The 5 oldest religions of the world that shaped human history

For thousands of years, mankind has been searching for answers to the most important questions of existence: where did we come from, what is the meaning of life, and what awaits us after death? These searches led to the creation of the most ancient religions, each of which became a unique reflection of the culture, history and philosophy of its time. They not only shaped the spiritual image of peoples, but also laid the foundations that still influence the worldview of billions of people. How did these beliefs arise, what ideas underlie them and what makes them relevant today? Let's dive into a fascinating journey to the origins of the world's oldest religions.

1. Jainism (around the 10th century B.C.)

This religion began in India with the enlightened master Rishabhanatha, who was the first Lord. The religion developed intensely mainly in the 6th century BC due to Mahavira who was the last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher). He established the fundamental rules that are still followed today and also strengthened the Jain faith.

For the Jains, the purpose of life is to attain enlightenment leading to nirvana. The followers of this religion believe in tirthankaras who are their preachers leading them on the righteous path. During worship, Jains recite mantras and make offerings in their temples. The Jain community is divided into two branches, Shwetambara and Digambara. The monks and nuns of the Shwetambara branch wear white robes, while the Digambara monks, on the other hand, remain naked to show their detachment from the world. Jainism has about ten million followers worldwide and about half of them live in India.

2. Hinduism (5th century B.C.)

Considered one of the oldest religions, Hinduism has no founder and is not an imposed dogma. It originated in the Indian subcontinent, which remains its primary homeland. It was during the Iron Age, which ranges between 1500 and 600 BC, that the four Vedas were written. According to tradition, the Vedas are texts that were revealed to the Rishis (Indian sages) and are the foundational principles of the religion.

Adherents of Hinduism believe in the authority of the Vedas because they believe them to be unchangeable, not revealed by the rishis in a human way. However, this view is divided among the philosophical schools and the Brahmanical traditions. Hinduism is basically a collection of philosophical, scientific, artistic and political concepts drawn from ancient traditions. Therefore, the practice of this religion, which originates from a very ancient oral tradition, is similar to animism. With the passage of time, Hinduism evolved and in the Middle Ages it was given a new life through theism. Hinduism as we know it today originated mainly because of this trend.

3. Buddhism (between the seventh and sixth centuries B.C.)

Buddhism is not only a religion but also a philosophy that emerged in India between the 7th and 6th centuries. This religion was born after the awakening of Siddhartha Gautama in the city of Bodhgaya and the spread of his teachings. In various schools of Buddhism, this religion consists of a number of meditative practices, rituals and theories of attaining enlightenment. 

There is no creator god in Buddhism, but worship of the Buddha, who is Siddhartha Gautama, is encouraged. His life was transcribed around the first century AD, almost five centuries after the awakening. These texts are based on oral tradition and give only a partial account of his life. The existence of the Buddha is not disputed, but the reliability of the sources is somewhat questionable.

It should also be noted that the history of this religion is full of pitfalls. It was persecuted several times by communists in China and Indochina, which led to its decline in the 20th century. Buddhism has also been criticised by many parties, including non-Buddhists and scholars. However, the religion has not been left behind, considering that in 2018, there were already around 623 million Buddhists in the world.

4. Zoroastrianism (c. 7th century BCE)

Originating in northern Iran between the second millennium BC and the middle of the first millennium BC, Zoroastrianism is one of the first monotheistic religions. It takes its name from the founding prophet Zoroaster or Zarathustra. The religion is also known as Mazdaism, after the main deity, Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrianism was founded through revelation in books in which the god Ahura Mazda is the creator of the universe and the creator of all worlds.

The prophet who founded the religion preached morality and taught several judgements and rules based on the dualism between good and evil. The basic principle of the religion is that since the creation of the world, there is a holy spirit, son of the god Ahura Mazda, and an evil spirit Ahriman. These two spirits interact within every being possessing a soul.

The teachings of the founder of the religion were passed on by word of mouth over time. After the advent of writing in Persia, the sacred texts were put into writing, which is what constitutes the Avesta (sacred scripture). Its followers venerate fire, which is the symbol of all things divine, and support the god in fire temples. This religion is still practised today, but tends to decline as many followers have converted to Islam.

5. Taoism (7th century B.C.)

Taoism is a religion based on the existence of the principle of Tao, the underlying principle of all things. Along with Buddhism and Confucianism, Taoism is one of the three pillars of Chinese thought. It is based on several texts: the Zhuangzi, the Tao De Jing and the Li Jieu. The first mention of this current dates back to the Yellow Emperor (2697-2598 BC), the first mythical emperor.

The religion employs a number of practices that have had a major impact on several countries in the Far East and the West in the 20th century. These practices include libertarian ethics used in literature and a sense of balance between yin and yang used in medicine. Other practices, such as quietist mysticism and the naturalism seen in art and calligraphy, also emerged through Taoism.

Conclusion

These religions have not just survived, they have become the foundations on which many modern worldviews are built. Despite their differences, they are united by the desire to find meaning in life and to establish harmony between the individual, society and the universe. Today, they continue to inspire, educate and raise questions that remain relevant. Perhaps it is in these ancient origins that the key to understanding our present and future lies.