Discovering Sacred Texts provides access to the richness and diversity of the texts from some of the world’s greatest faiths. Discover more about the sacred texts from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and the Baha’i Faith, Jainism and Zoroastrianism.
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Manuscripts of the Christian Bible
Dr Scot McKendrick looks at manuscripts of the Bible prior to the invention of printing, exploring their contents and uses and answering the question of why there are so few manuscripts of the whole Bible.
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The Qur’an
The Qur’an, the sacred text of Islam, is believed to be the Word of God as revealed to the Prophet. Here Dr Mustafa Shah describes the historical context of its revelation, its transmission and codification and its shared spiritual heritage with the other main Abrahamic faiths.
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The Buddha and Buddhist sacred texts
Professor Peter Harvey recounts the life and teachings of the Buddha, as well as considering the role that the Buddha plays in the different branches of Buddhism and how his teachings have been collected.
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Hindu deities
The multiple gods and goddesses of Hinduism are a distinctive feature of the religion. However, Professor Julius Lipner explains that Hinduism cannot be considered polytheistic and discusses the way in which Hindu culture and sacred texts conceptualise the deities, as well as their role in devotional faith.
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Sikh prayer and worship
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.
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An introduction to Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest living world-religions. Professor Almut Hintze explores its history and some of the key components of the religion: its beliefs, sacred texts and rituals.
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An introduction to the Baha’i Faith
Peter Smith looks at the central features of the Baha’i Faith, including its history, and the key beliefs, organisation and world-view of the Baha’i community.
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An introduction to the Jain faith
Professor Nalini Balbir introduces the Jain religion, describing its key features, practices and expressions of faith.
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Henry VIII and the Reformation
Professor Susan Doran discusses Henry VIII and the Reformation, looking at the Catholic devotional texts that were owned by the king, his break with the Catholic Church and the development of the English Bible following the Reformation.
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Jewish prayer at home and in the synagogue
Rabbi Johnny Solomon explores the role of prayer within Jewish tradition, looking at its history, development and use within worship and rituals.
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Islamic pilgrimages and sacred spaces
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.
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Themes
Explore the sacred texts of the world’s great faiths by theme.
Sacred texts
All faiths have their origins in texts, be they the word of God as revealed to prophets, oral stories retold by one generation to another over centuries, or written down in books. Explore the origins and developments of the world’s major faiths.
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Explore the sacred texts of the world’s great faiths.
Codex Sinaiticus
2nd quarter of the 4th century–3rd quarter of the 4th century
The Golden Haggadah
c. 1320-1330
The Bab’s Star Tablet
Mid-19th century
The Ashem Vohu, a Zoroastrian prayer
9th century
Jain diagram Two and a Half Continents, Adhai-dvipa
18th century
Rani Jindan prayer book
1828–30
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