This is the first in a three part series on Comparative Religion. In Part I, we will review Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, as well as establish the framework in which to examine religion. In Part II, we will provide insights into Judaism, Christianity, Religious Science, Unity, Unitarian Universalism, and Scientology. In Part III, we will delve into Paganism, Wicca, Atheism, Agnostics, and Satanism, and consider the role of religion as a whole to basic human questions, as well as contemporary issues.

What is the role of religion in the contemporary world? What do religions have in common with each other and with spirituality? Why are people religious? What exists within religion that keeps it alive age after age, all across the globe?

While a dictionary definition of religion might seem tempting to most; it does little to explain the true meaning and power that religion has demonstrated in our world. One thing we know about religion for sure: it is distinctively a practice of human animals. While one might be tempted to ask why the indication of religion as a strictly human custom is a necessary precursor to an exposition of the subject itself; one must remember that establishing a referential framework within which to study something is always the best way to begin.

Religion plays no role in the plant or animal kingdom—at least that we know of. While religions differ on how to answer existential questions such as, “what does it mean to be a human being?” we know one thing for certain: we each possess a faculty with which to reason. Whether or not you subscribe to a dualistic or non-dualistic conception of reality; no one can deny that we each have the unique capability of even asking the question “who am I?” in the first place. Therefore, we must first know that religion has something to do with how the human mind relates to its world and asks the very questions that form the bedrock of its existence.

We also know that many “minds” think alike in some ways, while differing in others. As history progressed, humans formed religions as a response to the questions they asked about themselves and their world. Many people are “raised” within a particular religious tradition. This means that one grows up within the world with a pre-formed orientation to it. For instance, a person “raised” as a Christian usually believes that the entire world exists within the framework set forth by Christianity; origins lie within creationism, and life after death takes place in one of two locations: heaven and hell. A person who is raised as an Atheist would not be oriented to the world in this same way, unless their religious and philosophical beliefs and traditions dramatically changed within the course of their own life time.

Therefore, the first thing we must do is take notice of how religions orient us to the world. Even one who says he or she has “no religion” still interacts with the world on this belief system of “no belief,” if you will. Religion acts as a means of how one interacts with the whole universe. Let us look now with an open mind at how some religions provide these means of interaction, remembering that we all have the right to relate to everything in our own and natural way.

Also, this is a very general overview of religions, and their philosophies and doctrines, and is not meant to encompass all the sects, branches, and exceptions that take place.

Hinduism – Hinduism originated in the Indus Valley and may date as far back as 1500 B.C.E. Hinduism cannot necessarily be defined or described by one term like “theism,” “monotheism,” or “pantheism;” its philosophical precepts and functional expressions vary too much.

Much of Hinduism is derivative of the traditional view of the world that developed in India: 1.) desire is a problem in that desire is the fundamental root of human problems; 2.) attachment to a ‘self’ or ‘ego’ is also rooted in desire and causes a dilemma that can trap us and thwart our growth and spiritual progress; 3.) we must overcome desire to achieve transformation; 4.) karma (comes from the Sanskrit word for action) explains facets of humanity in that it accounts for the cause and effect behavior we witness in modern science; 5.) Life is cyclical (cycles of rebirth leading toward liberation or “nirvana”) as opposed to linear (typical of Western religions that teach a progression from life to death and the afterlife); 6.) we have a duty (dharma) to pursue liberation and pattern our life accordingly; 7.) not following dharma results in chaos and failure.

Again, this is a very general account of the worldview developed in India and does not account for all possibilities and exceptions. Religions like Hinduism and Buddhism dealt with this worldview in different ways, and in addition to that, practitioners of these religions also vary on these perspectives.

In Hinduism, the Vedas are recognized as the most sacred writings, which consist of four books—the earliest and most recognized of which is the Rig-Veda. This book is addressed to several deities. The Upanishads comprise the basis for most of the later philosophical considerations in religious Indian thought and name “Brahman” as the one principle of unity in the entire cosmos—the prime Reality from which all other reality is derived. Each of us in an “Atman”- an eternal soul- that is in truth at one with the Brahman. Desire, however, attaches us to the false notion of a separate self; this separate self performs the actions and suffers the consequences of karma because our true self (Atman) is unchanging and eternal. This entraps us in the cycle of birth and rebirth, until we come to the truth of our eternal self and achieve liberation.

In general, Hindus believe in moral concepts like non-violence, compassion, self-discipline, generosity, and purity. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (respectively: creator, preserver, destroyer) form a Trinity of deities that are worshipped.

Buddhism – Siddhartha Gautama, the recognized founder of Buddhism (although he never called himself as such) lived from around 566 to 486 B.C.E. Buddhism began in India but later spread to China, Japan, Korea and beyond; culminating in the founding of the World Fellowship of Buddhism in 1952.

Buddhism began in the tradition of the Theravada schools; the Mahayana schools started developing around 200 A.D. The Theravada school of Buddhism dominated Southeast Asian nations, while Mahayana Buddhism spread into East Asia, and became the primary form of Buddhism in Japan, China, and Korea.

Most Buddhists follow what is known as the Four Noble Truths, which were expressed by Siddhartha Gautama in his Deer Park sermon. These truths generally posit that: 1.) life involves suffering and is painful; 2.) the cause of this pain and suffering is desire; 3.) it is possible to overcome suffering; 4.) the way to overcoming suffering and pain is the way of the eightfold path. We see how these noble truths relate to the larger world view developing in India at this time.

In Buddhism, the eightfold path sets forth: 1.) right belief; 2.) right aspiration; 3.) right speech; 4.) right conduct; 5.) right livelihood; 6.) right endeavor; 7.) right mindfulness; 8.) right meditation.

Of course Buddhists differ on the interpretations of elements of this path. For instance, in the notion of “right conduct,” or action, some Buddhists may teach that taking in any intoxicants whatsoever (including alcohol) is not permitted at all. However, another Buddhist may believe that drinking alcohol is acceptable, as long as one does not drink so much that they become clumsy and clueless.

Again, we must remember that we are speaking of Buddhism here in very general terms. Although one might attribute the four noble truths and the eight fold paths to the school of Theravada Buddhism; we can agree that many Buddhists practice these precepts. Also, remember that like all religions, Buddhism in the West is not necessarily precisely like the Buddhism practiced in the East.

Taoism – The traditional date of Lao Tzu’s birth is recognized as 604 B.C., although this date as well as his historical existence is still debated by modern historical scholars. While Lao Tzu is recognized as a philosopher, ‘religious’ Taoism emerged from his philosophies several centuries later. Chuang Tzu, and Liehzi are recognized as the two other most important figures of Taoism, and like Lao Tzu, they are also viewed as philosophical figures. It is important to note that when these individuals wrote texts and talked about theories on the world and reality, they were not trying to start a religion. The students and followers of these figures bear the responsibility for the religion of Taoism that started some years later.

We must also notice however, that the distinction drawn between philosophy and religion in the West is not as clear cut in the East. Therefore, we see that just as religious beliefs orient us to the world in a certain manner, the terrain we occupy within the world forms the basis for our orientation as well. Linguistics has shown that the language we grow up with also affects our cognition.

Angela Edward-Mangione is dedicated to helping humanity achieve better overall health – mental, physical, and spiritual - and allows this commitment to underlie her service to the community as our new Associate Editor. You can reach her by