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Timeline: Origin of Major Religions

This table indicates the approximate date each of the twelve major world religions began, along with the traditional dates for the birth and death of its founder (if applicable). You can click on each religions' link to start reading about it.

This list of twelve world religions is, of course, an oversimplification. Also, keep in mind that there are religions (such as the belief systems of Native American and Australian Aborigine peoples) that go back much further than Hinduism, and there have been several large religions that have started since Baha'i.

The 'Common Era' refers to 1 A.D. CE=Common Era, BCE=Before Common Era

date Near East India China/Japan
1000+ BCE
Judaism
:
Moses 1500-1350 BCE

Hinduism
:
2000 BCE
 
600 BCE Zoroastrianism:
Zoroaster 628-527 BCE
Jainism:
Mahavira 599-527 BCE

Buddhism
:
Buddha 563-483 BCE

Taoism
:
Lao Tse 580-500 BCE
Confucianism:
Confucius 551-479 BCE
100 CE
Christianity
:
Jesus 1-33 CE
 
Shinto
:
100 CE
600 CE
Islam
:
Muhammad 570-632 CE
   
1500 CE   Sikhism:
Guru Nanak 1469-1538 CE
 
1900 CE Baha'i:
Baha'u'llah 1817-1892 CE
   

This page © copyright J.B. Hare, 1997-2001.