10 Of The Oldest Religions In The World: Its Origin, Sacred Sites And Impact Across Regions

The world’s earliest religions emerged from geographic landscapes, human civilizations, cultural exchanges, and evolving societies. While most religions preach that their teachings have been around since the beginning of time, it is only a few ancient faiths that have stood the test of time. Today, a few of the oldest religions in the world are still in practice. Religions across the world offers a fascinating window into how people understood life, the universe, spirituality and morality. With this guide, we explore 10 of the oldest religions in the world, its origins, sacred sites, and its impact across regions.

How Did These Religions Originate

Both in the ancient world and in the Middle Ages, approaches to religion were a result of attempts to criticize or defend particular systems. Further, it was aimed at interpreting religion in harmony with changes in knowledge. Religions became global as commercial and cultural interaction between people across large areas was shared. These religious systems were the foundations of cultural communication and moral expectation. Because of this, people were meeting, sharing ideas, and doing business with one another beyond specific geographies. People were quick to adapt to religion because it provided structure and meaning, the same kind that is offered when one is part of a tight-knit community. Religious texts and tenets were able to speak to large groups of people, offering them a new kind of meaning and helping them define a purpose for their lives.

What Are The Oldest Religions In The World?

Tracing the exact beginning of each religion is difficult because many traditions evolved gradually. Some of the major cultural traditions of Europe, the Middle East, India, and China have been independent over extended periods of time. Due to this, no single history of the study of religion exists. Most of what we know about the oldest religions of the world today are based on suppositions, archaeological records, ancient manuscripts, and other sources that are subject to debate.

Each faith has its own outlook, belief and practices. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic. Hinduism, Buddhism and Daoism provide space for the worship of numerous powerful gods and goddesses in various incarnations.

10 Oldest Religions In The World

It is natural to be curious about the inception of religion as we know it, as well as which religions have shaped the human experience into what it is today. So, here we’ve listed some of the oldest religions in the world based on common scholarly beliefs. 

1. Hinduism

Origin: Indus River Valley, Modern-Day Pakistan & Northwest India
Estimated Beginning: 2300–1500 BCE

Important Sites: Varanasi, Haridwar, Ayodhya, Badrinath, Mathura

Hinduism is widely considered the world’s oldest religion that is still in practice. And going by this belief it can also be considered as the world’s first religion that is still practiced. This ancient religion does not have a particular founder or a single religious text. Instead, it combines many ancient traditions and beliefs. The Rig Veda is known to be the oldest scripture of Hinduism, dating back nearly 3,500 years.

According to Hinduism, the four goals in an individual’s life include:

Dharma: living a virtuous life

Kama: the pleasure of the senses

Artha: achieving wealth and success lawfully

Moksha: release from reincarnation

Archaeologists have also discovered bull and cow motifs, considered sacred animals in Hinduism, dating back to around 7,000 BCE. Millions of people around the world continue to practice the teachings of Hinduism, largely concentrated in India, Nepal, and parts of Southeast Asia.

Also Read: See These Beautiful Hindu Temples From Around The World

2. Judaism

Origin: Southern Levant — Modern-Day Israel, Palestine & Jordan
Estimated Beginning: Circa, 2000 BCE

Important Sites: Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed, Tiberias

Judaism was officially founded by Moses, although Jewish history traces it back to Abraham, who is considered to be the ancestor of the Jewish people. Being one of the oldest religions in the world, Judaism has several sacred texts but the most important is the Torah, which is part of a larger text known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible.

Modern Judaism is divided into three main movements:

Reform Judaism – more liberal and relaxed approach

Orthodox Judaism – conservative and retains nearly all traditional practices and rituals

Conservative Judaism: a moderate approach to Jewish practices

3. Zoroastrianism

Origin: Ancient Persia — Modern-Day Iran
Estimated Beginning: Circa 1,500 BC

Important Sites: City of Yazd, Abarkuh, Ahura Mazda

Zoroastrianism was officially founded in the 6th Century BCE by the prophet and reformer Zoroaster. Archaeological evidence shows that the religion’s roots trace back to 1,200-1,500 BCE. It was also the official religion of Persia from 600 BCE to 650 BCE.

Core beliefs of the religion are:

• Worship of only one God called Ahura Mazda, the supreme God.
• A dualistic focusing on — good vs evil, heaven vs hell

At one point in time, it was considered to be one of the most powerful religions in the world. It shares many major concepts with religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

4. Jainism

Origin: India
Estimated Beginning: Circa 600 BCE

Important Sites: Sammed Shikharji, Girnar, Deogarh, Pawapuri, Ranakpur

Jainism is an ancient religion from India that shares similar beliefs and traditions with Hinduism and Buddhism. Jainism does not have a single religious text that its believers refer to. Instead, adherents believe that the truth has been revealed at different times by Tirthankaras (prophets). These prophets have achieved the highest spiritual goal of existence. Followers of the religion believe that there have been 24 Tirthankaras so far. The last of these was Mahavira, who is considered the founder of Jainism.

