Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Martyrdom & Sacrifice of Life
Dying for one's faith — martyrdom — is among the highest acts of devotion in many traditions. From the early Christian martyrs to Islamic shahid to Jewish kiddush HaShem, willingness to give one's life for truth expresses the ultimate subordination of earthly existence to eternal values.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- การปฏิบัติ
- Martyrdom (martyria) — witness unto death for Christ
- Key Text
- Revelation 2:10; Acts 7:54-60; John 15:13
Islam
- การปฏิบัติ
- Shahid — martyr in the path of Allah; highest rank in Jannah
- Key Text
- Quran 3:169-170, 4:74
Judaism
- การปฏิบัติ
- Kiddush HaShem — sanctification of God's name through martyrdom
- Key Text
- Daniel 3:16-18; 2 Maccabees 7; Sanhedrin 74a
Hinduism
- การปฏิบัติ
- Pranatyaga — giving up life for dharma; self-sacrifice
- Key Text
- Bhagavad Gita 2:22-23; 18:5-6
Buddhism
- การปฏิบัติ
- Bodhisattva's willingness to sacrifice for others' liberation
- Key Text
- Jataka Tales (self-sacrifice stories); Vessantara Jataka