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.
Featured articles
Themes
Explore the sacred texts of the world’s great faiths by theme.
Sacred texts
All faiths have a rich history of 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.
Read moreIlluminated texts
The British Library’s collection comprises some of the most beautiful, handwritten and illuminated sacred texts from many of the world’s religions.
Read moreDevotional texts
From medieval Christian Books of Hours to the Sikh empress Rani Jindan’s prayer book, explore how devotional texts have helped believers make a personal connection with their faith.
Read moreWomen, texts and faith
Explore the lives of women in the sacred texts of the world’s major faiths, and the changing ways in which women contribute to religious practice in contemporary society.
Read moreCollection items
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
Share this page
Please consider the environment before printing