Islam and Buddhism Rooted in thousands of years of tradition, rituals and practices Islam and Buddhism are at the forefront of the world's major religions. Their influences on culture, politics and society have spread far and wide; from the picturesque villages of the Middle East to the roaring metropolitan areas of China and Japan. Islam was born from the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, while Buddhism focuses on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Although many people claim to know these two religions, the reality is that many still do not realize the vast differences between them. Although both religions appear to be very similar in nature, their main differences stem from sacred texts and ritual practices. Islam and Buddhism are similar in that they both strongly believe in respecting the sacred scriptures. While the scriptures of Islam come from a single holy book, Buddhists use a wide variety of holy books depending on their specific sect. According to Muslims, the Quran is believed to be the direct word of Allah, revealed to the prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. Gabriel transmitted the ayahs (verses) and suras (chapters) to Muhammad and from this the Quran was born (Oxford 218). The term “Quran” comes from the root qr- meaning to read and recite, which is what Gabriel commanded Muhammad to do after presenting the Scriptures to him. The Quran contains verses of commands and warnings, stories and parables for the Islamic people to live by. The commentary on the Qur'an is the Tafsir, which means "to reveal" or clarify the meaning of the texts (Oxford, 219). The interpretations of the Quran are based on three authoritative sources: the Quran itself, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad... middle of the paper... help them achieve liberation as they pass through the bardo state between death and rebirth. It is through these ritual practices in Buddhism that one can express their faith and feel connected to their spirituality. Islam and Buddhism differ greatly in their sacred texts and ritual practices. But both of these religions have global followings of thousands, and the writings and practices have a deeper purpose than simply memorizing scriptures and performing deeds. For these religions, their texts provide a guideline for their followers to live their lives for a higher purpose while ritual practices connect their followers to something greater than themselves. It connects millions of people from all over the world together. Whether it's building a personal connection with Allah, or becoming more like the Buddha, every religion serves its people to find a higher calling.