Core Beliefs of Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam Explained

Buddhism

The founder, Buddha, was born in the sixth century BC in a village in Nepal. As the son of a feudal lord, he lived a life of luxury, married early, and had a son. He eventually devoted himself to religious asceticism under the guidance of a guru. He began preaching in Banaras to five companions, forming a community of monks. He established the three pillars of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

Buddha can be considered a reformer of Hinduism. His doctrine focuses on the release of the person, leading humanity to deep and lasting peace. Buddha taught that existence is imbued with Dukkha (suffering), which begins at birth. Man desires, strives, and eventually loses what he gains; therefore, the elimination of desire is the path to release.

Judaism

In Judaism, the ultimate mystery of success is that everything is governed by Yahweh, the creator and governor of the universe. He is a faithful God whose love and mercy are eternal. He released his people from slavery and oppression in Egypt and promised that the end of time would bring a Messiah.

Features of Judaism

• Nationalist Religion: A strong sense of community unites Jews even in dispersion.
• Historical Revelation: God is not known through abstract concepts, but through historical events.
• Divine Justice: God is defined by his role as a liberator and a source of justice.

Islam

The founder, Muhammad, was born in the late sixth century AD in Mecca, Arabia. After retiring to devote himself to meditation, he experienced an apparition of the angel Gabriel, who revealed the fundamental truths of his doctrine: absolute monotheism, a final trial, and rigorous punishment.

After facing opposition in Mecca, Muhammad migrated to Medina, an event known as the Hegira. Following the conquest of Mecca, Arab power grew rapidly, expanding across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula within a century.

The Doctrine of Islam

Islam, meaning "submission," is recognized within the same monotheistic tradition as Judaism, with a strong insistence on the unity of God as revealed in the Quran (6,226 verses grouped into 114 surahs). The faith is built on the Five Pillars of Islam:

• Shahada: The profession of faith.
• Salah: Daily prayer.
• Zakat: Alms to the poor.
• Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
• Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.