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Browse syllabus-aligned IB World Religions revision notes by topic. Open each chapter for explanations, examples, and summaries.
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1.1.1. What Is Religion? Definitions, Culture and Ideology
18 minute read
1.1.2. Insider and Outsider Approaches to Studying Religion
17 minute read
1.1.3. Sources for the Study of Religion and How to Interpret Them
20 minute read
1.1.4. What Makes an Experience Religious?
21 minute read
1.1.5. The Language of Religion: The Sacred, Myth, Ritual, Symbol and Metaphor
19 minute read
8.1.1. What the Investigative Study Is: Requirements at a Glance
22 minute read
8.1.2. Choosing a Focus and Writing the Research Question
8.1.3. Methods: Visits, Observation, Interviews and Source-Based Studies
25 minute read
1.1.6. The Three Fundamental Questions and the World Map of Religions
1.2.1. Hinduism in Context: Origins, Spread and Diversity
1.2.2. The Human Condition: Atman, Samsara and Karma
1.2.3. Where Are We Going? Reincarnation and Moksha
1.2.4. How Do We Get There? Dharma, Caste Duty and the Yogic Paths
1.3.1. Buddhism in Context: The Buddha, the Branches and the Spread of the Dhamma
1.3.2. The Human Condition: Samsara, Craving and Dukkha
1.3.3. Where Are We Going? Rebirth, Nibbana, Buddhahood and the Bodhisattva
1.3.4. How Do We Get There? The Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
1.4.1. Sikhism in Context: Guru Nanak, the Ten Gurus and the Panth
23 minute read
1.4.2. The Human Condition: Maya, Haumai and the Five Vices
1.4.3. Where Are We Going? Rebirth, Karma and the Sach Khand
1.4.4. How Do We Get There? Grace, Nam Japna and Sewa
1.5.1. Judaism in Context: Covenant, People and Movements
1.5.2. The Human Condition: The Image of God, Free Will and the Two Inclinations
1.5.3. Where Are We Going? This Life, the Messianic Age and Olam Ha-Ba
1.5.4. How Do We Get There? Covenant, Mitzvot and the Shema
1.6.1. Christianity in Context: Jesus, the Church and the Denominations
1.6.2. The Human Condition: The Image of God, Free Will and the Fall
1.6.3. Where Are We Going? Heaven, Purgatory and Hell
1.6.4. How Do We Get There? Trinity, Christ as Saviour, Teachings and Sacraments
1.7.1. Islam in Context: The Prophet, the Qur'an and the Ummah
16 minute read
1.7.2. The Human Condition: Submission, Guidance and Moral Error
15 minute read
1.7.3. Where Are We Going? Janna and Jahannam
1.7.4. How Do We Get There? Tawhid, the Articles of Faith and the Five Pillars
1.8.1. Taoism in Context: The Tao, the Texts and the Tradition
1.8.2. The Human Condition: Departing from the Way
1.8.3. Where Are We Going? Already There: Returning to the Tao
1.8.4. How Do We Get There? Wu-Wei, Yin and Yang, and Ch'i
1.9.1. Jainism in Context: Mahavira and the Jain Community
1.9.2. The Human Condition: Jiva, Ajiva and the Weight of Karma
1.9.3. Where Are We Going? Rebirth and the Liberation of the Jiva
1.9.4. How Do We Get There? The Five Great Vows, Asceticism and Kevala
1.10.1. The Bahá'à Faith in Context: Bahá'u'lláh and the Manifestations of God
1.10.2. The Human Condition: Born Pure, with a Dual Nature
1.10.3. Where Are We Going? Paradise and Hell as States, Not Places
1.10.4. How Do We Get There? Oneness of God, Divine Attributes and Bahá'u'lláh's Teachings
2.1.1. The Three Marks of Existence: Dukkha, Anicca and Anatta
26 minute read
2.1.2. Samsara, Kamma, Maya and Rebirth
