Rituals — Lifetime rituals/rites of passage

With its wide range of religious traditions, emphasis on both beliefs and lived practice, and flexible choice of religions for deeper study, the IB World Religions syllabus can initially seem quite broad. However, the course follows a clear structure that moves from a general introduction to world religions, to detailed study of selected traditions, and finally to an individual investigative study.

IB World Religions is an academic study of religious beliefs, practices, experiences, and communities . Rather than asking students to accept or reject particular beliefs, the course approaches religion in a scholarly and analytical way . The aim is to understand both what different religions teach and what belonging to a particular religious tradition can mean for its followers. The syllabus outlined in the guide is offered at Standard Level (SL) only and requires approximately 150 teaching hours . It is divided into three parts:

Part 1 introduces students to five religions selected from nine options , while Part 2 requires an in-depth study of two religions selected from six . Part 3 allows students to independently investigate an aspect of religious experience, belief, or practice .

World Religions

The first part of the course is designed to give you a broad foundation in the study of religion . Before looking at individual traditions, you are encouraged to think carefully about what religion actually is, how it can be studied fairly, and how different sources can be interpreted . This is especially important because the course expects you to understand religions from both an academic perspective and, as far as possible, from the perspective of people who actually practise them. Introductory questions include:

You then study five religions from a choice of nine . At least one religion must be chosen from each of the three groups below:

The recommended teaching time is approximately 10 hours per religion . All five religions are explored through the same three fundamental questions:

These questions help you compare how different religions understand human existence, the ultimate goal of life, and the practices or beliefs that guide followers toward that goal . The syllabus also emphasizes internal diversity , meaning that different denominations or schools of thought should be considered where appropriate.

Introduction to world religions

Hinduism explores the human condition through the relationship between the atman, karma, samsara, and moksha . The syllabus presents human beings as caught in a continuing cycle of reincarnation because of the consequences of their actions . Liberation therefore involves escaping this cycle and the effects of karma . Importantly, the guide presents more than one possible route toward liberation , reflecting the diversity of Hindu religious practice. You will examine:

Key takeaway – Hinduism focuses on liberation from samsara through the fulfilment of dharma and different spiritual paths , with karma shaping the process of rebirth.

Hinduism

Buddhism approaches the human condition through the problem of suffering and continued existence within samsara . The syllabus highlights ideas such as craving, illusion, aversion, and dukkha as central to why human beings remain dissatisfied. Rather than salvation through a creator deity, Buddhism focuses on transforming understanding and conduct so that individuals can overcome ignorance, reduce attachment, and ultimately move toward enlightenment or nirvana . You will examine:

Key takeaway – Buddhism focuses on overcoming suffering and ignorance through ethical conduct, wisdom, and disciplined practice , with enlightenment as the ultimate goal.

Buddhism

Sikhism examines the human condition through the struggle between ego-centred living and a life focused on God . According to the syllabus, human beings fail to recognize the divine presence because they are distracted by maya, ego, and destructive tendencies . Liberation involves becoming gurmukh , or God-centred, and living according to the teachings of the Gurus through prayer, honest work, service, and spiritual discipline . You will examine:

Key takeaway – Sikhism focuses on overcoming ego, becoming God-centred, and combining devotion with honest living and service to others .

Sikhism

Judaism places strong emphasis on the relationship between God and the Jewish people and on living according to God's commandments. Unlike some traditions that focus heavily on what happens after death, the syllabus notes that Judaism gives particular attention to religious observance in this life . Human beings possess free will and must continually choose between good and harmful inclinations , with religious life guided by covenant, Torah, and mitzvot . You will examine:

Key takeaway – Judaism emphasizes covenant, commandments, moral choice, and faithful living in the present world , alongside hope for a future Messianic age.

Judaism

Christianity examines the human condition through the relationship between humanity and God . According to the guide, human beings were created in God's image and given free will , but sin creates separation from God. The syllabus presents Jesus Christ as the means through which salvation becomes possible . Different Christian denominations may place different emphasis on belief, sacraments, church authority, and interpretations of the afterlife , so internal diversity is important when studying this tradition. You will examine:

Key takeaway – Christianity centres on the relationship between humanity and God, the problem of sin, and salvation through Jesus Christ , with practices varying across denominations.

Christianity

Islam presents human life as a responsibility to submit to the will of God . The guide emphasizes that without divine guidance, humans may stray from the path of prescribed and prohibited actions . Religious life therefore involves recognizing God's oneness, following revelation, and practising the obligations set out within Islam . The afterlife is also central, with moral conduct and obedience to God connected to judgment, paradise, and punishment . You will examine:

Key takeaway – Islam centres on submission to God, divine guidance, and living according to revealed obligations , with belief and practice closely connected.

