Buddhism Christianity Islam

Sacred Time

Buddhism

Early Buddhists sought to escape from time. Their goal was nirvana, which is beyond experience and thus not a form of sacred time. Later developments deconstructed the nirvana/samsara dichotomy. | read more » Christianity

Christians worship weekly and throughout the year. Although the worship styles of the churches differ, the weekly service, Christmas, and Easter have special meaning for all Christians. | read more » Islam

The Islamic religious calendar follows a lunar pattern punctuated by a number of significant public feasts and celebrations that have both historical and theological roots. | read more »

Sacred Space

Buddhism

Buddhist sacred spaces include stupas, containing relics of the Buddha or other monks, and the monastic complexes that grow up around them. Some mountains are also considered sacred. | read more » Christianity

Christians worship and pray together in churches built in a variety of shapes and styles. The use of art and decoration varies greatly according to denomination, but almost all churches feature a cross and a pulpit. | read more » Islam

Muslims gather for prayer and community in mosques, and seek blessings at shrines. The Grand Mosque in Mecca, which holds the Kaaba, is the most sacred place in the world. | read more »

Rites and Ceremonies

Buddhism

Buddhist ritual calendars vary widely, but all usually include celebrations of the Buddha's birthday and the New Year. Other ceremonies typical of Buddhism are pilgrimages and rituals surrounding death. | read more » Christianity

The sacred rituals of Christianity, called sacraments or ordinances, vary greatly between Christian denominations. Almost all Christians practice baptism and the Eucharist, which are ancient traditions connected to Jesus and the apostles. | read more » Islam

Various rites and ceremonies accompany such important transitions as marriage, birth, and death. | read more »

Worship and Devotion in Daily Life

Buddhism

The daily life of a Buddhist monk is quite different from that of a lay person. The interrelationship between the two reflects a symbiosis that revolves around the concept of merit. | read more » Christianity

Christians seek to sanctify their daily lives with prayer and scripture reading. These activities, performed in solitude or in groups, help Christians cultivate a close personal relationship with God. | read more » Islam

The heart of Islamic worship is found in the Five Pillars of bearing witness to the oneness of God, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. Regular individual and group supplication is also core to Islamic worship. | read more »

Symbolism