Hinduism                                 Hindus believe in Hinduism.

		Hinduism began in the ancient Indus Valley civilization from around 1500 BCE. Most Indians
		are Hindu.
		Hindus believe in reincarnation or rebirth, and that what a person does affects their future.
		People who perform religious duties faithfully and behave well in life will be reborn into a
		better life, perhaps into a high-caste family.
		Hindus traditionally believed in the caste system, and whatever caste you were born into
		stayed the same throughout your life.
		Hindus believe in a supreme being that has many forms or many gods and goddesses—
		some human-like, some animal-like, some a mix.

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Buddhism                        Buddhists believe in Buddhism

		Buddhism began in north India in the 6th or 5th century BCE by Siddharth Gautama.
		Siddhartha was a prince.  He was kept inside the palace.  Against his father’s wishes he
		went outside the palace.  When he saw suffering (sickness, death, old age) he decided to leave home and wander to find the meaning of life.  Eventually he meditated under a Bodhi tree and became enlightened and was called the Buddha.  His teaching is often symbolised by a wheel (check the Indian flag).
		Buddhism spread from India to Southeast Asia, China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan and Tibet.
		It is a way to escape from suffering and rebirth through meditating and spiritual exercises.
		In Buddhism, the ways to end suffering include telling the truth, positive thinking, letting go of
		wants, acting with kindness, and earning a living without causing harm to others.

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Jainism                                Jains believe in Jainism.

		Jainism began in India in 6th century BCE (or earlier).
		The most important person in early Jainism was Mahavira who became an ascetic who
		wandered naked eating only the food he received from begging.
		Jains believe in conquering feelings of hate and friendship to all living forms.  They do this
		by nonviolence; not lying; not taking what has not been given; nonpossession -- some people believe this even includes no clothes!
		Some wear white robes and masks so they don’t breathe in insects or microbes.
		Mahatma Gandhi was raised as a Jain.

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Sikhism                         Sikhs believe in Sikhism

		Sikhism began in the 15th century.
		Guru Nanak was a Hindu in Northern India in an area called Punjab.  He saw how the Muslim
		Mughal empire had conquered most of N. India and he did not like the fighting between Hindus and Muslims.  He believed that God is not defined by any religion.  He spent his life teaching and traveling.
		Sikhs believe in equality and service to others.  Men and women are equal, and people of all
		castes are equal.
		Meals are served at Sikh temples and everyone sits on the ground to show they are equal.
		These free meals serve thousands of poor people in India every day.
		Sikhs do not cut their hair, so Sikh men wear a turban to wrap their hair on top of their head.
		They do not cut their beards either.

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Islam                            Muslims believe in Islam.

		Islam began in Mecca (now in Saudi Arabia) in the year 610.
		Muslims believe Mohammad was God’s final prophet (other prophets were Moses and
		Jesus).  They believe God spoke the words of the Koran to Mohammad.
		Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam:

1. There is no God but one God.
   
2. Pray five times each day facing Mecca.
   
3. Fast daily during the month of Ramadan.
   
4. Give alms—money for the poor or charities.
   
5. All healthy Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life.
   

		Muslims often worship in a mosque, but believe the whole world is a mosque and a person
		can pray anywhere.
		After Mohammad’s death Islam spread beyond Arabia, into Asia, Africa and Europe.

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