Religion i.e., Dharma has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhri’ which means holding together or binding together. It is a belief in the supernatural power. Religion is the human response to the apprehension of something of power, which is supernatural and supersensory. Belief and rituals are two main components of religion. Emile Durkheim says religion is “a unified system of belief and practices relating to sacred things …” Marx says it is the opium of people. The followings are the various types of religions which are practised all over the world.
HINDUISM:- As a religion it is believed to be founded in 1500 B.C. It has no founder. It is of divine origin. It is the most ancient religion of the world. It is found to be practised in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Fiji, Guyana, Indonesia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago. It is the religion of the majority in India. More than 84% of Indian population practise Hinduism. Hinduism allows a number of conception of God and prescribes various paths of attaining God. The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Gita, Mahabharat and the Ramayana are it’s sacred texts. Followers of Hinduism believe in doctrine of Karma, rebirth, immortality of soul and salvation.
JUDAISM:- It is the religion of the Hebrews or Jews. It is believed to be founded in 1300 B.C by Moses of Egypt. This religion is followed world wide but mainly concentrated in Israel and United States. Synagogue is the place of worship for the followers of this religion and Jerusalem is their sacred place. Hals, found particularly in the five books of the Bible are the sacred text of this religion.
BUDDHISM:- This religion was founded by Lord Gautam Buddha in 525 B.C. This religion is a part of Hindu religion because it developed in reaction to the rigidity of Hindu religion. It became very popular in different parts of the world due to Emperor Ashoka’s patronage. It is followed in Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, Tibet, Korea, Mangolia, Thailand, Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam etc. ‘Tripitaka’ is the sacred text. Mahayana and Hinayana is it’s two sects. Bodh Gaya of Bihar, where Lord Buddha got enlightenment is its most sacred place.
JAINISM:- It is also an older religion whose origins traced to the Vedic age. It laid emphasis on internal and external austerities. It gives stress on service to humanity. The 24th trirthankara of the Jain order Lord Mahavira was born in 599 B.C. in Vaisali,now in Bihar. It is practised in India.
CONFUCIANISM:- This religion was founded in 500 B.C by Confucius or Kung Fu Tsu of China. This religion is practised in in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea. ‘The Analects’ is it’s sacred text and Beijing is its sacred place.
ZOROASTRIANISM :- This religion was founded around 600 B.C by Zarathustra who was born in modern Iran . This religion is practised in Iran. It came to India when the Zoroastrians fled to India in 8th Century AD. ‘Zend-Avesta’ is the sacred text of Zoroastrians. Their holy place of worship is fire temple. Their number is very few and in India they are known as Parsi Community.
(7) TAOISM:- This religion was founded by a Chinese philosopher Lao-tse during 6th century B.C. It is mainly followed in Taiwan, China, Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam. ‘Tao-te-Ching’ is the sacred text of this religion.
(8) CHRISTIANITY:- This religion was founded by Jesus Christ who was born to virgin Mary at about 2000 years ago in Jerusalem of Israel. Jesus was born in 5 B.C. This religion is the largest religion of the world and is followed all over the world. Its followers are called Christians. ‘Bible’ is the sacred text of Christians and Church is their holy place of worship. The sacred place of this religion is Jerusalem, the birth place of Jesus. It consists of old and new Testament. Catholics and Protestants are two sects of Christianity. Christmas and Good Friday are its main festivals.
(9) ISLAM:- Islam was originated in Arabia. It was founded during 622 A.D by Prophet Mohammed who was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 570 AD. It is a monolithic religion. The followers of this religion are called Muslims. ‘Quran’ is the sacred text of Islam. Mecca, the birth place of Prophet and Madina are the sacred places of Muslims. Masjid (mosque) is their holy place of worship. This religion is the second largest religion of the world and is followed almost all over the world. Id and Ramjan are the principal festivals celebrated by the Muslims.
(10) SIKHISM:- This religion is a part of Hindu religion. Guru Nanak founded this religion during 1500 A.D. This religion is practised mainly in India. It is created in reaction to the rigid ritual and caste system of Hinduism. The followers of this religion are called Sikhs.‘Guru Grantha Saheb’ is the sacred text of the Sikhs. The Golden Temple of Amritsar, Punjab is the sacred place of the Sikhs and Gurudwar is their place of worship.
(11) SHINTOISM:- This religion began with Japanese culture and developed out of tradition and ancestor worship. This religion was mainly practised in Japan and has no specific text.