Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

Aquinas’ term for the ultimate source of change, which causes change without itself needing to be changed by something else; he identifies this with God.

Action rooted in harmful states such as greed, hatred or ignorance, which contributes to suffering.

Morally unwholesome thought or conduct associated with greed, hatred and delusion.

The discriminatory practice of treating certain people as polluting and excluding them from ordinary social contact or shared facilities.

A sacred-thread initiation ceremony associated with beginning religious education in some Hindu traditions.

A Hindu sacred text concerned with spiritual knowledge, including the nature of the self and ultimate reality.

Equanimity: a balanced, impartial attitude towards beings, without favouritism or hostility.

A regular Buddhist observance day linked to the phases of the moon, especially associated with renewed religious practice in Theravada Buddhism.

The foundational principles or ‘roots of religion’ on which religious belief rests; the Five Roots are especially associated with Shi'a Islam.

An ethical theory that judges actions by their consequences, seeking the greatest overall happiness or well-being and the least suffering.

The spiritual abode of Vishnu and his devotees in Vaishnava belief; also described as spiritual worlds where devotees enjoy loving service to God.

A Hindu who worships Vishnu or his avatars, such as Krishna, as supreme.

A Hindu tradition centred on worship of Vishnu or his forms, such as Rama and Krishna, as supreme.

A Buddhist discourse in which the Buddha teaches the sick monk Vakkali that truly seeing him means seeing the Dhamma.

The view that the world is a place where humans can develop spiritually and morally through their responses to difficulties and suffering.

The Sikh teaching that a person should share what they have with others.

A broad social class in the traditional Hindu fourfold organisation of society.

Duties traditionally associated with a person's varna (social class) and ashrama (stage of life).

A discourse in the Sutta Nipata in which the Buddha teaches that deeds, not birth, determine whether someone deserves the label 'outcast'.

The annual three-month rains retreat in Theravada Buddhism, during which monks remain based in a monastery or temple grounds.

Ancient Hindu scriptures containing sacred hymns, ritual teachings and teachings about ultimate reality.

Someone who avoids animal products, including meat, milk and eggs, and seeks to avoid animal exploitation.

Someone who does not eat meat or fish, but may consume animal products such as milk and eggs.

John Rawls’ thought experiment in which people consider fair rules for society without knowing what their own position in that society would be.

The ability of a foetus to survive outside the womb, potentially with medical assistance.

A person who suffers harm or loss because of a crime or other wrongdoing.

A gathering for prayer and Scripture readings before the funeral, offering quiet support to those mourning.