Religion is often defined as a set of beliefs that explain the world and the universe;

however, for individuals, religion and spirituality are more than just a way of understanding the

world. We hope to not only provide practical, and historical information about religions of the

world, but to also examine what each religion means to its followers. It is general born out of

culture where members of the culture create a system of beliefs and values. They also establish

symbols that represent the belief structure and hold special meaning for believers. According to

the location religions can be divided geographically depending on which part of the world it is in.

The traditions, customs, beliefs, symbols and history, and can be belief-based or it can be based

on practice. Two of the largest religions are Buddhism and Judaism, which are the two religions I

have chosen to analyze. Some anthropological perspectives would considered these religions that

I know nothing about, to be universal because the laws and values can be adopted by anyone.

Religion often provides a way of life for many individuals so it is important to understand the

fundamentals of the practical and historical meanings of the religions of the world as well as the

what it means to each follower of each religion. Culture reveals to ourselves and others what we

are. It gives expression to our nature in our manner of living and of thinking, in art, religion,

ethical aspirations, and knowledge.

Buddhism first began in India during the first millennium BC and is being practiced

currently in most parts of Southeast Asia as well as China and Japan. This religion was one of

the movements that broke away from the Brahmanic tradition of ancient India. Buddhism is

based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who was born into a royal family around 580 BC

in modern-day Nepal. He had a rich upbringing and sheltered lifestyle which made him

unfamiliar with the harsh realities of life. He ventured outside and learned many things that

bothered him, such as seeing suffering that plagued mankind. He then left his royal life and

traveled as a holy man. Siddhartha’s goal was to search and find a way to end human suffering.

Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of dharma, Four Nobel Truths. Buddhists

also believe in rebirth and ultimate strive to achieve Nirvana or “Enlightenment.” Buddhism

focuses on the truth about things in nature and the universe rather then worshiping a god(s).

Samsara means “continuous moving,” the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is based on the fact the

humans desire pleasure and try to avoid pain or suffering from the moment of birth to death.

Karma is defined as “action” or “work” and it fuels the cycle of suffering and rebirth, or

“Samsara.” Rebirth is a belief that living beings go through several lifetimes.

There are different ways to honor Buddha such has offering gifts to Buddhist monks or to

fellow Buddhists, or becoming an ordained monk. Worship, can take place in a temple or at

home before a set-up shrine. It occurs in the presence of a monk, in a group, or alone. The

religion worship involves a syllable, word, or prayer, which is spoken or displayed on a prayer

wheel. The Buddhist religion is not based on the belief in Gods, but the main figure of Buddha

himself.

Judaism began is the middle Ease and was founded by Moses. The history of the religion

goes back 3500 years ago in the Middle East and can be understood through the Tanaka, the

Hebrew canonical bible which includes Torah. Moses was the founder, but the Jewish people

believe that the religion started to develop for the time of Abraham. Hebrews lived in servitude

in Egypt for many years according to Biblical Judaism. The ones how believed in Judaism

believed in one God and had to obey the Laws of God. Jews believed in Halakah, which is the

Jewish way of life. The Jews are the chosen people of God and must act as a good example for

the rest of the world. This religion beliefs are that there is only one God, the creator of the

universe.

The law and tradition are based on the Torah, also known as the Five Books of Moses. It

contains 613 commandments according to the rabbinic tradition. The laws are divided for the

men, women, priestly groups, and even farmers. The laws can not be read or understood without

the reader being familiar with the oral law. The Jewish way of life is called Halakha and is

based on the unity of oral and written tradition. The customs is this religion is practicing prayer.

They attend the synagogue or religious event, and most of the Jews cover their heads. The

orthodox Jewish men cover their heads at all times with a skullcap called a kippah or yarmulke,

which is known to symbolized respect toward God.

The Jewish have holidays that are important days of the year and mark significant points

in Jewish history. The Sabbath is a commemoration of God’s day of rest after six days of

creation. A Sabbath family meal is a religious custom, observing the Sabbath as being one of the

Ten commandments. Food is prepared in specific ways according to the Jewish Dietary Laws

and is referred to a Kosher. Only certain types of food are considered Kosher and these include

mammals with split hooves who chew their “cud” and sea animals must have fins and scales.

Other Jewish customs include male circumcision, when the baby is eight days old and tracks

back to the covenant between God and Abraham (www.typesofreligion.com/)

The ethical dilemmas of an economically developing countries, with a background of

Buddhist culture, are resolved, for a true Buddhist will focus on personal progress in worldly

issues only on the foundation of the Noble Eightfold Path. Progress by way of adhamma,

unrighteousness, will inevitably bring in its trails disaster, pain, and suffering to individuals,

communities, and nations. There has been much time and writing into the relationship between

the modern globalization effort and the historical imperialization effort. Just as imperialization

has in the past, Globalization certainly distributes culture in both directions, from the first world

to the third world, and vice versa. The fundamental difference between these two concepts is that

globalization is a less direct manner of influence, which is highly politically motivated in nature.

The European nations of the past established colonies and relationships, yet America has never

established colonies, and therefore, has never possessed "direct control" like that of the Jewish

and Hinduism religions (Borgmann).

References:

Bogoda, R., (2005), Buddhist Culture, The Cultured Buddhist, Retrieved July 2, 2012, from:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bogoda/bl139.html

Borgmann, A.,(December 2004), Senior Seminar: politics & Religion, Retrieved July 2, 2012,

from: http://www.2timothy42.org/Resources/essay.php?EssayID=14

Types of Religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, & Judaism, Major religions of the world,

Retrieved July 2, 2012, from: www.typesofreligion.com/