Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

Earning a living through honest and ethical work.

The Sikh teaching that a person should earn an honest living rather than gain wealth through deception or exploitation.

The Sikh teaching of earning a living through honest work and fair dealings.

A blade carried by initiated Sikhs as an article of faith, reminding them of their responsibility to defend others against injustice.

The singing of Sikh sacred hymns.

The Book of Faith: the section of the Sahih Muslim Hadith collection containing teachings about belief, including the Hadith of Gabriel studied as Kitab al-iman 1:4.

Israel’s parliament, which passed the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty on 17 March 1992.

Spiritual understanding of the true nature of the self and reality, rather than simply possession of information.

Permitted under Jewish law, especially when describing food.

A Japanese funeral practice in which relatives use chopsticks to collect bones remaining after cremation and place them in an urn.

The Hindu virtue of forgiveness and forbearance, including patience towards others’ faults.

A member of the traditional Hindu warrior and ruler class, whose responsibilities include protection and the defence of righteousness.

The Arabic plural meaning ‘books’, used in Islam for holy books believed to have been revealed by Allah to prophets.

A Tibetan Buddhist teacher and reformer (1357–1419), honoured as the founder of the Gelug school, who emphasised ethics, monastic discipline, study and meditation.

The free communal kitchen associated with a gurdwara, where people are welcomed regardless of religion or social status.

God’s final judgement of humanity at the end of time, associated with Christ’s return and the resurrection of the dead.

An action taken only after other reasonable ways of resolving a problem have been exhausted.

The final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest, during which he gave them bread and wine to remember him.

The four wedding hymns composed by Guru Ram Das, describing a progression towards deeper love and spiritual union.

God's commands for how people should live, including the commandments found in scripture.

God understood as the source of commandments which guide human conduct.

A Buddhist who is not an ordained monk or nun.

The Night of Power, associated with the first revelation of the Qur’an to Muhammad and observed as a night of exceptional spiritual significance.

A recognised governing authority, such as a government, entitled to make decisions about entering and directing a war.

A season of repentance and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter.

The outward struggle against evil, which can include armed struggle to defend the Muslim community under strict moral conditions.

A Christian who is open to interpreting biblical passages symbolically and accepting scientific explanations alongside belief in God.