The Timeline of Faith

Buddhism originated with Siddhartha Gautama, a prince from the Shakya clan in ancient India. Troubled by the existence of suffering, he renounced his royal life to seek enlightenment. After years of asceticism and meditation, he achieved enlightenment (Bodhi) under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha, or "the awakened one." His teachings, known as the Dharma, provide a path to liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

The earliest collection of Buddhist scriptures is the Tripitaka (Pali Canon), or "Three Baskets." It consists of the Sutta Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha), the Vinaya Pitaka (rules for monastic life), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical and psychological analyses). Like the Vedas, these were initially preserved through a strong oral tradition before being written down.

The two primary branches of Buddhism are Theravada ("The School of the Elders"), which is the oldest surviving school and emphasizes the individual's path to enlightenment (Arhat), and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"), which introduced the ideal of the Bodhisattva—an enlightened being who delays their own nirvana to help all sentient beings. Mahayana further diversified into numerous schools, including Zen and Tibetan Buddhism.

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion with a philosophy rooted in eternal, universal truths. Jains believe these truths are revealed in each era by a succession of 24 Tirthankaras (ford-makers). The last of these, Mahavira, lived in the 6th century BCE and is considered the figure who consolidated and propagated the core tenets of modern Jainism. The central goal is to achieve liberation of the soul (jiva) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) by shedding accumulated karma.

The sacred scriptures of Jainism are collectively known as the Agamas. These texts are based on the discourses of Mahavira, which were compiled by his disciples. The Agamas contain a vast body of knowledge on Jain metaphysics, ethics, cosmology, and the path to liberation.

The two main sects in Jainism are the Digambara ("sky-clad") and the Shvetambara ("white-clad"). The split occurred primarily over differences in monastic discipline, particularly regarding the practice of nudity for monks as a symbol of complete non-attachment. Digambara monks renounce all possessions, including clothing, while Shvetambara monks wear simple white garments.

Sikhism was founded in the Punjab region of India by Guru Nanak in the 15th century. It emerged in a context of conflict between Hindu and Muslim traditions, and its teachings are seen by many as a bridge between them, emphasizing the oneness of God (Ik Onkar) beyond religious divisions. Guru Nanak was the first of ten successive Gurus who developed and codified the faith.

The sacred scripture of Sikhism is the Guru Granth Sahib, which is unique in that it is considered the final, living Guru. It was compiled by the Sikh Gurus and consists of their teachings and the writings of various Hindu and Muslim saints whose thoughts were consistent with Sikh principles. The text is the ultimate spiritual authority for all Sikhs.

A major period of reform was the Singh Sabha Movement in the late 19th century. It arose to revive Sikhism's distinct identity, which was being absorbed into other traditions. The movement emphasized returning to the teachings of the Gurus, promoting education, and codifying Sikh practices, which helped establish a clear and separate Sikh identity in the modern era.

Christianity emerged from Second Temple Judaism in the Roman province of Judea, based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. His teachings, centered on love, forgiveness, and salvation, became the foundation of the new faith.

The Christian sacred scripture is the Bible, which consists of two parts. The Old Testament is largely comprised of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). The New Testament contains accounts of Jesus's life and ministry (the four Gospels), the history of the early Church (Acts of the Apostles), letters (Epistles) written by early Christian leaders like the Apostle Paul, and the Book of Revelation.

The first major split was the Great Schism of 1054, which divided Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East. A second major division occurred during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, which gave rise to thousands of Protestant denominations worldwide.

Islam began in the 7th century CE in the city of Mecca in the Arabian Peninsula. It is based on the revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad, who Muslims believe to be the final prophet in a line of prophets including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The core of his message was a return to pure monotheism—the worship of the one, indivisible God (Allah).

The sacred scripture of Islam is the Qur'an, which Muslims believe to be the literal word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 23 years. Unlike other scriptures, it is considered a direct, unaltered revelation. Alongside the Qur'an, the Hadith—collections of the Prophet's sayings and actions—provide a crucial source of guidance for Islamic law and daily life.

The most significant division in Islam occurred shortly after the Prophet's death, centered on the question of his rightful successor. This led to the split between Sunni and Shia Islam. Sunnis, who form the majority of Muslims, believed the leader should be elected from among the Prophet's companions. The Shia believed leadership should remain within the Prophet's family, starting with his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. This initial political disagreement evolved over centuries into distinct theological and legal traditions.