Tag: religion in the sixth century bce

Jesus Christ entrusted the responsibility of spreading his teachings and helping the people in distress to his twelve disciples. They are called as apostles. Most important among them was Saint Peter. He went to Rome and established a Church and sent missionaries all over the world to spread the gospel.Today, this Church has become the most important religious centre for the Catholics of the world.

The Pope called upon the Christians to fight Crusades against Turks because he wanted to liberate Jerusalem, a sacred place of Christians from the occupation of Turks.

Zoroastrianism, Mazdayasna, is one of the world's oldest religions that remains active. It is a monotheistic faith, centered in a dualistic cosmology of good and evil and an eschatology predicting the ultimate destruction of evil. Ascribed to the teachings of the Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster, it exalts a deity of wisdom, Ahura Mazda, as its Supreme Being. Major features of Zoroastrianism, such as messianism, judgment after death, heaven and hell, and free will have influenced other.

Taoism, or Daoism, is a religious or philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao. The Tao is a fundamental idea in most Chinese philosophical schools; in Taoism, however, it denotes the principle that is the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists. Taoism differs from Confucianism by not emphasizing rigid rituals and social order, but is similar in the sense that it is a teaching about the various disciplines for achieving "perfection.

Ashoka was a Hindu by birth but he followed Hinduism till Kalinga War only. After Kalinga War, he transformed from Hindu to Buddhist.  He embraced Buddha's teachings of love and non-violence and denounced the war as state policy. He decided to conquer the hearts of his subjects.

Buddhism arose in northeastern India sometime between the late 6th century and the early 4th century BCE. At that time, there was major discontent  with Brahmanic (Hindu high-caste) sacrifice and ritual. Buddhism is a religion that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings of the Buddha.

Zoroastrianism is an ancient pre-Islamic religion of Iran. The descendants of Zoroastrian Iran (Persia) immigrants are known as Parsis. Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three Persian dynasties, until the Muslim conquest of Persia in 7th century AD. Zoroaster is regarded as the founder of the religion. Many Parsis escaped Muslim persecution in Iran by emigrating to India. 

Confucius (551-479 BC) was a contemporary of Mahavir and Gautam Buddha. He was a Chinese philosopher and teacher whose ethical and political theories have deep impact even in modern China. He interlinked the morality of government and personal life. He emphasized that morality should begin at personal level and it will lead to honesty in public sphere. He was a champion of family values like respecting elders, parents etc which will automatically translate into respecting rules and laws.  

Suddodhana was the father of Gautama Buddha. He was the leader of Shakya tribe.