There are many different religions that are spread throughout the world, each being celebrated or worshiped in its own unique way. Each religion has its own back story and origin of forming into a belief amongst its followers. The location and ethnicity of most individuals can sometimes determine what religion they choose to follow or what religion they are taught to believe. In this short essay, I’ll be explaining several different religions that are widely used today;
Indigenous Sacred Ways: Everything is Alive
Today’s followers of the indigenous sacred ways can be found in many different tribes across the earth. Some of these tribes include the Juhoansi and Chewa tribe of Botswana, the Mnong and Trampaun tribe of Cambodia, and the Lisa and Koya tribe of India. The common characteristics of the indigenous religion include rituals, earthly intermediaries, and songs, myths, storytellers, or proverbs. They choose to have most of these rituals in front of large crowds in order to enliven their tribal community. The goal of indigenous believers is to be one or connect with their environmental settings.
Hinduism: With mind absorbed and heart melted in love
Hinduism is mostly practiced within the Indian subcontinent, along with Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The followers of this religion can be found in countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, etc. In the Hindu religion, there is no single set scripture or way of teaching. Something commonly found in this religion is the different deities, which are available to those who want to follow in its path. For example, Shiva the third god (deity) is known to have excessive passion for many things. Those who follow him meditate as part of their worship. Rituals are a big part of Hinduism.
Jainism: Be careful all the while
Jainism, like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism can be found deep within the Indian continent and is another religion of choice. The founder or teacher of Jainism is known as Mahavira, the spiritual seeker. The religion includes forty-five edited books of the spiritual leader and two groups of monks that followed closely after him. Some of the ways that these believers worship include meditation, celibacy, fasting, and praise of the Tirthankara in well-kept temples.
Buddhism: He will deliver by the boat of knowledge the distressed world
The founder of this religion is known as Buddha, the once luxurious and wealthy individual who decided to change his ways of life and teach others about early sufferings and the cure. Most of the followers under Buddhism are located throughout India and Asia. Even though Buddha founded this religion, he is not depicted as the God of it. Before his death he gave no one the role to rule his philosophy, instead he stated that he wanted all of his followers to live under the Dharma, study the Dharma, and practice the ways of the Dharma. Worship under Buddhism includes being in a sacred temple or staying home. If the follower decides to worship at home, then they will need to be in a separate room with a shrine of Buddha, candles, and an incense burner.
Daoism and Confucianism: The unity of opposites
Daoism and Confucianism go all the way back to as long as 2000 BCE. It was founded around the same time that India was giving birth to its numerous religions, but it was more widespread in China, Japan, and Korea. This religion is said to have been formed by many different invisible spirits of cosmic energy. Other theories say that the Yellow Emperor of China who once ruled studied health, military, and meditation practices. Later on, the Emperor of China became immortal and spread what he learned. Worship under this religion includes burning candles incense and praise to the spiritual shrines in the many temples that have been built for Daoism and Confucianism.
Shinto: The way of the Kami
The religion Shinto is most practiced by Japanese individuals. The followers of Shinto are taught to respect the Kami, which is a spirit that had the role to organize the material world. Because of this Spirit, the Japanese keep a close bond with nature, despite the fact that most of it are polluted. Worship for Shinto believers includes purification inside shrines and praise or acknowledgment to the Kami inside the shrine.
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