Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

Members of a church who are not ordained clergy.

A Tibetan observance commemorating the final passing of Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelug school, marked particularly by offerings of lights.

The free communal meal served to everyone at a gurdwara, expressing equality and sharing.

The judgement of all humanity at the end of time, when Christ returns.

The final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, at which he shared bread and wine and told them to remember him.

God's commands that guide human behaviour, including the commandments found in scripture.

The Night of Power, when Muslims believe the first revelation of the Qur’an was given to Muhammad through the angel Jibril.

A stand from which Scripture is read during worship.

The name given by the spirits possessing the man in Mark 5, explained as meaning that they were ‘many’.

The period of preparation for Easter associated with prayer, fasting and giving to others.

The outward struggle to defend Islam and the Muslim community, which can include armed defence under strict conditions.

Continued existence in some form after a person’s physical death.

The belief that earthly life provides opportunities to respond to difficulties through faith, patience and good deeds, for which people are accountable to Allah.

An approach which treats biblical statements and events as directly true as written, rather than interpreting them primarily as symbolism.

Worship which follows an established order, using set prayers, readings and responses.

The organised public worship of a religious community, including its established prayers, readings and ceremonies.

The part of the Mass involving the preparation of bread and wine, the Eucharistic Prayer including consecration, and the Communion Rite.

A service centred on Scripture readings and prayers, without the celebration of the Eucharist.

A Christian congregation serving a particular community, and the place where it gathers for worship and other activities.

A world or realm of existence in Hindu cosmology.

The prayer Jesus taught his followers, recorded in Matthew 6:9–13, which includes praise, submission to God’s will and requests for provision, forgiveness and protection.

Exercising restraint in looking, particularly by turning away from an inappropriate or sexually intrusive look.

A school of Islamic legal interpretation with an established approach to deriving rulings.

The Fourth Noble Truth: the path of practice leading to the ending of suffering. The Pali word means ‘path’ or ‘way’.

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, exercised by the Pope and bishops in communion with him.

An action disapproved of under Islamic law but not carrying a specified punishment.

A string of prayer beads used to count repetitions during practices such as japa.