Timeline of Religious Development

The Indus River Valley civilization begins to develop (Hinduism)

2500 BCE

The Indus River Valley civilization developed. Evidence suggests that early Hindu practice began here.

The Caste System (Hinduism)

2000 BCE

The Hindu belief of the social order is that people are different, and different people will fit well into different parts of society. Social order or social class according to varna forms the framework of moral duties according to personal characteristics of individuals.

Birth of Jacob (Christianity)

2000 BCE

Also called Israel. The 12 tribes of Israel named after his sons.

Abraham is born (Judaism)

1813 BCE

In the first five books of the bible, God chooses Abraham to be the father of Isaac, the founder of the Jewish people. This people will be special to God, as well as an example of holiness to others around the world.

Abraham forms the first covenant with God(Judaism)

1812 BCE

When Abraham circumcises himself, it symbolized the covenant between God and all his descendants. Under this covenant, God promises to make Abraham the father of a great nation. He gives his descendants the land that later becomes Israel.

The Aryan invasion begins (Hinduism)

1600 BCE

The Aryans invaded the Indus River Valley. The Sanskrit language began to influence Hinduism.

The Vedic Age begins (Hinduism)

1500 BCE

The Vedic Age began. This is when the oldest scriptures of Hinduism were written.

Moses leads the Jews on an exodus from Egypt(Judaism)

1280 BCE

For several hundred years, the Jews were enslaved in Egypt. Moses, was appointed God's prophet. Around 1280 BCE he led his people out of enslavement on a journey to Canaan known as the Exodus. Moses gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments.

David (Christianity)

1010 BCE

Becomes king of Israel, Jerusalem is the capital.

King Solomon constructs the First Temple(Judaism)

970 BCE

In Israel, King Solomon builds the First Temple on Mount Moriah. It houses the Ten Commandments. The Babylonians demolish it eventually.

David's son (Chritianity)

970 BCE

Solomon becomes king and builds temple in Jerusalem to honor God.

Israel splits into two kingdoms(Judaism)

920 BCE

The land of the Hebrews is divided into two kingdoms, the kingdom of Israel in the north, and the kingdom of Judah in the south. They were like this for 200 years and then the Hebrews split into even smaller groups.

The major Upanishads are written (Hinduism)

800 BCE

The eleven major Upanishads are written. These were the important texts of Hinduism. These talk about the ideas of reincarnation and karma, that those who are righteous in the current life will be reborn in a better life until they eventually reach Nirvana, or the holy bliss.

Taoism religion (Daoism)

712 BCE

Becomes official religion of China per Emperor Xuanzong.

The Age of Protest (Hinduism)

600 BCE

The time of Jainism and Buddhism break away from Hinduism.

Temple is destroyed(Judaism)

586 BCE

Babylonians overthrow Southern Kingdom, destroy first Temple,
and take Judeans to Babylonia

Ideology of Confucianism

551 BCE

Established in the years 551-479

Founded (Daoism)

550 BCE

Daoism/Taoism founded. Laozi writes the Tao Te Ching as first writings of Dao/Tao, known as the "way".

A few Jews return to Jerusalem(Judaism)

538 BCE

Israel's return to Jerusalem from Babylon involved about fifty thousand Jews. The biblical record accords great importance to this time.

Lao-Tzu (Confucianism)

518 BCE

Legendary meeting between Confucius and Lao-Tzu, the founder of Taoism.

Minister (Confucianism)

501 BCE

Confucius appointed minister of crime for the State of Lu.

The Epics and Puranas are written (Hinduism)

500 BCE

The Epics were written. They are a history of men and celestial figures and begin devotion to Hinduism.

Lao-Tzu(Daoism)

500 BCE

Founder of Taoism and author of Tao-Te-Ching lived.

Confucius' Followers (Confucianism)

497 BCE

Confucius travels with his disciples and teaches rulers in China.

Siddhartha Gautama is born (Buddhism)

490 BCE

Siddhartha Gautma is born in northern India. He is exposed to the suffering of humans as a young child.

Confucius Death (Confucianism)

479 BCE

After his death in 479, Confucius was buried in a tomb in Qufu. He was the focus of worship in schools during the Han Dynasty.

Confucius' Home (Confucianism)

479 BCE

Duke Ai orders that Confucius' home is to be preserved as a temple.

Gautama leaves home to search for a solution to suffering (Buddhism)

461 BCE

Gautama has a crisis at 29 and realizes he is not immune to old age, sickness and death. He leaves home to search for ways to end suffering. He does yoga in his search.

Gautama becomes the Buddha(Buddhism)

455 BCE

Gautama sits under a ficus tree for enlightment. He becomes known as the Buddha. The search to end suffering continues.

Gautama gains his first followers(Buddhism)

455 BCE

First sermon in a park. This is when he "set in motion the wheel of the law", talked about 4 noble truths to end suffering.

Gautama dies(Buddhism)

410 BCE

After 45 years of preaching Gautama dies. He eats food that makes him sick and before he dies, asks his followers to spread his teachings.

The Mahasanghika school emerges(Buddhism)

386 BCE

Second Buddhist council held. Buddhism divides into two schools, traditional and controversial.

Mencius (Confucianism)

371 BCE

Chinese philosopher -developed orthodox Confucianism. His book Mencius, is his thoughts on the goodness of human nature.

Zhuangzi (Daoism)

350 BCE

Philosopher who wrote the first 7 chapters of the Tao Te Ching. Wrote about death, perspective, truth, and laid foundation for study of Daoism. Disagreed with Confucianism.

Armenia (Christianity)

301 BCE

First country to adopt Christianity as religion.

Yin/Yang(Daoism)

200 BCE

Idea of Yin/Yang (balance between light and dark) are seen in teachings. Principles of Dao/Tao determined: Dao/Tao, Wuwei, De, and Pu.

Buddhist Cave Shrines(Buddhism)

200 BCE

Construction of the 30 Buddhist cave-shrines at Ajanta, many of which have features of Gupta architecture.

Five Bushels(Daoism)

155 BCE

Zhang Lu organizes the Way of Five Bushels of Rice into religious communities, which become known as Taoism of Heavenly Masters.

Book of Revelation (Christianity)

90 BCE

Book of Revelation and Gospel of St. John written.

First Gospel (Christianity)

60 BCE

First Gospel written by Mark, published.

Birth (Christianity)

4 BCE

Jesus is born in Bethlehem.

Han Dynasty Collapses (Daoism)

220

The Han Dynasty collapses, losing all their religious values with Confucianism. Failure to keep political order results in Daoism taking over.