Islam

Taoism presents a very different understanding of the human condition from traditions that emphasize sin or salvation. The guide explains that Tao, or the Way, represents the original nature of reality , while human problems arise because people interfere with the natural balance of existence . The goal is therefore not to reach a distant destination, but to rediscover harmony with the Tao through simplicity, balance, and non-interference . You will examine:

Key takeaway – Taoism focuses on living in harmony with the natural order , reducing unnecessary interference, and restoring balance between opposing forces.

Taoism

Jainism sees human beings as trapped in samsara because the soul accumulates karma and remains tied to the material world. Liberation requires a disciplined process of purification and detachment . The guide places particular emphasis on non-violence, asceticism, and strict ethical conduct . Jainism therefore offers a distinctive understanding of salvation in which the individual seeks to free the soul from karmic burden and reach a state of pure consciousness . You will examine:

Key takeaway – Jainism emphasizes liberation through non-violence, self-discipline, and freedom from karmic attachment to the material world .

Jainism

The Baha'i Faith presents human life as a process of spiritual development . According to the syllabus, human beings are created with immortal souls and possess both a selfish or animalistic side and a spiritual side capable of developing divine qualities . The focus is therefore not simply on avoiding wrongdoing, but on gradually bringing one's life into greater harmony with God and contributing to the wider spiritual progress of humanity. You will examine:

Key takeaway – The Baha'i Faith emphasizes spiritual growth, unity, and alignment with God's will , with salvation understood as progress toward greater spiritual perfection.

Baha’i Faith

For Part 2, you study two religions in considerably greater depth . These must be selected from:

Approximately 40 hours are recommended for each religion . The guide recommends that the two in-depth religions also come from the five studied in Part 1, although this is not compulsory. The emphasis shifts from broad introductory knowledge to analysis . Each religion is examined through its own key concepts , but both are studied using the same five themes . Historical, social, political, and cultural context should be considered, although the main emphasis is on contemporary practice and the diversity that exists within religious traditions .

This theme examines the practices through which religious beliefs are expressed and reinforced . You will study:

You may consider the purpose of rituals, their relationship with doctrines or founding figures, and the ways they influence communal identity and everyday life . The syllabus also asks you to consider how ritual changes according to social, political, cultural, and gender contexts .

Key takeaway – Rituals show how beliefs become repeated actions that shape identity, community, and everyday religious life .

This theme focuses on the authority and interpretation of religious texts . You will study:

Important questions include who has the authority to interpret sacred texts, how texts are connected to key religious figures, and how translation or changing interpretations may affect authority .

Key takeaway – Sacred texts are important not only because of what they say, but because different communities understand their authority and interpretation in different ways .

This theme explores the main teachings that shape religious worldviews . You will study:

You will also investigate whether doctrines unite or divide religious communities and how they are reflected through rituals, leadership, art, architecture, and everyday practice .

Key takeaway – Doctrines provide the intellectual foundations of a religion, but different interpretations can create important variations within the same tradition .

This theme looks at religion from the perspective of lived experience . You will study:

You may also examine the role of music, singing, dance, biography, and testimony in shaping or expressing religious experience.

Key takeaway – Religious Experience focuses on what religion feels like and means to individual believers and communities , rather than only what official doctrines state.

The final theme examines how religious beliefs influence moral choices and responses to contemporary issues . The guide recommends using no more than three case studies , each focusing on a different national or international issue . Possible topics include:

You are expected to consider the interaction between religious and secular perspectives , including situations where religious teachings and legal systems may conflict .

Key takeaway – Ethics and Moral Conduct asks you to apply religious teachings to real contemporary controversies and evaluate how moral principles operate in practice .

The final component is the Investigative Study , which gives you the opportunity to independently research an aspect of religious experience, practice, or belief. The investigation should ideally involve direct engagement where appropriate. This might include:

The guide emphasizes the importance of a clear research question, appropriate methodology, and balanced representation of religious beliefs and practices . Your final written analysis is 1,500–1,800 words and follows five required sections:

The investigation should demonstrate that you can critically reflect on what your research revealed . You should also evaluate your sources and methods , explain whether your research question was successfully addressed, and consider how the project changed or deepened your understanding of religious beliefs or experiences.

In-depth studies

Doctrines/beliefs — Where the doctrines came from

Doctrines/beliefs — Statements of belief

Doctrines/beliefs — Cosmogony and cosmology

Religious experience — Group/individual experience

Religious experience — Meditation/worship/prayer

Religious experience — Gender and religious experience

Ethics and moral conduct — Interpretation/authority

Ethics and moral conduct — Ethical practice and legal issues

Islam | IB World Religions Syllabus

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Islam

Syllabus concepts to know

Rituals

Sacred texts

Doctrines/beliefs

Religious experience

Ethics and moral conduct