Css Comparative Study of Major Religions Syllabus
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USAMA NAZIRCss Comparative Study of Major Religions Syllabus
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Central Superior Services
(CSS) Examination
Paper: Comparative Study of Major
Religions – 100 Marks
(Alternative to the Compulsory Islamic Studies Paper)
This paper examines the origins, beliefs, practices, scriptures, and modern developments of
major world religions, with a focus on comparative understanding. It covers Hinduism, Buddhism,
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, alongside the academic study of religion.
Key Areas of Study
I. Introduction
Definitions of religion
Emergence of religious studies as a discipline
Theological vs. academic approaches
Overview of the global religious landscape
II. Hinduism
Historical background: Indus Valley, Aryan theory, Vedic Dharma, Brahmanism
Scriptures: Vedas, Upanishads, Manu Smriti, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata
Doctrines: Dharma, Vedanta, Karma, Moksha
Paths to liberation: Karma, Jnana, Bhakti
Deities: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Trimurti, others
Sects: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism
Society: Caste system, Ashramas
Modern Hindu reform and revival movements
III. Buddhism
Life of Gautama Buddha, spread of Buddhism, Brahmanism rivalry
Scriptures: Tripitaka (Sutta, Vinaya, Abhidhamma)
Doctrines: Three Jewels, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path
Sects: Theravada, Mahayana, others
Buddhism in the modern world
IV. Judaism
History: From Abraham to dispersion
Scriptures: Tanakh, Mishnah, Talmud
Beliefs: Ten Commandments, Maimonides’ principles
Festivals: Yom Kippur, Passover, Sukkot, Purim
Worship: Prayer, fasting, Sabbath
Sects: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Zionism, Kabbalah, Hasidism
V. Christianity
History: Jewish roots, life of Jesus, role of Paul, spread of Church, Reformation
Scriptures: Old & New Testament
Doctrines: Original Sin, Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Trinity
Sects: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism (various denominations)
Festivals: Advent, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost
Worship: Sacraments, prayer, music
Modern trends: Theology, missionary work, interfaith dialogue
VI. Islam
History: Concept of religion, universality, Sirah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Rightly
Guided Caliphs
Scriptures: Quran, Hadith
Beliefs: Tawhid, Risalah, Akhirah, angels, scriptures, predestination
Five Pillars: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj
Teachings: Equality, purity, justice, jihad, tolerance
Sects: Sunni, Shia, Khawarij, Mu‘tazilah
Contemporary movements: Ikhwan al-Muslimun, Jamaat-e-Islami, Tablighi Jamaat, Salafi,
Gulen, Iranian revolution, extremist groups
Suggested Readings
Includes works by Peter Connolly, John R. Hinnells, Klaus K. Klostermaier, Christmas
Humphreys, Lavinia & Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Alister E. McGrath, Tariq Ramadan, Seyyed Hossein
Nasr, and Syed Abul A’la Maududi.
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