Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

Existing beyond the universe and not being limited by space or time.

Beyond the ordinary world and its limitations.

The event in which Jesus’ appearance changed before Peter, James and John, revealing his glory, as described in Matthew 17:1–13.

The Catholic teaching that the substance of the bread and wine becomes Christ’s body and blood, while their outward appearances remain unchanged.

A formal agreement between groups, such as an agreement to maintain peace.

Food forbidden under Jewish dietary laws. The word literally means ‘torn’, but is used more broadly for non-kosher food.

A legal process in which a group of members of the public considers the evidence and decides whether an accused person is guilty.

The three qualities of prakriti: sattva, rajas and tamas.

The three deities associated with creation, preservation and destruction: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The Christian belief that there is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

A modern Buddhist community whose devotional practices include the Threefold Puja, expressing reverence for the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

A Tibetan Buddhist spiritual master recognised as a rebirth or manifestation of an earlier master.

A small piece of earth or clay used by many Shi’a Muslims as the surface on which their forehead rests during prostration.

A Shi'a Muslim who recognises a line of twelve Imams and believes that the twelfth Imam is hidden and will return.

A branch of Shi’a Islam whose followers recognise twelve Imams as the rightful spiritual leaders after the Prophet Muhammad.

The Jewish principle of preventing unnecessary suffering to animals.

The Jewish duty of charitable giving, understood as an act of justice.

Justice or righteousness; a principle requiring fair treatment and protection of vulnerable people.

The Jewish teaching that human beings are created in the image of God, giving every person sacred worth.

The deepest reality underlying everything that exists, rather than one particular object within the universe.

The worldwide community of Muslims, united by their faith rather than their racial or national background.

Something that causes other things to exist but is not itself brought into existence by anything else.

The reduction or removal of a country's weapons without requiring other countries to do the same.

Strengthening the loving union of husband and wife through mutual self-giving.

The bonding significance of sexual intercourse: expressing and strengthening the loving union of a married couple.

Applying to everyone, regardless of nationality, religion, sex, wealth or other status.

The United Nations declaration proclaimed on 10 December 1948, setting out a common standard of fundamental rights for all people and nations.