World religions timeline

  • 100

    Origin of Mahayana Buddhism 2nd century

    Mahayana Buddhism, also known as the Great Vehicle, is the form of Buddhism prominent in North Asia, including China, Mongolia, Tibet, Korea, and Japan.
  • 200

    Buddhism in China 200 CE

    By AD 200 Buddhist altars stood in the emperor's palace. Elements of Chinese culture changed in response to the new faith. For example, scholars translated Buddhist texts into Chinese. Many Chinese became Buddhist monks and nuns. Artists carved towering statues of Buddha into mountain walls.
  • 206

    Burning of Confucianism texts 206 BCE

    Qin Dynasty Emperor orders the burning of Confucian texts and kills many Confucian scholars.
  • 220

    The collapse of the Han dynasty 220CE

    Buddhism flourished during this time, and, by the end of this period, it had entered the lives of all the people in Chinese society.
  • 313

    Emperor Constantine legalizes christianity 313CE

    The roman empire was against christianity until emperor Constantine decleared himself a christian and made christianity the official religion of the Roman empire.
  • 313

    The conversion of Constantine 313CE

    Constantine had a vision in which he saw a cross and the words "in this sign you will be victorious" appeared to him one night.
  • 320

    India Ruled By Gupta Empire 320BCE

    India is ruled by the Gupta Empire. While the Gupta Empire is in power, Hinduism becomes the major religion.
  • 550

    Daoism founded 550 BCE

    Tao-Te Ching written by Lao Tze. Daoism is one of China’s major religions. The main belief is in learning and practicing “The Way” which is the ultimate truth to the universe. (They were kind of like acient hippies)
  • 551

    Birth of Confucious 551 BCE

    The founder of confucianism was born, and would later become a very important chineese philosopher and would write the confuisionism analects.
  • 552

    Buddhism spreads to Japan

    Buddhism enters Japan from Korea, which later almost merges with Shintoism suprsingly.
  • 563

    Birth of Sidhartha Gautama 563BCE

    Sidhatha Gautama was born a brahmin but at the age of 19 he lft his high class home. Outside he saw the dispair and suffering in the world which would later lead him to become the Buddha (enlightened one).
  • Dec 13, 600

    The bishop of Rome

    The Bishop of Rome, Boniface III, bcomes the pope with authority over all other bishops. Marking the beginning of the split of two churches: the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
  • Dec 18, 604

    Confucianism effects constitution in Japan 604 CE

    Japan's Prince Shotoku introduces 17 Article Constitution with moral commandments largely based on the Analects of Confucius.
  • Dec 13, 610

    Muhammad spoken to by an angel 610

    Muhammad went into a cave and was called to by the angel gabriel who said "O Muhammad, thou who art the Prophet of the lord." He was given instructions from Allah sent to reclaim the lost people of the land. It was these visions and Muhammad's revelations from the Angel Gabriel that led to the religion of Islam.
  • Dec 13, 622

    Muhammad flees Mecca

    God informed prophet Muhammad that the tribe leaders who didn't accept Islam, Were plotting to asassinate hime.He was then commanded by god to immigrate to Medina.
  • Dec 16, 632

    Muhammad dies 632 CE

    Muhammad after being poisoned after his attack on a jewish settlement.
  • Dec 18, 650

    The quran is written 650 CE

    The Qur'an is the holy book for Muslims, which contains the teaching and words of god that muhammad relayed.
  • Dec 18, 660

    Shintoism begins 660 BC

    Shinto doesn't have a founder. "Shinto Gods" are known as kami. They are sacred spirits which take the form of things important to live, such as rivers, winds, mountains, trees and rain. It is very similar to Daoism.
  • Dec 18, 700

    Hindu temples in India 700 CE

    In this time Hindu temples and shrines began to appear in India
  • Dec 18, 712

    First shinto novels written 712 CE

    The first written volumes of Shinto stories were compiled and completed, the Kojiki and the Nihongi.
  • Dec 13, 1048

    Pope Leo IX 1048BCE

    Pope Leo the IX became pope in 1048 in hopes of expanding his influence over all of europe.
  • Dec 18, 1054

    The beginning of the Catholic church 1054 CE

    Catholicism split from Christianity in 1054 due to the Great Schism, where the Western Churches that broke away, became the modern Roman Catholic Churches.
  • Dec 16, 1099

