- Major
Traditions
- Buddhist
http://www.religiousworlds.com/buddhist.htm
[Established in northern India about 2500 years ago in response to the life and
teachings of Gautama Siddhartha who was given the title 'Buddha' or
awakened-one, the tradition has spread throughout the world and has subdivided
into numerous distinct groups. Although monasticism was a major aspect of early
Buddhism, the tradition has both monastic and non-monastic
followers.]
- Confucian
http://www.religiousworlds.com/confucian.html
[A great tradition with a highly developed emphasis on ethics, ritual, and
learning. Derives from the life and teachings of Master Kung (551-479 BCE).
Unsuccessful in politics and government, but eventually he became a very great
influence on Chinese culture.]
- Hindu
http://www.religiousworlds.com/hindu.html
[The mega-tradition of India (or, some would say, the artificial construct
created by Western scholars to interpret religion in India). No founder or
single, central authoritative institutions. Possibly the most ancient of human
traditions. Requires a fairly steep learning curve to gain competence in
understanding Hinduism due to the complexity, multiple classical languages, and
mass of information that resists simple classification -- but is fascinating
and well worth studying.]
- Jain
http://www.religiousworlds.com/jain.html
[Like Buddhism, an ancient ascetical tradition. The last great master was
Vardhamana, who was given the title 'Mahavira" (Great Hero) and was believed to
be the last of the Tirthankaras (those who had crossed-over or "forded" the
ocean of earthly existence and had reached the ultimate realm of eternal
bliss). Again like Buddhism, Jainism split into subtraditions, and gained many
non-monastic followers. Unlike Buddhism, Jains generally did not travel outside
India until recent times. Currently there are probably about four million Jains
worldwide, all but about 200,000 in India.]
- Shinto
http://www.religiousworlds.com/shinto.html
[The traditional "Way of the Gods" in Japan that seems to have grown up around
local shrines dedicated to locally powerful forces and the sacred spaces
established in their honor. Later became a state cult and contributed to the
development of Japanese nationalism.]
- Sikh
http://www.religiousworlds.com/sikh.html
[The tradition that developed from the teachings of Guru Nanak and his nine
successors. The lineage of human spiritual masters ended with Guru Gobind Singh
and subsequently the teaching authority passed to the Guru Granth Sahib
-- a highly honored scripture -- and the collective membership of the baptisted
order within Sikh tradition that was established by the last of the human
masters -- the Khalsa Panth. There are about fourteen million Sikhs worldwide,
most of them still living in or near the Punjab state of northern
India.]
- Taoist
http://www.religiousworlds.com/dao/index.html
[An ancient tradition of China. Among its traditional sages and their teachings
are Lao-tzu and the Tao Te Ching and Chuang-tzu and the text that bears
his name. Taoism celebrates humanity as a part of the circulation of the
energies of nature. Traditional medical techniques and martial arts (such as
Tai Chi) are consistent with Taoist traditions. Later Taoism became highly
institutionalized and ritualized, with priestly specialists who conduct
funerals and other basic rites for their religious clients.]
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