Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies key terms

Deep respect or reverence, such as honouring the Buddha as an enlightened teacher.

A Buddhist monastery where monks or nuns live and devote themselves to studying and practising the Buddha’s teachings.

The collection of Buddhist monastic rules governing the conduct of monks and nuns.

Insight meditation that develops understanding of the true nature of things, particularly impermanence, suffering and non-self.

A good quality of character, developed through practice, that helps a person act morally.

Forming a mental image, such as an image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, to concentrate and reflect on their qualities.

The Hindu marriage rite, traditionally understood as a lifelong commitment.

Euthanasia carried out at the informed request of the person whose life is ended.

A solemn promise, such as the promises a couple make during a marriage ceremony.

A Sikh name for God, commonly translated as ‘Wonderful Lord’.

A marriage feast celebrating and publicly announcing a Muslim marriage.

A village in Norfolk, England, which became a Christian pilgrimage destination following a reported vision of the Virgin Mary in 1061.

Money, possessions and other valuable resources that a person or organisation owns.

A Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha’s birth; in Theravada Buddhism it also commemorates his enlightenment and death. Also spelt Vesak.

God’s self-expression, identified in John’s Gospel with the Son who became human as Jesus.

God’s message or self-expression; Christians use this phrase for scripture and, in a distinct sense, for Jesus Christ.

An international fellowship of Christian churches, founded in 1948, that works towards Christian unity, shared witness, justice and peace.

A British Jewish charity that supports vulnerable Jewish people and people beyond the Jewish community through emergency assistance, care and programmes supporting independence.

The worldwide community of Christians across different countries and denominations, rather than one church building or organisation.

Showing love, reverence and devotion to God, for example through prayer, singing or reflection on scripture.

Ritual washing performed to prepare for prayer.

A pointer used to follow the words of a Torah scroll without touching the parchment.

The annual anniversary of a person's death, marked by remembrance, prayers and the lighting of a candle. Also written as yarzheit.

The Day of Judgement, when everyone will be resurrected and judged by Allah.

The inclination towards wrongdoing in Jewish teaching.

The inclination towards doing good in Jewish teaching.

The Jewish Day of Atonement, devoted to repentance, prayer and seeking God’s forgiveness.