The New Childrens Encyclopedia

WORLD RELIGIONS

161

BUDDHISM

Buddhism was founded in India in about 500 BCE. Buddhists do not

worship a god, but, instead, follow the teachings of a man named the

Buddha, who realized the true nature of reality. Like Hindus, Buddhists

believe in rebirth. The Buddha showed his followers how to escape rebirth

and suffering through good deeds and meditation.

 BUDDHA STATUES
Statues of the Buddha often show him
meditating in a cross-legged position. The Big
Buddha on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand,
was built in 1972 and is 50 ft (15 m) tall. It
can be seen from several miles away.

SHAMANISM

Shamanism is the ancient,

widespread belief that an

invisible world of good and

evil spirits exists all around us.

Specially trained people called

shamans can perform rituals

that allow them to

communicate with the spirit

world. The Chukchi people of

Eastern Siberia, for example,

have shamans in their

community who use drums to

contact the spirit world.

 PRAYER WHEELS

Tibetan Buddhists use prayer wheels

printed with mantras, which are verses

that bring about spiritual understanding.

As the wheel is turned, the mantra repeats

itself over and over again.

 BUDDHIST TEMPLES

Buddhist temples are home to monks and

nuns who have chosen to follow a life of

good deeds and meditation. The temples

are designed to symbolize the five elements:

earth, air, fire, water, and wisdom, which

is respresented by the pinnacle at the top.

ABORIGINAL RELIGION

Australian Aborigines

traditionally believe that the

land, the sea, animals, and

plants were created by ancestor

spirits. These spirits, which live

in a hidden world called the

Dreamtime or the Dreaming,

continue to give life to our

world. Stories and songs about

the Dreamtime have been

passed down from generation

to generation for thousands

of years.

CONFUCIANISM

Confucius was a Chinese

philosopher (551–479 BCE)

who stressed the importance

of respecting elders, acting

dutifully toward the family

and state, and honoring

ancestors. His writings

include the I Ching, which is

used for telling the future.

Traditional religions

CULTURE