Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Community & Belonging
Religion is never purely individual. The church (ekklesia), ummah, kehillah, sangha, and satsang all describe the communal dimension of faith — the conviction that spiritual life is lived together and that belonging to a community of believers is essential to spiritual growth.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Ekklesia (church) — the body of Christ, fellowship of believers
- Key Text
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:25
Islam
- Practice
- Ummah — worldwide community of believers; jama'ah (congregation)
- Key Text
- Quran 3:110, 49:10
Judaism
- Practice
- Kehillah (community); Minyan (quorum of 10 for prayer)
- Key Text
- Leviticus 19:2; Pirke Avot 2:4; Numbers 14:27
Hinduism
- Practice
- Satsang (fellowship of truth seekers); temple community
- Key Text
- Bhagavad Gita 10:9; Narada Bhakti Sutra 68
Buddhism
- Practice
- Sangha — monastic and lay community, one of the Three Jewels
- Key Text
- AN 3.75; DN 16; Dhammapada 194