Hajj is the most well-known pilgrimage in Islam. Here Dr Sophia Arjana discusses its role in the religion, whilst also looking at Shi‘a and regional pilgrimages, sainthood and sacred space in Islam.
World religions
Eleanor Nesbitt explores Sikh gurdwaras ('doorway to the Guru'), touching on the most notable ones, such as the Golden Temple, their common features, and the principles of worship within them.
Sikh sacred places
The Guru Granth Sahib plays an integral part in the lives of Sikhs. Eleanor Nesbitt describes the rituals that surround it and its role in the daily lives and life cycle rites of Sikhs, also exploring Sikh daily prayer, devotional songs, and festivals.
Sikh prayer and worship
Gurus are central to the Sikh faith. Eleanor Nesbitt looks at the founder of the Sikh faith – Guru Nanak, the concept of Guru in Sikhism, the central principles of the Gurus’ teachings and the sacred scripture – the Guru Granth Sahib.
Origins and development of Sikh faith: The ...
There are many kinds of Buddhist meditations; here Dr Sarah Shaw describes the ‘middle way’ of the Buddha and explores key aspects of Buddhist meditation and chant, such as the use of Buddha-images and visualization.
Buddhist meditation and chant
Professor Julius Lipner explains that Hinduism cannot be considered polytheistic and discusses the way in which Hindu culture and sacred texts conceptualize the deities, as well as their role in devotional faith
Hindu deities
Professor Balbir introduces the distinctive cosmology of the Jain religion, discussing how it is structured and understood by followers of the faith.
Jain cosmology
Professor Nalini Balbir introduces the Jain religion, describing its key features, practices and expressions of faith.
An introduction to the Jain faith
Could you buy your way out of purgatory? Martin Luther said no, believing in faith alone.
Introduction to the Protestant Reformation (part 1 ...
After the Diet of Worms, Luther escaped to a castle and translated the Bible into German.
Introduction to the Protestant Reformation (part 2 ...
Luther’s ideas quickly spread across Europe, inspiring new interpretations of the Bible—and new conflicts.
Introduction to the Protestant Reformation (part 3 ...
Hindus and Buddhists share a vocabulary but differ in their interpretations of dharma, karma, and salvation.
Hinduism and Buddhism, an introduction
Watch and listen as several British Muslims recount their journeys to Mecca.
Stories of the modern pilgrimage
Protestants largely rejected the visual culture of Catholicism, going so far as to whitewash and destroy its art.
Introduction to the Protestant Reformation (part 4 ...
This video decodes the hand gestures, symbols, and styles of Buddhas from Thailand, Pakistan, Japan, and China.
Four Buddhas at the American Museum of ...
These monumental figures concentrate their attention on the word of God, which Dürer writes into the painting.
Albrecht Dürer, The Four Apostles
Despite a princely upbringing, Siddhartha insisted he was just a man—albeit one who attained perfection.
The historical Buddha
A mound of dirt or the body of the Buddha? These sacred sites give practitioners insight into the Four Noble Truths.
The stupa
How did heaven get to be so controversial? This painting was a defining image of the Protestant Reformation.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
