AQA GCSE Religious Studies key terms

A group of Buddhist traditions, meaning ‘Greater Vehicle’, which emphasises teachings such as sunyata and the possibility of attaining Buddhahood.

The Arabic word for angels.

A legally recognised union between two people as partners, which may also have religious significance.

A solemn promise made during a wedding ceremony about the couple’s commitment to one another.

Helping people in dispute find their own agreed solution, rather than imposing a solution on them.

A person who acts between two parties; Moses communicated God’s teaching to the Israelites.

Mental activities such as thoughts, intentions, likes and dislikes, which shape responses and actions.

Compassion shown towards someone, particularly when they could be punished for wrongdoing.

Meaning ‘anointed one’, from the Hebrew Mashiach; in traditional Jewish belief, a future human leader chosen by God who will bring about the Messianic Age.

A hoped-for future age of peace and justice. Jews differ over whether a personal Messiah will bring it about or humanity will help achieve it in partnership with God.

Loving kindness: an attitude of goodwill that wishes happiness for oneself and all other beings, without expecting a reward.

A meditation practice that develops loving kindness, gradually extending goodwill from oneself to others and ultimately all beings.

The Buddhist approach that avoids both indulgence in pleasure and extreme self-denial.

An angel associated with mercy who provides rain and nourishment for life on Earth by Allah’s command; also known as Michael.

A quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain communal prayers.

A Jewish commandment; the plural is mitzvot. The Torah contains 613 mitzvot.

A day of community social action, begun in Britain in 2008, on which Jews and non-Jews work together to help others and care for the environment.

Marriage to one spouse at a time.

Belief in one God.

Evil caused by human actions, such as violence or cruelty.

A commandment governing how people treat one another, such as the prohibition against stealing.

A situation in which opposing nuclear powers could destroy one another through attack and retaliation, intended to discourage either from attacking first.

Suffering caused by natural events or processes, such as earthquakes or disease, rather than human moral choices.

Avoiding sexual intercourse during the fertile part of the menstrual cycle to reduce the chance of pregnancy.

The belief that moral rules can be understood through reason by examining human nature and its purposes; in Catholic teaching, these purposes reflect God's design.

The Japanese practice of reciting or chanting the name of Amida Buddha, expressing faith in him.

The continuously burning light in a synagogue that symbolises God’s enduring presence.