Portable Belief Systems
The development of portable and universal religions was an important innovation in human history. These beliefs were not tied to any one place and could—in theory—include any person who wanted to convert. Wherever humans go, their belief systems follow, and as connections increased, belief systems spread rapidly across the world. In many ways, the story of world history is found in how these beliefs clashed and combined.

Featured Materials
Overview of Belief Systems

Article
Overview of Belief Systems
Humanity’s ways of understanding the world have changed over time and differ from place to place, but our diverse belief systems still share many characteristics.
Source Collection: Portable Belief Systems

Article
Source Collection: Portable Belief Systems
The source excerpts in this collection explore the diffusion of belief systems across trade routes from c. 6000 BCE to c. 700 CE.
World Religions Before c.1450

Article
World Religions Before c.1450
This article introduces the largest belief systems in Afro-Eurasia before 1450 and explains how and why they changed over time. These religions connected people in communities of faith across vast distances.
Lessons

Lesson 4.2
Comparing Portable Belief Systems
From Hinduism and Buddhism to Christianity and Islam, religions transformed societies as they spread to new places. What common ideas did these portable belief systems share—and how did they differ?
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Lesson 4.3
How Do Religions Grow and Change?
Beliefs and ideas spread along long-distance trade routes, thanks to merchants, armies, and religious missionaries. As beliefs spread, some religions blended with local cultures and took on new traditions.
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Materials
Buddhism

Article
Buddhism
Buddhism emerged in India as a challenge to Vedic beliefs. It became very popular in China in the seventh century CE.
Christianity

Article
Christianity
Christianity emerged among a Jewish population living under Roman rule. Its universalist message appealed to many communities. Today there are 2 billion Christians worldwide.
Spread of Buddhism and Christianity Thematic Map

Visual Aid
Spread of Buddhism and Christianity Thematic Map
A full-color thematic map of the Spread of Buddhism and Christianity in 100 CE, meant to help you support, extend, and challenge the frame narratives.
Spread of Islam Thematic Map

Visual Aid
Spread of Islam Thematic Map
A full-color thematic map of the Spread of Islam in 800 CE, meant to help you support, extend, and challenge the frame narratives.
Rumi

Graphic Biographies
Rumi
Rumi was a poet who believed that universal love was a path to God. He rejected divisions based on ethnicity and religion.
Syncretism

Article
Syncretism
Belief systems change over time. They also change when people come into contact with each other and share ideas. This process is called syncretism.