India, the land of several major religions

It has tremendously fascinated me for many years how many major religions were established in India and they have coexisted side by side for a long time to the present.

Caveat: I am no expert on Indian religions and make no claims but to be a lay person and an occasional student.

Add to this, the delicious blend of spices and the variety of food!

Just a few, selective brief notes on these religions (My apologies for much is omitted or neglected):

Buddhism

Among other things teaches the value of all life on earth, because of the cycle of rebirth and the respect for all sentient beings. When you kill an insect, perhaps it was your grandparent (my liberal personal interpretation). 

Its tenets ask to search for a path to end suffering. Human desire and cravings are much to blame for suffering. Is a modest life a better life? Nirvana?

Moreover Buddhism will always be associated with the great emperor Ashoka (ca. 300 CE)!

Edicts of Ashoka

Hinduism

I guess, no one since the 20th century is more associated with Hinduism than Mahatma Gandhi! He grew up as a Hindu, trained as a lawyer in London, worked in South Africa as a lawyer, used non violence to shake off British colonial power in South Africa and India, established religious pluralism, and who ended untouchability. Then he was assassinated by a Hindu nationalist at an interfaith prayer meeting! What a tragedy and what a lesson for future generations! Fanaticism in whatever shape or form is evil! His non violence movement has inspired many followers and a few leaders!

A non violent skinny man in skimpy beggar's clothes with a British lawyer's degree and a spinning wheel defeated the British Empire (weakened by World War II). An eternal lesson!

Sikhism

I certainly have fond memories of the great movie The English Patient! That little dagger (called a Kirpan) or how he grew his hair under the turban (called Kesh)? 😊 

"God is presented as masculine and God's power as feminine ... and without form. [Something to think about in our so gender confused times]" (Wikipedia)

Jainism

It is famous for ahimsa (non violence), non absolutism, and asceticism.

I guess this religion stands out because of its symbol.