World Religions

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in 5th century BC; Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

Spread from India across Asia; Theravada (South Asia), Mahayana (East Asia), Vajrayana (Tibet)

B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in 1956 with 500,000 Dalits — largest mass religious conversion in history

Founded on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; 2.4 billion followers — largest religion on Earth

St. Thomas the Apostle reportedly brought Christianity to Kerala in 52 AD — one of the world's oldest Christian communities

Vedas, Bible, Quran, Tripitaka, Granth Sahib, Avesta — the foundational texts of world religions

India is the world's most religiously diverse democracy; 80% Hindu, 14% Muslim, 2.3% Christian, 1.7% Sikh

Varanasi, Mecca, Jerusalem, Bodh Gaya, Vatican, Amritsar — the spiritual capitals of the world

World's oldest living religion (4,000+ years); Dharma, Karma, Moksha and the eternal cycle of life

India's two great epics; Ramayana by Valmiki; Mahabharata world's longest poem with 100,000 verses

4 Vedas — the oldest scriptures of humanity; Upanishads are philosophical dialogues on existence

Founded by Prophet Muhammad in 7th century Arabia; Quran is the holy book; 1.9 billion followers

Islam spread to India via Arab traders (7th century), Sufi saints and Mughal rulers; 200 million Muslim Indians

Ancient Indian religion; Mahavira (599 BC) was its 24th Tirthankara; Ahimsa and asceticism are core

Founded by Guru Nanak (1469); 10 Gurus; Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal living Guru; 25 million Sikhs