2.1.3. Nibbana, Arahants, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
24 minute read
2.1.4. Sangha, Dhamma and the Cultivated Path: Bhavana, Sila, Panna, Karuna, Upaya
2.2.1. Rites of Passage Across the Branches: Initiation, Ordination and Funerals
2.2.2. Worship as Veneration: Puja, the Three Jewels and the Five Precepts
2.2.3. Festivals: Wesak, Asala, Kathina, Vassa and Obon Matsuri
2.2.4. Gender and Ritual: Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis and Meditation Practice
2.2.5. Society and Ritual: Home, Temple and Pilgrimage
2.3.1. The Pali Canon: The Tipitaka and the Dhammapada
2.3.2. Mahayana and Vajrayana Scriptures: Sutras, Shastras, Agamas and Tantras
2.3.3. Collation and Transmission: From the Buddha to the Arahats to the Monastic Order
2.3.4. Interpretation and Language: Pali and Sanskrit as Different Lenses
2.4.1. Where the Doctrines Came From: Siddhartha Gotama and the Bodhisattvas
2.4.2. Statements of Belief: The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and the Three Poisons
2.4.3. Eschatology Without a Creator: Rebirth, the Khandas and Liberation
2.4.4. Cosmogony and Cosmology: The Cycle of Existence, Other Realms and the 31 Lokas
2.4.5. Authority: Monks, Laity, Merit and the Lama System
2.5.1. Group and Individual Experience: Monastery, Daily Puja and Learning from Lamas
2.5.2. Conversion and Meditation: Realizing Maya, Non-Attachment and Veneration
2.5.3. Gender and Religious Experience: Scripture, Nuns, the Taras and Tantric Ritual
2.6.1. Interpretation and Authority: The Dalai Lama, Scriptures and Monastic Teachers
2.6.2. Ethical Practice: Karuna, Ahimsa and the Response to War and Conflict
2.6.3. The Vinaya, Transgression and Karma in Action and Intention
3.1.1. The Trinity, the Incarnation and the Logos
3.1.2. Sin, Atonement, Redemption and Repentance
3.1.3. Salvation, Grace, Reconciliation and the Kingdom of God
3.1.4. Church, Sacrament, Agape and Resurrection
3.2.1. Rites of Passage and the Seven Sacraments Across the Denominations
3.2.2. Public and Private Worship: Eucharist, Prayer and the Ministers
3.2.3. Places of Worship, Pilgrimages and Retreats
3.2.4. Festivals and Holy Days: The Liturgical Year
3.2.5. Gender and Ritual: Authority and the Ordination of Women
27 minute read
3.3.1. Key Texts: Old and New Testaments, Apocrypha, Encyclicals, Sermons
3.3.2. Composition: From Prophecy to Revelation
3.3.3. Collation and Development: The Canon and Its Authority
3.3.4. Interpretation: Literalism, Biblical Criticism and Individual Reading
3.3.5. Language: Hebrew, Greek and the Vernacular Bible
3.4.1. Where the Doctrines Came From: Commandments, Beatitudes, Paul and the Councils
3.4.2. Statements of Belief: The Creeds, Christ and Salvation
3.4.3. Eschatology: The Second Coming, Judgment, Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
3.4.4. Cosmogony and Cosmology: Genesis, a Loving Creator and the Evolution Debate
3.4.5. Authority: God, Foundational Figures and Church Hierarchy
3.5.1. Vocation and Group Experience: From Family Life to Consecrated Life
3.5.2. Conversion: Personal Revelation and Adult Baptism
3.5.3. Meditation, Contemplation and the Writers on Spirituality
3.5.4. Gender and Religious Experience: Ordination Debates and Women Mystics
3.6.1. Interpretation and Authority: Bible, Church, Conscience and Ecumenism
3.6.2. Peace, Conflict and Justice: Pacifism, Just War, Crime and Punishment
3.6.3. Medical Ethics and the Sanctity of Life: Euthanasia, Embryo Research, Genetic Engineering, Abortion
