The universal world religions of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism have similarities within their general beliefs and how they were spread; however, the core tenants of faith of the religions were distinct and unique to the faith. The universal world religions had some similar beliefs and practices within the religion. The universal world religions had distinct and unique core tenants of faith practiced within each religion. The spread of the universal world religions was similar in how they progressed across the continent. Each of the universal world religions of Christianity (0 – 1500 CE), Islam (610 – 1922 CE), and Buddhism (600 BCE) have a canon, a place of worship and a leader. The canon is the holy book of the religion while the leader is the figure who is attributed to the start of the religion. In the Christian’s canon, the Bible, Jesus, the son of god, teaches the apostolic leaders – Peter, Thomas, Mark, and Matthew – leading to the eventual formation of the Christian church. Islam’s canon, the Quran, was written by Muhammad (570 – 632 CE), a merchant who received the divine revelation that led to the creation of the Quran, who, after the unification of Arab tribes, gained control of Mecca, making it the holy land of worship for the Islamic faith. The Tripitaka, the canon of Buddhism, was the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (563 BCE – 483 BCE), while their place of enlightenment, or worship, were monasteries and stupas. Therefore, the canon, place of worship, and the spiritual leader of the universal world religions were similar. The universal world religions each had a form of prayer and redemption. Prayer was used as a way of worship and to connect with God, in the case of Islam and Christianity, or Enlightenment, in Buddhism, while redemption was the righting of one’s sins. Christian prayer was practiced within everyday life as well as within the churches and, through prayer, a worshipper could gain redemption. Islamic prayer was practiced five times a day, kneeled on a mat while facing the direction of Mecca and the path to redemption was to convert to the Islamic faith. Meditation to gain enlightenment was the form of prayer for Buddhism and redemption was viewed as a personal endeavor to strive for. Therefore, the universal world religions of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism had similar forms of prayer and redemption. Another similarity between the universal world religions of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism was their similar supernatural beliefs and view on violence.
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The supernatural beliefs of the universal world religions related to spiritual beings, while violence was viewed negatively. The supernatural beliefs of Christianity and Islam were angels, such as the Archangel Gabriel who visited Muhammad (610 CE), and did not condone violence; however, Islam’s practice of Jihad allowed violence when it was for the religion. Supernatural beliefs in Buddhism were bodhisattvas, enlightened demigods, and the faith practiced non-violence. Therefore, the universal world religions shared similar supernatural beliefs and a policy of non-violence. The opinion of the divinity of Jesus differed between the universal world religions of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Jesus, the son of God in Christianity, is mentioned in each of the universal religions; however, their viewpoint of his divinity varied. Christianity’s stance on Jesus’ divinity was that he was the holy son of God. Both Islam and Buddhism, however, believed Jesus to be a rightly guided prophet, like Muhammad, but not divine. Therefore, the universal world religions had a distinct and unique view on Jesus’ divine status. The belief of what happens after death and the idea of Heaven or Nirvana differs in the universal world religions. The events following the death of someone vary between the religions, as does the idea of heaven versus nirvana. Both Christianity and Islam practice the belief in Heaven and Hell; however, while Christianity believes in an afterlife once someone dies, Islam does not practice the belief of reincarnation or the afterlife. Buddhism differs from Christianity and Islam due to the belief in Nirvana, enlightenment where there is an absence of pain, rather than Heaven and Hell, and while practicing the belief of reincarnation, strived to end the cycle. Therefore, the
The supernatural beliefs of the universal world religions related to spiritual beings, while violence was viewed negatively. The supernatural beliefs of Christianity and Islam were angels, such as the Archangel Gabriel who visited Muhammad (610 CE), and did not condone violence; however, Islam’s practice of Jihad allowed violence when it was for the religion. Supernatural beliefs in Buddhism were bodhisattvas, enlightened demigods, and the faith practiced non-violence. Therefore, the universal world religions shared similar supernatural beliefs and a policy of non-violence. The opinion of the divinity of Jesus differed between the universal world religions of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Jesus, the son of God in Christianity, is mentioned in each of the universal religions; however, their viewpoint of his divinity varied. Christianity’s stance on Jesus’ divinity was that he was the holy son of God. Both Islam and Buddhism, however, believed Jesus to be a rightly guided prophet, like Muhammad, but not divine. Therefore, the universal world religions had a distinct and unique view on Jesus’ divine status. The belief of what happens after death and the idea of Heaven or Nirvana differs in the universal world religions. The events following the death of someone vary between the religions, as does the idea of heaven versus nirvana. Both Christianity and Islam practice the belief in Heaven and Hell; however, while Christianity believes in an afterlife once someone dies, Islam does not practice the belief of reincarnation or the afterlife. Buddhism differs from Christianity and Islam due to the belief in Nirvana, enlightenment where there is an absence of pain, rather than Heaven and Hell, and while practicing the belief of reincarnation, strived to end the cycle. Therefore, the