Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

A Buddha associated with infinite life, whose visualisation and Pure Land are described in the Amitāyus Meditation Sutra; closely associated with Amitābha, the Buddha of infinite light.

The duty to encourage or command what is morally right.

The duty to encourage others to do what is good and right according to Islamic teaching.

The mixture of water and sugar prepared with scriptural recitation and used in Sikh initiation.

A Sikh who has received amrit through the initiation ceremony and belongs to the Khalsa.

The Sikh initiation ceremony through which a person joins the Khalsa.

A comparison between two things used to explain an idea or support a conclusion.

A Buddhist scripture on mindfulness of breathing, set around full-moon gatherings at the end of the rains retreat and during the following month.

The Buddhist teaching that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.

A spiritual being created from light who serves Allah, for example by delivering messages or recording human deeds.

A tradition within Anglican Christianity that emphasises continuity with the Catholic teaching and worship of the historic Church, including sacraments and the beauty of worship.

The Buddhist teaching of impermanence: all conditioned things change and do not last forever.

Giving or sharing food with others as an act of charity.

A declaration that a marriage was not valid from the beginning, rather than the ending of a valid marriage.

The announcement to Maryam that she would miraculously conceive and give birth to Isa.

Applying oil, perfume or another substance to someone’s body, sometimes as an act of honour or preparation for burial.

The divine dwelling within the hearts of all beings; the name means ‘the controller within’.

A name commonly used by Protestants for writings included in Catholic or Orthodox Old Testaments but outside the Protestant canon. Some Protestants value them for instruction without accepting them as authoritative Scripture.

A reasoned explanation and defence of religious belief, rather than an expression of regret.

Someone sent out with a mission. Jesus’ Twelve are called apostles because he sends them to preach and serve.

Rooted in the apostles and continuing their teaching and mission.

The continuity of ordained ministry from the apostles through successive generations of bishops.

An animal sacrifice offered to mark a child’s birth, with meat shared with others.

Intellect or reason; an important method of legal reasoning in the Ja’fari school of Shi’a Islam.

A person who has attained enlightenment and nibbana by following the Buddha's teaching; the ideal especially emphasised in Theravada Buddhism. Also called an arhat.

A Sikh prayer of petition and thanksgiving.

The sacred cupboard or recess in a synagogue where Torah scrolls are kept; also called the Aron Hakodesh.