3.6.4. Social Ethics: Poverty, Environment, Sexuality, Family, Business, Church and State
4.1.1. Brahman, the Trimurti and the Avatars
4.1.2. Atman, Samsara, Karma and Maya
4.1.3. Dharma, Varna and the Shape of Hindu Society
4.1.4. Moksha and the Yogas: Bhakti, Jnana and Karma
4.2.1. The Samskaras and the Ashramas: Rites Across a Lifetime
4.2.2. Worship: Puja, Murti, Darshan and Pilgrimage
4.2.3. Festivals: Holi, Navaratri, Dassehra and Divali
4.2.4. Gender and Ritual: Women's Roles, Marriage and the Laws of Manu
30 minute read
4.2.5. Society and Ritual: Varna, Jati and the Varnashramadharma
4.3.1. Key Texts: The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Laws of Manu
4.3.2. Shruti and Smriti: Composition, Collation and Development
4.3.3. Interpretation and Language: Darshanas, Sampradayas, Sanskrit and the Vernaculars
4.4.1. Where the Doctrines Came From: Layers of Indian Religious History
4.4.2. Statements of Belief: Sanatana Dharma, Saguna and Nirguna
4.4.3. Eschatology: Samsara, Karma and the Aim of Moksha
4.4.4. Cosmogony, Cosmology and Authority: Creation Myths, the Vedas, Brahmins and Gurus
4.4.5. Schools of Thought: The Six Darshanas and the Great Interpreters
4.5.1. Group and Individual Experience: Pilgrimage, Festivals, Gurus, Ashrams and Yoga
4.5.2. Conversion and Modern Movements: ISKCON, Arya Samaj and the Reformers
28 minute read
4.5.3. Gender and Religious Experience: Home, Modern India, the Diaspora and the Goddess
4.6.1. Duty as Ethics: The Varnashramadharma, the Three Objectives and the Three Debts
4.6.2. Caste as a Contemporary Controversy: Law, Purity and the Diaspora
4.6.3. Ahimsa and the Ethics of Life and War: Diet, Medical Issues and Dharma Yuddha
5.1.1. Tawhid, Iman and Islam: The Oneness of Allah
5.1.2. Risalah: Prophethood and Revelation
5.1.3. Akhirah and Yawm al-Din: The Life to Come and the Day of Judgment
5.1.4. Ummah, Ibadah, Akhlaq, Niyyah and the Two Jihads
5.2.1. Rites of Passage: Birth, Marriage and Death
5.2.2. The Pillars I: Shahadah, Salah and Zakat
5.2.3. The Pillars II: Sawm and Hajj
5.2.4. Festivals: Sunni and Shi'ah Celebrations
5.2.5. Gender and Ritual: Prayer, Purity, Dress and the Mosque
5.2.6. Society and Ritual: Jum'a, Ummah Solidarity, Halal and Haram
5.3.1. The Qur'an: Divine Origin, Composition and Collation
5.3.2. Development: Makkan and Madinan Revelation, and the Hadith
5.3.3. Interpretation and Language: Tafsir and the Primacy of Arabic
5.4.1. Where the Doctrines Came From: Qur'an, Hadith and the Scholars of the Shari'ah
5.4.2. Statements of Belief: Creed and Practice
5.4.3. Eschatology: The Day of Judgment, Paradise and Hell
5.4.4. Cosmogony and Cosmology: Allah as Creator and the Purpose of Creation
5.4.5. Authority: The Prophet, Khalifahs, Imams, Ulama, Shaykhs and Pirs
5.5.1. Group and Individual Experience: Prayer, Fasting, Du'a and the Hajj
5.5.2. Sufism and Mysticism: Dhikr, Dance and Meditation
5.5.3. Reversion to Islam and the Shi'ah Experience of Karbala
5.5.4. Gender and Religious Experience: Prayer, Pilgrimage and Female Mystics
5.6.1. Interpretation and Authority: Qur'an, Hadith, Sunnah and the Ulama
5.6.2. Akhlaq in Practice: Family, Modesty, Struggle and Charity
5.6.3. Shari'ah and Qanun: Divine Law, Secular Law and Their Frontier
31 minute read
6.1.1. B'rit: The Covenant and the Jewish Expression of Monotheism
29 minute read
6.1.2. Torah, Mitzvot and Halakhah
6.1.3. Kedushah, Teshuvah and the Shekhinah
