who revealed the truth

about God and stress the

importance of serving the

community, as well as

worship. male (and some

female) sikhs wear the

turban to show their faith

and their membership of

the sikh community.

Buddhist monks

have few

possessions and

devote their lives

to explaining the

Buddha’s

teachings.

When they pray,

Muslims face the

direction of Mecca.

Candles are lit at the

festival of Diwali.

Buddhism

Christianity

Hinduism

islam

Judaism

Find out more

Easter egg

Plate with

Passover meal

Sikh boy

wearing

turban

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