Submitted to : Sayar Myo Chit

Submitted by : Lay Wah Phaw

Date : 21.4.2024

Course Title : World Religion

Major Religious

Did you know that Myanmar is home to a variety of religious and ethnic groups? Actually,

ethnic diversity can be found not only in Myanmar but also throughout the world. Each group

has its own set of beliefs, customs, rituals, and moral guidelines that shape their way of life

and understanding of the world. Religion often involves a belief in a higher power or powers,

like a god or gods, and provides answers to life's mysteries and the afterlife. Across the globe,

there are numerous religions with their own special beliefs, practices, and traditions. Some of

the most widespread world religions include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and

Judaism, each with millions of followers and a profound impact on human history. For

thousands of years, religion has been an integral part of human culture, influencing societies

and guiding cultural norms. Religion continues to play an important role in society today,

shaping our values and beliefs. Religion is a big deal in society. It helps shape our norms,

values, and traditions, bringing people together and giving them a sense of community. It's

like a hug when things get tough, offering comfort and support when we need it most. Many

folks look to religion to find meaning in life and figure out all those big questions about why

we're here and what's real. There are all kinds of ways that people practice their faith. Some

religions have fancy rituals like prayer, meditation, fasting, and going on pilgrimages. Others

focus more on a personal spiritual journey and self-reflection. Holidays and festivals are also

a big part of the religious experience, giving believers a chance to come together and

celebrate their faith.

Religion, with all its good intentions, has unfortunately caused a lot of conflict and division

over the years. Differences in beliefs have sparked wars, persecution, and discrimination

against minority groups. Some extreme interpretations of religious teachings have even been

used to justify violence and oppression. Thankfully, there is a positive shift happening in

many parts of the world towards secularism and religious pluralism. More and more people

are exploring alternative spiritual practices that align with their personal values and beliefs.

This is creating a more diverse and inclusive understanding of spirituality that goes beyond

traditional religious boundaries. It's great to see people questioning and evolving their beliefs

in such a peaceful and open-minded way.

Firstly, Judaism is a religion that has been practiced for thousands of years by the Jewish

people. It is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world, meaning that it believes in

only one God. It is based on the covenant between God and the Jewish people as described

in the Hebrew Bible. Jews believe in one God and follow the commandments outlined in the

Torah, which includes ethical and ritual laws. One of the key beliefs in Judaism is the idea of

a covenant, or agreement, between God and the Jewish people. This covenant is based on the

belief that God chose the Jewish people to be his chosen people and gave them a set of laws

and commandments to follow. Judaism also places a strong emphasis on community and

tradition. Jewish people gather together in synagogues to worship and celebrate important

holidays and festivals such as Passover, Hanukkah, and Yom Kippur. These traditions help to

strengthen the bond between Jewish people and their faith. Hence, Judaism is a rich and

complex religion that has played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of the
Jewish people. It continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for millions of people

around the world.

Then, Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with over two billion followers. It is

based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the son of God. Christians

believe in the Holy Trinity, which consists of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God

the Holy Spirit. They also believe in the Bible as the sacred text that contains the word of

God. Christians worship in churches and read the Bible, which is the holy book of

Christianity.

The Bible is divided into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old

Testament tells the story of God's relationship with the Jewish people, while the New

Testament focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus died on the

cross to save humanity from sin and that he rose from the dead three days later. One of the

most important beliefs in Christianity is the idea of forgiveness. Christians believe that God

forgives them for their sins if they repent and ask for forgiveness. They also believe in the

importance of showing love and compassion to others, following Jesus' example. Christians

gather together in churches to worship, pray, and learn about their faith. They celebrate

important holidays such as Christmas and Easter, which commemorate the birth and

resurrection of Jesus. Many Christians also participate in rituals such as baptism and

communion, which symbolize their faith in Jesus.Overall, Christianity is a religion that

teaches its followers to love God, love others, and live according to the teachings of Jesus. It

is a source of comfort, guidance, and hope for many people around the world.

