Religious Culture
Explore the core doctrines, brilliant arts, and monumental architecture of the world's major religions to understand the spiritual world and values of different civilizations.
Buddhism
Buddhism originated in the 6th to 5th century BCE, founded by Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni) from the ancient Indian kingdom of Kapilavastu. It is one of the earliest world religions.
Its fundamental teachings include the "Four Noble Truths," the "Noble Eightfold Path," and the "Twelve Links of Dependent Origination." It advocates following the Three Baskets of scriptures—Sutras, Vinaya, and Abhidharma—and cultivating the Threefold Training of morality, meditation, and wisdom, with the ultimate goal of eliminating suffering and attaining enlightenment (becoming a Buddha).
Buddhist architecture, such as temples and pagodas, emphasizes harmony with nature. They are often built in mountains and forests, reflecting a spirit of tranquility and introspection.
Christianity
Christianity is a theistic religion based on the Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments. It holds the belief in original sin and faith in Jesus as the Son of God, who was crucified to atone for humanity's original sin and save humankind.
With a massive global following, Christianity is one of the most widely practiced religions in the world.
Its architecture, such as cathedrals and churches, is renowned for its grandeur, often featuring Gothic spires, stained glass windows, and Renaissance domes, all designed to elevate the faithful's spirit toward heaven.
Islam
Islam was founded in the early 7th century by Muhammad from Mecca in the Arabian Peninsula. The term "Islam" originally means "submission" and "peace," referring to submission to and faith in the will of Allah, the one and only creator of the universe.
Followers of Islam are collectively referred to as "Muslims."
The most representative features of its architecture, such as mosques, include large domes, minarets, and intricate geometric decorations. The interior spaces are vast and open, designed for collective worship.