Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Blessings & Benedictions
The act of blessing — invoking divine favor upon persons, meals, or occasions — is practiced daily in every tradition. Blessings sanctify the ordinary, transforming routine moments into encounters with the sacred.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Blessing in the name of the Trinity; grace before meals
- Key Text
- Numbers 6:24-26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 14:19
Islam
- Practice
- Bismillah — 'In the name of God' before every action
- Key Text
- Quran 1:1, 11:41, 27:30
Judaism
- Practice
- Berakhot — 100 blessings daily; Birkat HaMazon (grace after meals)
- Key Text
- Deuteronomy 8:10; Numbers 6:24-26; Berakhot 35a
Hinduism
- Practice
- Ashirvad (blessing) by elders and priests; Mangala Shloka
- Key Text
- Rig Veda 10.97.22; Bhagavad Gita 18:78
Buddhism
- Practice
- Anumodana — blessing chant by monks after receiving alms
- Key Text
- Khuddakapatha; Mangala Sutta (Sn 2.4)