6.1.4. Mashiach, Tikkun Olam and Pikuach Nefesh
6.2.1. Rites of Passage: B'rit Milah, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Marriage, Divorce and Death
6.2.2. Worship: Prayer Times, Berachot, the Siddur and the Synagogue
6.2.3. Living Worship: Kashrut, Fasting and Daily Life
6.2.4. Festivals: Shabbat, the Pilgrim Festivals and the High Holy Days
6.2.5. Gender and Ritual: Time-Bound Mitzvot Across the Movements
6.3.1. Key Texts: Written Torah, Oral Torah, Mishnah and Talmud
6.3.2. Composition and Collation: The Dual Torah and the Orthodox/Non-Orthodox Divide
6.3.3. Development and Interpretation: Halakhah, Aggadah, Codes and Responsa
6.3.4. Language: Hebrew, Aramaic and the Vernacular in Prayer
6.4.1. Where the Doctrines Came From: Torah, Oral Torah and the Jewish Enlightenment
6.4.2. Statements of Belief: The Shema, the Covenant and Maimonides' 13 Principles
6.4.3. Eschatology: The Messianic Age and Olam Ha-Ba
6.4.4. Cosmogony and Cosmology: The Sole Creator, Free Will and Tikkun Olam
6.4.5. Authority and Schools of Thought: From Ultra-Orthodox to Liberal
6.5.1. A Holy People: History Relived, Diaspora and Cultural Variation
6.5.2. Conversion: A Non-Missionary Path
6.5.3. Gender and Religious Experience Across the Movements
6.6.1. Interpretation and Authority: Love of God, Love of Neighbour and the Golden Rule
6.6.2. Ritual and Ethical Mitzvot: Marriage, Divorce and the Agunah Problem
6.6.3. Life, Death and Transgression: Sanctity of Life, Penitence, Shechitah and Zionism
7.1.1. Nirguna God, Ik Onkar and the Word: Bani, Shabad and the Guru
7.1.2. From Manmukh to Gurmukh: Haumai, Maya and Nam
7.1.3. Grace and Liberation: Nadar, Gurprasad, Jot and Mukti
7.1.4. The Community and Its Disciplines: Panth, Sangat, Khalsa, Gurdwara, Langar, Sewa
7.2.1. Rites of Passage: Naming, Amrit Sanskar, Anand Karaj and Death
7.2.2. Worship and Daily Discipline: Isnan, Prescribed Prayers and Holy Company
7.2.3. Festivals: Vaisakhi, Divali and the Gurpurbs
7.2.4. Gender and Ritual: Equality in Principle and in Practice
7.2.5. Society and Ritual: The Gurdwara, the Five Ks and Langar
7.3.1. The Guru Granth Sahib: Revelation and Composition
7.3.2. Collation and Development: Adi Granth, Dasam Granth and the Janam Sakhis
7.3.3. Interpretation and Language: Gurbani, Gurmukhi and Translation
7.4.1. Where the Doctrines Came From: The Ten Gurus and the Mool Mantra
7.4.2. Statements of Belief: The Living Guru and the Rahit Maryada
7.4.3. Eschatology: Jot, Mukti, Hukam and the Five Khands
7.4.4. Cosmology and Authority: Akal Purukh, the Guru Granth Sahib and the Khalsa
7.5.1. Worship and Daily Practice: Home, Gurdwara and Nam Simran
7.5.2. Conversion and Reaffirmation: 3HO and the Amrit Ceremony
7.5.3. Gender and Religious Experience: Equality, Caste and Lived Reality
7.6.1. Interpretation and Authority: The Eternal Guru for Spiritual Matters, the Khalsa for Temporal
7.6.2. Ethical Practice: Guru Granth Sahib Principles, the Five Ks and Dharam Yudh
8.1.4. Ethics, Permissions and Representing Religions Fairly
8.2.1. The Five-Heading Format, References and the Word Count
8.2.2. Meeting Criteria A-D: What Examiners Reward
8.2.3. Critical Reflection and Evaluation Done Well
2.4.6. Schools of Thought: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Buddhism in the West
3.4.6. Schools of Thought: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Beyond
5.4.6. Schools of Thought and Law: Sunni, Shi'ah, Sufism and the Madhhabs
