Handout 2: Comparative Chart of Eastern Religions
Part of Building Bridges
|
Zoroastrianism |
Jainism |
Taoism |
Buddhism |
Confucianism |
|
|
Year |
600 BCE |
556 BCE |
550 BCE |
531 BCE |
500 BCE |
|
Country |
Iran |
India |
China |
India |
China |
|
Prophet / Founder |
Zoroaster (Zarathustra) |
Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara |
Lao Tzu |
Siddhartha Gautama |
K'ung-fu-tzu (Confucius) |
|
Followers |
2.6 Million |
4.2 M |
20 M |
360 M |
6 M |
|
Ahimsa |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Theistic |
Monotheistic: Ahura Mazda |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Karma |
No |
Yes |
Silent |
Yes |
No |
|
Rein-carnation |
No |
Yes |
Silent |
Yes |
No |
|
Gender equality |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Called a "philosophy" |
No |
Sometimes |
Yes |
Sometimes |
Yes |
NOTE: Ahimsa = Nonviolence; do no harm