5. Buddhism

Origin: Indian Subcontinent — Modern-Day Nepal & India
Estimated Beginning: 600–400 BCE

Important Sites: Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar

Buddhism traces its origins to one founder Siddhartha Gautama, who was allegedly a prince born in modern-day Nepal, 2,500 years ago. Siddhartha left behind his opulent life after witnessing human suffering for the first time ever. He contemplated the meaning of life and attained enlightenment and transformed into the Buddha, sitting beneath the Bodhi tree (the tree of awakening). Ever since all followers of Buddhism practice his peaceful teachings and seek the path of enlightenment.

Four noble truths of Buddhist teachings:

Magga – path to the cessation of suffering.

Dukkha – Existence is suffering

Trishna – suffering has a cause namely craving and attachment.

Nirodha – cessation of suffering, which means there is a possibility of cessation of suffering.

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6. Taoism

Origin: China
Estimated Beginning: Circa 500 BCE

Important Sites: Mount Qingcheng, Wudang Mountain, Longhu Mountain, Qiyun Mountain

Also known as Daoisim, this ancient religion is primarily based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a short book containing the teachings of Lao Tzu. It places great emphasis on spiritual harmony within the individual. Prior to the Communist Revolution, Taoism was one of China’s strongest religions and is also practiced in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe and America.

There are two major schools of Taoism:

Philosophical Taoism (Tao-chia) which tends to focus on the writings of Lao Tzu.

Religious Taoism (Tao-chiao) which emphasises religious rituals aimed at attaining immortality.

7. Confucianism

Origin: Northern China
Estimated Beginning: Circa 500 BCE

Important Sites: Temples of Confucius Qufu and Beijing

Confucianism is recognized as a religion, but not practiced as a traditional, organized one. It gets its name from its founder Confucius (an Anglicization of his actual name K’ung-fu-tzu or Master K’ung). Confucius was interested in reviving the values and beliefs of the Zhou dynasty. Believers of Confucianism see it as a system of social and ethical philosophy. Over time, Confucianism has had a strong impact on the spiritual and political life of the Chinese people. Its influence has made its way to many parts of East Asia including Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.

8. Shintoism

Origin: Japan
Estimated Beginning: Circa 700 BCE

Important Sites: Nachi Falls, Ise Grand Shrine

Many believe that Shinto officially began only after Buddhism was introduced to Japan around the 6th Century BCE. However, archaeological records mention that Shinto’s roots date back to 700 BCE with some documents dating back even further. Many Buddhist elements are mixed into the Shinto faith and traditions. Shinto has no founder and no official sacred scriptures. The ruling aristocracy declared Shinto to be Japan’s state religion during the Meiji Period (1868 – 1912). Shinto and Buddhism continue to remain an intrinsic part of Japanese society and culture.

Guiding principles of the Shinto religion:

The belief in the importance and beauty of nature is also integral to this religion.

Everything possesses a spiritual essence or energy called ‘kami’. Mountains, rivers, places, animals, and people are said to have ‘kami’ within them.

9. Christianity

Origin: Judea — Modern-Day Middle East
Estimated Beginning: Circa 30 CE

Important Sites: Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Capernaum

Christianity is one of the oldest religions in the world which has birthed out of Judaism. It is formed and based around the life, death and teachings of a Jewish person called Jesus Christ. Just like in Judaism, Christianity is a monotheistic religion where they believe that there is only one God. The main teachings of Christianity are centred on loving everyone, having goodness, humility, self-control and faithfulness. With more than 2.4 billion people following Christianity, it is the most widely practiced organized religion in the world.

Sacred book of Christianity, the Bible is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament:

The Old Testament – The first division of the Bible explains the creation of the World and about the Ten Commandments by God.

The New Testament – The second division of the Bible focuses more on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

10. Islam

Origin: Arabian Peninsula — Modern-Day Saudi Arabia
Estimated Beginning: 610 CE

Important Sites: Mecca & Medina

Just like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is also monotheistic. The word Islam means “submission to the will of God.” They believe that Prophet Muhammad was sent by God to spread the teachings of their faith and share his divine word. The Quran, the most sacred text in the Islamic faith, is written as if Allah himself wrote it. With more than 1.9 billion people practicing Islam worldwide, it is the second-largest religion in the world.

Five key pillars of Islam:

Hajj – to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once.

Shahada – to declare one’s faith.

Salah – to pray 5 times a day: in the morning, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening.

Zakat – to give to and help those in need.

Sawm – to take part in Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting.

What Does Studying The World’s Oldest
Religions Reveal

It is always an incredibly fascinating journey to understand how religion has evolved over the years and what it has morphed into in today’s modern times. Religion has been a driving factor in the lives of many individuals and has a major impact on worldviews and the way they choose to lead their lives. Understanding the oldest religion in the world helps us see what ideas and beliefs we have chosen to discard and what we have considered worthy enough to keep around.

Suggested Reads: What Is Religious Tourism And What Are The Challenges It Is Facing?

Conclusion

As time progressed, the nature of religion began to be questioned alongside the growth of various disciplines like sociology and psychology. These fields offered a more analytical approach to religion while theology became more sophisticated, basing itself on science. This promoted an interdisciplinary study of religion and its origin, working to understand the inception of religion and how people are driven by it. The world’s oldest religions are not just historical subjects—they are living traditions that continue to shape the countries, cultures, and communities worldwide.

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