Every religion has its own sacred holy texts and most of us have read some, or all of the texts associated with our own religion. Far fewer know about, or have read the holy books of other religions.
Holy Kojiki
Izanami and Izanami create Japan.
This is the oldest known book, or collection of writing about the history of Japan. Kojiki is also known as Hurkotohumi. It is a sacred book of the Shinto religion and starts with creation when various gods made the world, and contains lots of myths and legends. It also has a collection of songs, or poems within it.
According to the creation story, Izanagi and Izanami who were husband and wife were given the job of creating the world. They thrust a golden, bejewelled spear into the ocean and when they withdrew it, the water that dripped from it formed the islands of Japan and this was where life began.
Holy Kitab I Aqdas
Bahai House of Worship (Illinois): Symbols of many religions on a pillar.
This is a holy book held sacred by the Bahai faith. It was written in Arabic by Baha'u'llah around the year 1873 and is also called 'The Book of Laws', or the 'Most Holy Book'. The Bahai religion originated in Iran and was based on Babism. Baha'u'llah claimed to be the messenger of God, as predicted by the Bab. The writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and his son Abd-ol-Baha form the holy scriptures of this religion but worship includes reading scriptures from all religions.
Holy Confucian Analects
Confucius : Kong Qiu
This book was written in twenty chapters. It contains various maxims and discussions between Confucius and his disciples and sets out a framework of humaneness, righteousness, piety and propriety.
Confucianism is a scholarly tradition and a way of life which was set out by Confucius in the fifth, or sixth century BC. It has been followed by the Chinese for more than two thousand years.
Holy Akaranga Sutra
Symbol of Jainism: The Hand. Cautions followers to stop and think twice.
This holy book is also called Samayika and forms part of the religious text of Jainism. The Jains believe in Ahimsa, which is the non injury of all living things. Jainism doesn't teach belief in a creator but there are a number of gods that protect certain areas of life. Jainism preaches universal tolerance and doesn't look for converts. Its followers are know for their good works, especially building shelters for animals.
Tao Te Ching
Lao Zi aka Lao Zu
The title of this sacred book translates as 'The Book of the Way and its Virtues'. It is generally said to have been written in 600BC by the scholar Lao Zi. This short book has had a tremendous impact on Chinese life and in particular, the Taoist religion. Taoism holds that there is a natural order of things that cannot be changed. The idea of Ying and Yang comes from this book.
The Zend-Avesta
Faravahar: Symbol of Zoroastrianism
The Zend-Avesta is the sacred text of the Zoroastrian religion. It is divided into three parts and contains the Zoroastrian creed and articles of faith. This was once a wide spread religion throughout Iran, there are currently fewer than a quarter of a million adherents found mostly in India and Iran. This religious text speaks of one God who is The Supreme Wisdom and created all things.
These are just six of the sacred texts that many thousands of people throughout the world follow. Scholars have long held the view that there are common factors in many of these religious texts and that there may indeed be more similarities than differences in the religious beliefs associated with them.