    Christian crusaders capture Jerusalem from the Muslims 1099 CE

    The Jews and Muslims fought together to defend Jerusalem against the invading Franks. They were unsuccessful though and on 15 July 1099 the crusaders entered the city.
  • Dec 13, 1147

    1st crusade 1147CE

    The 1st crusade was the only successful of the crusades. The crusades were when the Pope decided to send soldiers to attempt to take back the holy lands. There were nine major crusades.
  • Dec 13, 1189

    The 3rd crusade 1189CE

    Called the crusade of Kings because it comprised of the king of england King Richard, Frederick Barbarossa, the German Emperor, and King Philip Augustus of France.
  • Dec 13, 1200

    Jews get their freedom 1200BCE

    After 400 years of slavery the jews got their freedom from the egyptians and escaped under the leadership of Moses.
  • Dec 13, 1500

    Caste system established 1500BCE

    Around this time the caste system, a social system with Brahmins (royalty), then Kshatryas (warriors), Vaisyas (farmers), then the Sudras (servants). This was important in both Hinduism and Buddhism.
  • Dec 18, 1500

    Rigveda written 1500 BCE

    Rigveda is a Veda in form of Sukti's, which mean 'beautiful statements'. A collection of very beautifully composed incantations itself is a Sukta. The Sukta is a hymn and is composed of a set of Riks. 'Rik' means - an incantation that contains praises and Veda means knowledge. The knowledge of the Suktas itself is the literal meaning of Rigveda.
  • Dec 18, 1521

    Martin Luther 1521

    He was a German monk, priest, professor of theology and played a major role in the Protestant Reformation.He had taught that the entrance to salvation was based solely on faith in God.
  • Abraham travels to Isreal 1700 BCE

    God told Abraham to leave his family and his friends in Mesopatamia so that he could go to the new land god wished to show him.
  • Shintoism becomes national religion

    As part of a nationwide movement towards Japanese nationalism, Shintō was declared the state religion of Japan, it lasted until 1947
  • Period: to

    important events

  • Paul's first journey 46-48CE

    Following Jesus's trial and crucifixion, around 29CE, the diciple Paul set out to convert nonj christians.
  • Judaism begins 2000BCE

    The religion and beliefs of Judaism were founded by Abraham around 2000 BCE in the middle east. The jews believe in the Torah, their holy book, and also the Ten Commandments. It is a monotheistic religion,
  • The first dalai lama

    The first Dalai Lama was Dge-'dun-grub-pa (1391-1475), a monk who founded the Tashilhunpo monastery in central Tibet. The title "Dalai" is a transcription of the Tibetan "Ta le", which means "Ocean [of Wisdom]" and was given to the third Lama by Altan Khan. Each Dalai Lama believes that he is the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama and all are incarnations of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion.
  • The Upanishads are written 800BCE

    One of the holy collections of writings of hinduism.
  • Lao tze temple 618 CE

    Emperor Gaozu builds a great temple at the birthplace of Lao-Tze, the founder of Daoism.
  • Persucution of all non daoists 845 CE

    Emperor Wu-zong persecutes Buddhists and all other non-Taoist religions.
  • King Asoka converted to Buddhism 297 BCE

    Buddhism goes from a small group to state religion and local religion to world religion as Emporer Asoka sends out Buddhist missionaries
  • The Talmud is written

    The Talmud is complied. The Talmud is the Jewish book of scripture. It contains the stories of Jewish ancestry and traditions. This book is studied by traditional Jews.
  • David Becomes King of Israel 868 BCE

    David was a very couragous king and inspired many people. He wrote great songs of praise and made the foundation of Judaism.
  • Solomon Becomes King of Israel 836 BCE

    Solomon wrote many songs and proverbs. He was a great writer. He was King Davids second son. He was king for 40 years and is huge part of Judaism's history.
  • The first Jewish temple 832 BCE

    King Solomon started building the first temple for Jews. It was built on Mount Moriah. It is called The first temple, Solomon's Temple, Jerusalem Temple, and Beit HaMikdash
  • Confucious and Lao Tzu meet. 518 BCE

    Legendary meeting between Confucius and Lao-Tzu (founder of Taoism) this would effect how the two men thought of their own religions.