Here is a brief summary of the meaning of life according to different spiritual and religious traditions:
- Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy): Life is a journey towards eternal salvation and union with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
- Islam (Sunni, Shia): Life is a test of one's faith and obedience to Allah, and the ultimate goal is to achieve salvation and enter paradise.
- Hinduism: The meaning of life varies depending on the specific Hindu tradition, but it is often seen as a journey towards liberation from the cycle of rebirth and union with the ultimate reality of Brahman.
- Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana): The ultimate goal is to attain enlightenment and end the cycle of suffering through following the Eightfold Path.
- Sikhism: Life is a journey towards union with God and the ultimate goal is to live a life of righteousness and to remember God at all times.
- Judaism: The meaning of life is to live a good and virtuous life, follow God's commandments, and to ultimately attain a share in the world to come.
- Baha'i Faith: Life is a journey of spiritual growth and development, and the ultimate goal is to attain nearness to God and to contribute to the betterment of society.
- Taoism: The meaning of life is to align oneself with the Tao, the ultimate reality that pervades the universe, through living a simple and natural life.
- Confucianism: Life is about cultivating virtue and following moral principles, and the ultimate goal is to live a harmonious and fulfilling life and to serve society.
- Jainism: The meaning of life is to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death through living a life of non-violence and spiritual development.
- Shintoism: The meaning of life is to live a harmonious and respectful life in accordance with the kami (gods) and to maintain a close connection to the natural world.
- New Age Spirituality: The meaning of life is subjective and varies for each individual, but often involves personal growth, self-discovery, and connecting with the divine or universal energy.
- Indigenous Spirituality: The meaning of life is tied to the land, community, and traditions of a specific indigenous culture and often involves living in harmony with the natural world.
- Wicca and Neopaganism: The meaning of life is to live in harmony with nature and the divine, and to cultivate a strong connection to the earth and its cycles.
- Scientology: The meaning of life is to attain spiritual freedom and to achieve one's full potential as a spiritual being.
- Tenrikyo: The meaning of life is to live a life of joy and gratitude, following the teachings of the central kami, and to bring joy to others.
- Rastafarianism: The meaning of life is to live in accordance with the principles of the faith, to seek justice and equality, and to connect with the divine through the use of marijuana.
- Falun Gong: The meaning of life is to cultivate one's spiritual self, follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, and ultimately attain enlightenment.
- Hindu nationalism: The meaning of life is to serve the Hindu nation and to uphold Hindu culture and values.
- Atheism and secular humanism: The meaning of life is a subjective and personal matter, with some viewing it as a chance to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, while others see it as having no inherent meaning beyond what