The vast history of humanity is full of age-old religions. Since the dawn of time, people have looked for spiritual guidance through an array of beliefs, ranging from polytheism to monotheism. Many of these beliefs have survived for centuries, some of them even millennia. In today’s post, we take a look at some of the oldest religions in the world, and explore the history behind them.
Hinduism
Hinduism is one of the oldest surviving religions in the world, possibly dating back as far as 3000 BCE. Believed to have originated in the Indus Valley Civilization, it is based on the teachings of ancient scriptures like the Vedas, and is closely associated with other Ancient Indian religions such as Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
Hinduism is polytheistic and its deities include the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, as well as many other gods and goddesses. Major Hindu beliefs include reincarnation, the Law of Karma, puja (Hindu worship) and dharma (righteousness). All these basic beliefs come from Hinduism’s core texts – the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad-Gita.
Judaism
Judaism is an old monotheistic religion believed to have been established around the 13th century BCE. It is based on the Torah and is traditionally believed to be first revealed to Moses in Mount Sinai. The main beliefs of Judaism are based on the divine covenant that existed between God and the Hebrews. The main teachings of Judaism include the commandments, the end of the world (eschatology), and the role of justice in life.
One of the main holidays of Judaism is Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). This holiday marks the anniversary of the signing of the covenant between God and the Hebrews. It is a time of introspection and reflection that is observed for 25 hours with fasting and prayer.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions, with its inception believed to have taken place around the 2nd millennium BCE in Persia. The religion is based on the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra, and was adopted by the ancient Persian Empire in the 6th century BCE. Today, Zoroastrianism is still practiced by some communities in India and Iran.
The main teachings of Zoroastrianism are based on the belief in one God and good versus evil. The core texts of Zoroastrianism are the Avesta, which includes the Gathas, and the Yashastxts. Its central observance is the Fire Temple, where believers gather to pray and sacrifice food to the fire god.
Jainism
Jainism is an ancient religion that originated in India during the 5th century BCE. It is based on the teachings of the 20 sages called jinas, or ‘conquerors’. These teachings revolve around Dharma, or the moral and spiritual duties that each person has to perform in order to reach liberation.
Jainism emphasizes the importance of non-violence, ahimsa (non-injury to any living creature) and vegetarianism. Its core text is the JainAgam, a set of texts compiled by the 20 jinas. Major observances include fasts, pilgrimages and meditation. Key practices include meditation, donation and the five Great Vows.
Taoism
Taoism is an ancient Chinese religion and philosophy, founded by the sage Lao Tzu in the 6th century BCE. Its core belief is that all things are part of one energy source, or Tao. Taoists strive to live in harmony with the Tao, through practices such as meditation, cultivation and wuwei (the principle of non-action).
Taoism is dualistic and believes in both a physical and a spiritual world. The main texts of Taoism are the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi. Major observances include festivals such as the Neijing Period (the period of the Spring and Autumn Annals), the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Double Ninth Festival.
From Hinduism to Taoism, the oldest surviving religions of the world have had a deep impact on human culture and spirituality. Each of these religions has its own core beliefs, scriptures, observances and practices that have shaped humanity’s spiritual beliefs for thousands of years. Whether you are a believer or not, it is worth exploring these ancient faiths and learning about their history and teachings.