Islam is a religion practiced by many people all around the world. The Prophet Muhammad

established it in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century. The holy book of Islam is known

as the Quran, which Muslims consider to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Muslims go to mosques to worship and pray facing the Kaaba in Mecca five times a day.
This daily practice, called Salah, is a significant part of a Muslim's routine. Fasting during the

month of Ramadan is another important aspect of Islam, where Muslims refrain from eating

or drinking from dawn until sunset as a way to cleanse their spirits. One of the main teachings

in the Islamic faith is the belief in only one God, Allah. Muslims also see charity, known as

Zakat, as crucial, where they must donate a portion of their wealth to help those who are less

fortunate. Islam instructs its believers to lead a life of goodness and to show kindness and

empathy towards others. It highlights the significance of truthfulness, modesty, and

consideration for everyone. Muslims are motivated to adhere to the lessons of Prophet

Muhammad and to work towards their own improvement and spiritual growth.

Additionally, Buddhism is a faith that began in ancient India and is centered on the wisdom

of Siddhartha Gautama, later referred to as the Buddha. The main principles of Buddhism

focus on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which provide instructions for living

a purposeful and satisfying life. The Four Noble Truths help us understand suffering and

show us how to overcome it. They tell us that suffering is a normal part of life, comes from

our attachments and desires, can be conquered, and can be eliminated by following the

Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of eight guidelines that Buddhists aim to adhere to

in order to lead a well-balanced and moral life. These guidelines encompass having the

correct understanding, intentions, speech, actions, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and

concentration. "Buddhists follow the idea of karma, which says that our actions have effects

in this life and future lives. By doing good things and developing positive qualities like

kindness, giving, and knowledge, people can make good karma and move closer to

enlightenment on their spiritual path." One of the main beliefs in Buddhism is the concept of

impermanence. This teaches that everything is impermanent and always changing. Buddhists

are encouraged to practice acceptance and not be attached to material things or worldly

desires. To summarize, Buddhism emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, compassion,

and mindfulness for finding inner peace and enlightenment. Buddhists practice meditation,

study, and ethical living to grow in wisdom and to reduce suffering for themselves and those

around them.

In addition, Hinduism is an old religion that started in India and is one of the oldest belief

systems in the world. It is a complex faith with many different beliefs, practices, and rituals.

The key concepts in Hinduism are dharma, karma, and moksha. Dharma is the moral duty

that individuals should follow based on their social position, age, and gender. It guides people

on how to live a good life and fulfill their responsibilities to society and the divine. Karma is

the idea that every action has consequences, in this life and future lives. Hindus believe that

by doing good deeds and living a virtuous life, they can build up positive karma and have

better future lives. Moksha is the main goal in Hinduism, which is being free from the cycle

of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). It is attained through spiritual knowledge, self-

realization, and letting go of worldly desires. Hinduism also has many gods and goddesses

representing different aspects of the divine. Some well-known deities are Brahma, Vishnu,

and Shiva. Hindu worship often involves rituals, prayers, and offerings carried out at temples

or in homes. Important Hindu festivals like Diwali and Holi are celebrated with great

excitement and mark significant events in Hindu mythology.

In conclusion, there are many religious and religion in the world and different people who

worship their own god or gods. Even though that kind of cases appear nowadays for many

reasons, we can say that these are common case for us not to feel awkward. You might think

and ask me some question on that statement but I have a specific answer which is in these

days people who have no god to worship and praise for their lives that we can called them

and everyone knows that as atheist. Having conflicts between different religious and unusual

traditions is ordinary obstacle for us, the thing that is not familiar with us is appearing atheist

and spreading rumors around environment to make the world and the people dive into the
sins drawback to the worse situation. So, this is a gentle reminder for the readers and

including me not face the case that I mentioned above and try to save the world and us to get

regrets by following the evils words and persuaded from devils. The thing that we have to do

is to follow our God’s words and listen what our God’s said in our own religion. What is your

opinion?
References
https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/buddhism-myanmar

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Judaism

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity

htt https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nursingfundamentals/chapter/18-3-common-religions-and-

religious-practices/ps://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam

https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/world-religions-beliefs

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/sj14-soc-religmap/world-religions-map/