160Religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism have
their roots in South and East Asia. During the 20th century,
however, they spread across the world as a result of migration,
and today they are practiced in both East and West. In many
parts of the world, smaller, traditional religions are still
practiced alongside larger, world religions.
THE FIVE Ks
Followers of Sikhism
outwardly show their
devotion by keeping five
symbolic objects starting
with the letter K.OKesh (uncut hair).
Sikhs do not cut
their hair and allow
their beards to grow.
OKara (a steel bracelet)
OKanga (a wooden comb)
OKacch (a cotton
undergarment)
OKirpan (a steel dagger)HINDUISM
Hinduism originated in India in about 2,500 BCE. Hindus believe that
souls are born again after death, and that good or bad deeds in this life
result in a good or bad rebirth. The greatest goal of Hinduism is to
find perfect peace and liberation by escaping the cycle of rebirth. WORSHIP
Hindus believe in a multitude of gods, each
with a different role. Elephant-headed Ganesh
(above) is identified with wisdom. But most
Hindus single out one God, such as Vishnu or
Shiva, as creator and savior of the world. THE SACRED COW is greatly revered
by Hindus. Killing cows is banned in India,
and cows are allowed to wander wherever they
like, even through busy traffic. DIWALI
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights.
It marks the beginning of the Hindu
new year. Families light oil lamps to
invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth
and purity, into their homes.SIKHISM
Sikhism was founded in the 15th
century by Guru Nanak, in what isnow Pakistan. Sikhs believe in one
all-powerful God, who is best
understood through meditation.
The holy book of the Sikhs is the
Guru Granth Sahib, which is the
teachings of the first leaders of the
Sikh faith, the ten Gurus. THE GOLDEN TEMPLE
in Amritsar, Punjab, India, is the
most important holy place of the
Sikh religion. THE WORD OF GOD
This Indian Sikh man is working on a
handwritten version of the Guru Granth
Sahib. This holy book is treated with utmost
respect: it is placed on a throne, and a sacred
whisk is waved over it as it is read.CULTURE