Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course) key terms

A marriage entered into without the free consent of one or both people.

The Buddha’s four teachings that suffering exists, has a cause, can cease, and can be overcome through the Eightfold Path.

The four encounters that prompted Siddhartha Gautama’s spiritual search: an old person, a sick person, a dead person and a peaceful holy man.

The ability to choose how to act, including whether to do right or wrong.

A ceremony marking a person’s death, honouring their life and supporting mourners, usually before burial or cremation.

A ceremony or customary action that marks a person’s death and honours the deceased.

Literally ‘Garden of Eden’; in teachings about the afterlife, a term for paradise or closeness to God.

The eight additional rules traditionally accepted by Buddhist nuns, placing their order under the authority of monks.

A term associated with punishment or purification after death; Jewish interpretations of its nature and duration vary.

Acts of loving-kindness performed without expecting repayment, such as feeding hungry people or visiting someone who is ill. They can involve practical help as well as money.

Unfair treatment of someone because of their gender.

People of all genders having the same rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.

An unfair prejudgement about someone based on their gender.

Expectations about the responsibilities and behaviour of women and men in a society or family.

God making himself known through things available to everyone, such as nature and conscience.

The governing council of the Church of England, which discusses and makes decisions about Church matters.

The first book of the Bible, in the Old Testament, containing accounts of creation and humanity’s relationship with God.

A Jewish religious divorce document which ends a marriage under Jewish law when properly issued and delivered.

Recognising responsibilities towards people and the environment beyond one’s own country, as part of a shared world.

God’s freely given blessing or help, through which spiritual liberation becomes possible; also called kirpa.

A person who reads from and attends to the Guru Granth Sahib in a gurdwara; the role is not restricted to men.

The householder stage of life, traditionally involving marriage, raising children and supporting family and community.

A Sikh place of worship where the congregation gathers around the Guru Granth Sahib.

A person who follows the Guru's teachings and lives according to God's will rather than being guided by ego and selfish desires.

A spiritual teacher or guide; in Sikhism, the Guru leads people towards understanding God.

The Sikh sacred scripture, revered as the eternal, living Guru, which guides belief, worship and conduct.

A collection of reports of Muhammad’s sayings and actions, used by Muslims as guidance.