Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies key terms

An awakened or enlightened being. Gautama Buddha is the historical Buddha whose teachings form the basis of Buddhism.

The state of being a fully enlightened buddha.

The potential to attain enlightenment and become a buddha, emphasised in Mahayana Buddhism.

The Mahayana teaching that beings have the potential to become enlightened and attain Buddhahood.

An image or statue of the historical Buddha or another being believed to have attained Buddhahood.

An annual festival of Buddhist social action held in June, which began in Britain in 2012.

A Muslim garment covering the body and face, usually with a mesh panel over the eyes.

A person who leads the congregation's sung or chanted prayers, also called a hazzan.

The legally authorised execution of a person as punishment for a crime; also called the death penalty.

The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a person, activity or organisation.

A hereditary social group within a system that traditionally ranks people by birth. Sikh teaching rejects caste as a measure of human worth.

A person who prepares and leads a ceremony, such as a funeral. A Humanist celebrant works with relatives and friends to create a personalised, non-religious ceremony.

Abstaining from sexual relationships.

Controlling or limiting what people can see, read, hear or say, often because material is considered obscene, offensive or a threat to security.

An official survey of the population, collecting information about people and households. The religion question in the England and Wales census is voluntary.

Leavened grain products prohibited during Pesach.

Singing or rhythmic repetition of words, prayers or sounds, used to remember teachings, express devotion or focus the mind.

Worship emphasising the activity and gifts of the Holy Spirit, which may include speaking in tongues, prophecy or healing.

Remaining sexually abstinent before marriage and faithful within marriage.

A ceremonial whisk waved over the Guru Granth Sahib as a sign of respect.

A Jewish burial society that prepares the deceased for burial with dignity and helps families follow Jewish burial customs.

A Jewish ‘sacred society’ whose members respectfully wash, dress and prepare a deceased person for burial.

A ceremony in which business account books are blessed at Diwali, marking preparation for a new accounting year and reflection on one’s relationship with God.

A Christian charity that works with local partners to respond to crises, tackle poverty and injustice, and campaign for lasting change.

A UK organisation bringing Christians and Muslims together to build relationships, challenge hostility and work for the common good.

The Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus and God becoming human in him.

A cloth canopy supported by four poles under which a Jewish wedding takes place; it symbolises the couple’s new home.