Historical Timeline
Major milestones in the history of world religions, from 1500 BCE to the present.
Vedic traditions begin (Hinduism's roots)
Zoroaster teaches in ancient Persia
Israelite religion crystallizes (Torah traditions)
Mahavira establishes Jainism
Siddhartha Gautama attains enlightenment
Confucius teaches in China
Laozi and the Tao Te Ching (traditional dating)
Emperor Ashoka spreads Buddhism across Asia
Jesus of Nazareth's ministry, death, and reported resurrection
Destruction of the Second Temple — diaspora Judaism begins
Council of Nicaea — Christian doctrine formalized
Muhammad receives first revelation
Shinto formalized in Japan (Kojiki written 712)
Great Schism — Catholic/Orthodox Christianity splits
Guru Nanak born — Sikhism begins
Martin Luther's 95 Theses — Protestant Reformation
Baha'u'llah declares his mission — Baha'i Faith begins
Parliament of the World's Religions — interfaith movement begins
State of Israel established — global Judaism transformed
Vatican II — Catholic Church embraces interfaith dialogue