Ans. The scriptures of Budhism are called “Patikas”. The first one is ‘Vinay’ (descriptive); the second one is ‘Shatt’ (teachings) and the third one is called ‘Abhidham’ (metaphysical).
In “Dham Padd” the code of conduct (how to lead a pious life) is delineated. These rules are supposed to have been laid down by Lord Budha.It is doubtful if any of these scriptures originated at the time of Budha. About five hundred years after the death of Lord Budha, five hundred “Ashtas” gathered at Rajgreha in the form of a Sinod (a grand meeting). These three ‘Patikas’ are the result of this meeting.
Zorastrians have five scriptures. These are called “Zedavistas”. The first contains the rules of worship and sacrifice, the second has stories and songs, the third is liturgical, the fourth contains the code for the clergy and the fifth contains the essence of teachings of Zoratastiranism. All these books came long after the death of the prophet of the religion.
Taoism was started by Lao-zi about 607 years before Christ.The writings of Lao-zi were later on collected under the name of Taoism.
Shintoism originated in Japan. Its most famous book is “Kanziki”, which was in existence long after the start of the religion. It mainly contains (mythological) stories.
The scriptures of Jainism are Agam and Ayaran Stotra. The first Agam contains the doctrines, the second one (Ayaran Stotra) has twelve parts; all of them contain only stories.
The scripture of Jews, the Old Testament, has 39 books. These are divided into three parts. Torah has the code (law), the second book (Nabi) describes the prophets and their lives, and the third one (Kateb) contains spiritual discourses. Two more books, Mission (the book of recitation) and Zamer (description) are also considered the Jewish scriptures.
The Bible of Christians is a collection of 27 books. Most importantly, the Bible does not contain the word ‘Bible’ in it. This word was used some time in the ninth century A.D. It is called the Gospel (good news).
It was first written in Hebrew. Later on it was translated into Greek and then into Latin. Now it is translated into almost all the languages of the world. Since a translation is never completely correct, there are many versions of Bible available.
The scripture of Islam is Qu’ran. The meaning of the word Qu’ran is to compile a collection of gifts. It is believed that the Qu’ran was transmitted to prophet Mohammed from God, through the angel, Jibrail. It is also said that the first revelation came to Mohammed on mount Hira in the month of Ramadan. He would write down every revelation, as it came, on whatever he could get his hands at that time, including leaves, skins, stones etc. Sometimes these writings got wiped off or obliterated. When asked, the prophet’s answer was, “Allah has taken them back”. This is called ‘Nasakh’. For example Suras 180 and 84 were changed.
The revelations that prophet Muhammed received over a period of 23 years during his life, were compiled by the third Caliph, Omar, (after some revision and reorganization). Thus the first revelation was put at 96th place in the Qu’ran.About one thousand verses in Quran contain stories (similar to the old testament), 2066 verses discuss the Sharia (the code), prayers and a description of what will happen on doom’s day; 3400 verses are related to social behaviour, distribution of loot (following a battle), and treatment of women.
The laudation of God, as enjoined by the Qu’ran, has also been approved by the Sikh Gurus.
The scriptures of Hindus are the four Vedas – Rig, Syam, Yujar and Atharban (or Atharv). Each Veda has two parts, the Sahanta or mantra and the Brahmin which contains laudation, praises of Vedas, stories, commandments, complaints and question answers.
According to Swami Daya Nand, the founder of Arya Samaj, the Vedas originated along with the earth, about 1.9 billion years ago. But according to Max Mueller, all this is only wishful thinking, just as the Bible says that the first human being came into existence on March 23, 4004 B.C; and another ignorant person, Linefoot, the vice chancellor of Cambridge University, said that the first human being was born on 26th October, 400 B.C., at 9:00 in the morning – what a joke.
The Rishi Vyas, who is considered among Hindus as the author of these scriptures, is also an imaginary person. The meaning of Vyas is ‘the originator’; and there are thirty persons with this name in Hindu mythology.
From the words Shruti and Smriti (used for Hindu scriptures) one can understand that these scriptures were written by hearing (from someone) or from memory. The number of Smrities is up to 27.
According to H.G. Wells the Hindu writings cannot be believed in. They (Hindus) are people of voice. Contrary to this, Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Master says (for Sikhs):
ਕਹਤੇ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਤੇ ਸਭਿ ਧੰਨੁ ਲਿਖਤੀ ਕੁਲੁ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਜੀਉ॥
(SGGS, P 81.)
“Those who chant are sanctified, all those who listen are blessed and those who write, save their generations”
- The dictionary meaning of the word ‘Gospel’ is: One of the first four books of New Testament presenting the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus.
- It is doubtful that prophet Muhammed himself wrote his revelations, because it is believed that he could not read or write.