The human way of life is influenced by religion, which is recognised as one of the factors of culture, laws, and history. It also provides a method to connect to mysteries like the presence of God, spiritual beliefs, or communal tradition through rituals, prayer, and meditation.

Some of these ancient cultural determinants have been there for as long as mankind and are still in use now, even in the digital age, according to archaeological records, conjectures, and other sources that are up for discussion.

These are the world’s 5 oldest religions.

HinduismDescribed as Sanātana Dharma, or “eternal order,” it originated in South Asian countries such as India and is regarded as the oldest and earliest religion in the world.

This old religion, which has its roots in ancient civilisation that dates back to around 1500 BCE, incorporates ancient customs and beliefs rather than having a single religious scripture or founder.

The Rig Veda is this religion’s oldest text, and it is around 3,500 years old.

Hinduism has four objectives: Dharma, or leading a moral life; Kama, or enjoying the senses; Artha, or obtaining prosperity and success in a legal manner; and Moksha, or being freed from rebirth. Varanasi, Haridwar, Ayodhya, Badrinath, and Mathura are a few of the sacred locations.

Judaism

Although Judaism was formally established by Moses on Mount Sinai when he received the Ten Commandments, it may be traced back to the convenient God created with Abraham approximately 2000 BCE.

Unlike Hinduism, Judaism contains a number of sacred writings, the most significant of which being the Torah, which is a portion of the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible. The worship of a single God who desires justice and love is at the heart of Judaism. Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed, and Tiberias are a few of the sacred locations.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroaster, a prophet and reformer, established Zoroastrianism in the sixth century in ancient Persia, which is now Iran. Zoroastrianism shares several key ideas with Islam and Christianity. Heaven, Hell, and the idea that there is only one God are examples.

Zoroaster himself is credited with writing the Arara, a sacred book in Zoroastrianism that is filled with hymns and instructions. Abarkuh, Ahura Mazda, and the City of Yazd are a some of the places of worship.

Jainism

One of the oldest religions, Jainism was established in the sixth century BCE and is spiritually similar to Buddhism and Hinduism in India.

Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last prophet (Tirthankaras), established Jainism, which is distinguished by its teachings and ideals of non-violence, non-possessiveness, and asceticism. Sammed Shikharji, Girnar, Deogarh, Pawapuri, and Ranakpur are a few of the places of worship.

Buddhism

The origins of Buddhism can be found in Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who was born 2500 years ago in what is now Napalm. He abandoned his lavish lifestyle after seeing the suffering of an ordinary person and became a Buddha while sitting under the Bodhi tree, also known as the tree of awakening, after enlightenment and reflection on the meaning of life.

“Existence is suffering (dukhka); suffering has a cause, namely craving and attachment (trishna); there is a possibility of cessation of suffering, which is nirvana; there is a path to the cessation of suffering,” are the four noble truths of Buddhist teachings that are intended to begin followers on their path to ultimate release from the never-ending cycle of birth and death.

Around 483 BCE, soon after the Buddha’s passing, the first Buddhist assembly took place. Among the sacred locations are Lumbini, Kushinagar, Bodhgaya, and Sarnath.