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Main World Religions

As you study different cultures, you'll notice that religious beliefs are intertwined with the traditions and customs of the various countries. To communicate effectively with people from different cultural and religious backgrounds (both colleagues and customers), you need an overview of the main world religions.

Buddhism
Confucianism
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism

Buddhism

Buddhism originated in northern India in the fifth century BC. It evolved from Hinduism. Buddhism isn't so much a religion, as a way of life. It's a religion without a god.

Buddhists believe human beings are caught in the cycle of births and deaths. Death doesn't mean the end of existence, but a projection towards a new existence. The Buddhist way of life is one of moderation.

There's no distinction of caste, social class or ethnic origin, which means it's an egalitarian religion. The five precepts taught by Buddhism are:

Kill no living thing.
Don't steal.
Don't commit adultery.
Tell no lies.
Don't drink intoxicants or take drugs.

Buddhists have similar dietary restriction to Hindus. They're usually vegetarians and don't drink any alcohol. In its spread, Buddhism influenced thought and religion in other countries.? Over time, Buddhism has developed and adapted to other cultures. It has spread to many countries and can now be found in China, Tibet, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Burma and Vietnam. There are also Buddhist communities in Europe, the United States of America and Australia.

Religious festivals:

Fasting days are around the new moon.
Three festivals commemorating Buddha's life, enlightenment and death are celebrated. In some countries, they're celebrated together, in others separately.
New Year's and Harvest festivals are also celebrated.

Confucianism

Confucianism could be described as a philosophy of optimistic humanism. It has had a monumental impact upon the life, social structure and political philosophy of China for the last 2000 years.? Confucius founded it, in the fifth century BC. Confucianism is an ethical system, teaching how to get along with one's fellows. It deals with moral conduct and the ordering of society. Loyalty and devotion to the family is a top priority in Chinese life. Confucianism deals solely with life here on earth rather than the afterlife.? It does, however, take into consideration humanity's ultimate concerns.

The influence of Confucianism isn't confined to China. Nearby countries, such as Korea, Japan and Vietnam embrace Confucianism in their national life and culture. South Korea, for example, uses the Yin and Yang symbol in their national flag.

Christianity

Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians believe there is one God and that He created the universe and continues to care for it. Basing its belief in Jesus as the resurrected Son of God, or Messiah (Christ), Christianity spread throughout the world after the first century AD. Most Christians are members of one of three major groups Catholic, Protestant or Eastern Orthodox.

Christianity has had, and continues to have an enormous influence on western civilisation. Its teachings have a lasting effect on the conduct of business, government and social relations. To a follower of Christianity, Sunday is the holy day of rest.

The main festivals are:

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and is held on 25 December.
Lent a period of spiritual discipline for 40 days before Easter.
Easter commemorates the death (Good Friday) and resurrection (Easter Sunday) of Jesus Christ.

Hinduism

Hinduism originated in the Indus river region. Unlike other major religions such as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, Hinduism has evolved gradually over thousands of years.

Its complexity lies in the variety of sects that hold diverse beliefs. In principle, Hindus believe in reincarnation and are basically tolerant towards other religions. Hinduism has many deities that are frequently looked upon as manifestations of a high god.

Hindus are usually vegetarians and they have no set day of the week as a holy day. Attempts by scholars at a specific definition of Hinduism have always failed, as there are so many different aspects of this religion.

For the path of devotion, a Hindu must avoid all physical, mental, emotional and moral hurt to any living creature. Hindus follow an all-embracing way of life and culture, which leads them through the cycles of life, death and rebirth. Hindus believe in the caste system, which followers of the other major Asian religion, Buddhism, do not.

Hinduism is the major religion of India and other South Asian countries. Most Hindus live in India, where 83 per cent of the population is Hindu.? Hinduism in India affects family life, food, dress and architecture. Worship is individual and personal but festivals are a communal activity. The main festivals are:

Temple festival At least once a year the temple image is taken out in a public procession
Holi Spring festival (February-March)
Dasera Honour of the goddess Durga (September-October)
Divali Festival of Lights (the darkest night of the year, usually in October or November).

Islam

Islam is a major world religion, brought to the world by the prophet Muhammad in Arabia in the seventh century AD. The Arabic term Islam literally means surrender (to the Will of Allah).

The Islamic Scriptures are called the Qur'an (or Koran). The Qur'an is a guide for Muslims on all aspects of their lives spiritual, moral, social and economic. It teaches respect for parents. The Qur'an denounces gambling and the drinking of alcohol. The Islamic community adheres to the teachings of the Five Pillars of Islam. These include:

The profession of faith 'There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet.'
Prayer This means praying five times a day (daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and early in the night). For adult males it's important to participate in a congregational prayer on the most holy day of the week: Fridays at noon.
Almsgiving An obligatory tax of two and half per cent and certain property goes to charity.
Fasting During the month of Ramadan, Muslims mustn't eat, drink or smoke between sunrise and sunset.
Pilgrimage The fifth pillar is the pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca prescribed for every Muslim once in a lifetime if they have the means and are physically able.

Islam is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing religions. The largest communities exist in the Middle East, North Africa, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and central Asia. In Europe, Islam is the principal religion in western Turkey and Albania. We have a significant Islamic community in Australia.

The Qur'an also teaches moral and social conduct for the women in Islamic society. This may mean the wearing of the traditional veil and long, flowing black gown.

If, as a female, you have a managerial position, it may mean allowing the males in your hotel to deal with Muslim males. For a strict Muslim, it wouldn't be acceptable to deal with a non-Muslim female. In such a case and as a sign of respect a male manager should handle the situation.

Orthodox Muslims have strict dietary laws. Muslims eat beef, lamb and mutton, however these animals must be slaughtered according to prescribed Islamic rituals. This means that a Muslim slaughterman has to bleed the animal while it is still alive, reciting the name of Allah at the same time. Like the Jews, Muslims don't eat pork and alcohol isn't permitted.

Judaism

Judaism is the religion of the Jews, who comprise a worldwide religious and ethnic community. It's a total way of life spiritual and sociological. It's traditionally based on the belief in a unique divine revelation. Jews, like Christians, believe in one God.? One of the major differences is that Jews, unlike Christians, don't believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Judaism is a much older religion; Christianity and Islam developed from it.

The Jewish way of life includes worship, ceremonies and joyous festivals. Jewish tradition has strict dietary laws. You must be aware of these laws if you work in the hospitality industry.? There are permissible and prohibited foods. Permissible foods are described as kosher, which means fit and proper in relation to specific requirements.

Some of the main rules include the following:

fish which have both scales and fins may be eaten.
shellfish aren't permissible.
four-legged animals that have cloven hooves and chew their cud are permitted. Pork isn't permitted because it doesn't meet these criteria and is considered unclean.
domestic fowls may be eaten, but not birds of prey.
meat and dairy products may not be cooked together. This means maintaining separate sets of dishes and cutlery and separate catering/kitchen utensils. To cater successfully, two separate kitchens one for meat and one for dairy products are needed side by side.

To the Jews, Saturday is the holy day of rest. The Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset Saturday, at the time when it's calculated that three stars could be seen in the evening sky. On the Sabbath, Jews attend worship services in the synagogue and have special meals and family gatherings at home. Orthodox Jews don't work, travel or carry money on the Sabbath.

Some of the main festivals are:

Passover Festival of freedom which celebrates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt
Shavout Feast of Weeks, to celebrate the end of the corn harvest
Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year (September-October)
Yom Kippur Holiest Day of the Year (tenth day of the New Year) marked by 24 hours of abstinence from food and water.

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