Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies key terms

Spiritual liberation: freedom from the cycle of birth and death and from the grip of selfish ego, involving union with God.

A physical representation of a Hindu deity that can serve as a focus for worship.

The Name of God, remembered and meditated upon as a way of keeping the mind centred on God.

Remembering and reciting God’s name as an expression of devotion.

The Sikh name-giving ceremony, which celebrates a child’s birth and welcomes the child into the community.

Remembrance of and meditation on God’s name.

A public procession involving the singing of Sikh hymns, with the Guru Granth Sahib at its centre.

The Muslim duty to discourage wrongdoing and bad actions; also written as Nahi Anil Munkar.

The birth of Jesus, especially as recounted in the Gospels and represented in Christmas plays or scenes.

Suffering caused by natural processes rather than human wrongdoing, such as earthquakes or disease.

Avoiding sexual intercourse during fertile times in the menstrual cycle in order to avoid pregnancy.

A moral approach associated with Thomas Aquinas which uses reason to identify and follow God's purposes in human nature.

The process by which organisms with inherited characteristics suited to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass those characteristics on.

The closing service of Yom Kippur, associated with the closing of the gates of repentance.

The 'eternal light' kept alight near or above the Holy Ark, symbolising God's constant presence.

The section of the Tenakh known as the Prophets, containing historical accounts and prophetic teachings.

A member of a distinctive Sikh warrior order associated with blue clothing, weapons and the preservation of Khalsa traditions.

A Muslim marriage contract, and the ceremony through which the marriage is established.

A temporary marriage accepted by some Twelver Shi’a Muslims, whose contract specifies an agreed duration and a required mahr.

A Muslim face veil that usually leaves the eyes visible.

God’s nature beyond form and human comprehension.

‘Without qualities’: Brahman understood as beyond form and limiting descriptions.

The cessation of craving and suffering; the third Noble Truth.

Liberation from samsara and the end of suffering; also called nibbana.

The minimum level of wealth a Muslim must possess before becoming liable to pay Zakah, taking account of basic needs.

The Sikh flag, usually yellow or orange and bearing the Khanda symbol, which identifies a gurdwara.

The second stage of Jewish marriage, which completes the marriage and begins the couple’s married life together.