Christianity
When and Why?
Christianity began in the first century A.D. The birthplace of Christianity was Levant, which is known in modern times as Israel and Palestine.
Christianity began in Israel and was largely based on the life, teachings and beliefs of Jesus Christ, who was a Jew believed to have been the messiah.
Beliefs?
The key beliefs of traditional Christianity are that Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that his life on earth, his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven are proof of God's love for humanity and God's forgiveness of human sins.
Followers:
Christianity is the largest religion in the world with over 2 billion followers.
Christianity is mostly practiced through the western hemisphere. There are countries in the eastern hemisphere like Russia that also practice Christianity. There are also countries in the southern hemisphere like southern Africa and Australia that practice Christianity as well.
Text of Christianity:
The text of Christianity is the Bible. The Christian bible combines the Jewish old testament and the new testament together which followers refer to as their holy scriptures.
Buddhism
Where and When?
The Buddhist tradition is founded on and inspired by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. He was called the Buddha and lived in the 4th or 5th century B.C. in India
The origin of Buddhism points to one man, Siddhartha Gautama. Buddha, who was born in Lumbini ( present-day Nepal) during the 5th century BCE.
Beleifs
Four Noble Truths:
1.The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
2.The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya)
3.The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)
4.The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)
Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. Buddhism is also based around three other concepts :
Samadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct.
Sila: Virtue, good conduct, morality.
Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.
Buddhists seek to reach a state of nirvana. Which is why they practice concepts of tranquility.
Followers:
There are 376 million followers worldwide. Buddhism is mostly practiced in countries like China,Thailand, and countries around that area.
Texts of Buddhism:
The Tripitaka[trih-pit-a-kuh] ,Mahayana Sutras[mah-hun-yah-nuh, suh-tras] and the Tibetan Book of the Dead are three major non canonical Buddhist texts. The Pali Canon, which means “the word of Buddha,” includes some of the Buddha's discourse, but it also incorporates the teachings of his pupils.
Holidays:
Buddhists celebrate holidays like Vesak which is Buddha's Birthday. This is one of the major festivals of the year. It is celebrated on the first full moon day in May.
Makha Bucha also known as "Sangha Day" celebrates when 1,250 Arahants met nine months after the Buddha's enlightenment and where the Buddha gave important Dhamma instructions. It usually occurs in February.
Rastafari
Belief's:
Past Beliefs:
1.Haile Selassie I is the Living God
2.The African-American person is the reincarnation of ancient Israel, who, at the hand of the White person, has been in exile in Jamaica
3.The White person is inferior to the Black person
4.Jamaica is hell; Ethiopia is heaven
5.The Invincible Emperor of Ethiopia is now arranging for expatriated persons of African origin to return to Ethiopia
6.In the near future Blacks shall rule the world
7.The history of Rastafari begins with the colonization of Africa, or 'Ethiopia' as it is known to believers, by Europeans.
Modern Day Beliefs
1.The humanity of God and the divinity of man
2.God is found within every man.
3.God is in history.
4.Salvation on earth.
5.The supremacy of life.
6.Respect for nature.
7.The power of speech.
8.Evil is corporate
9.Judgement is near
10.The priesthood of Rastafarians
11.Rastafarians are the chosen people of God and are on earth to promote his power and peacefulness.
Rastafari holds many Christian beliefs like the existence of a God ("Jah"), who had sent his only son to Earth in the form of Jesus. Haile Selassie I, who was Ethiopia's regent and then emperor and was believed to be the reincarnation of Christ after he was crusified. Rastafari accept much of the Bible.
When and Why?
The European powers took many Africans as slaves, and the people of Africa were divided up and sent into exile as captives throughout the world. The areas of captivity became known as 'Babylon'.
For Africans this exile marked the defeat of their culture. However, Rastafarians believe that the suppression of blacks in Babylon is ending and that soon they will all return to 'Ethiopia'.
Rastafari is believed to have been established in Jamaica in 1935. It is explained that all blacks would gain the superiority over whites that had always been intended for them.
Some see Rastafari as more of a way of life based on the religions morals and key beliefs.
Followers and Holidays
Rastafari has about one million followers worldwide.
Ethiopian Christmas-January 7:
Ethiopian Christmas is marked by a large feast. The food eaten is vegetarian or vegan. During the feast prophecy and readings take place.
Groundation Day-April 21:
Marks the date Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica in 1966. The visit was the only time the Emperor visited Jamaica.
Holy Text:
Rastafarians also use a majority of the bible. The other few scriptures are quotes form Haile Selassie I.