Key terms & definitions

A mound or ridge of wind-deposited sand, often stabilised by vegetation.

The honoured person who holds the baby during the Brit Milah circumcision, often a grandfather.

The principle that conservation takes priority where the statutory National Park purposes are in irreconcilable conflict.

A structure with a lightweight core bonded between two outer faces, providing thickness and stiffness with relatively low weight.

People who support both their children and their ageing parents, often alongside paid work.

The congregation gathered for Sikh worship and community life.

The Buddhist community, particularly the community of monks and nuns.

The Jewish council of chief priests, elders and scribes which handed Jesus over to Pilate.

Systems and practices that keep surroundings clean and safely remove sewage and other waste.

The safe collection, removal and treatment of human waste and wastewater.

Safe disposal and treatment of human waste so that it does not contaminate water or food.

Provision of clean water and safe disposal of waste, including sewage, to reduce disease transmission.

Treating a cleaned surface or item of equipment to reduce microorganisms to a safe level.

A flow diagram in which the width of each arrow represents the amount of energy transferred.

A diagram in which arrow widths are proportional to the amounts of energy transferred, with branches showing different outputs.

The underlying unsatisfactoriness of conditioned existence: things depend on changing causes and conditions and cannot provide permanent security. Also called suffering of fabrication.

A Hindu renouncer who gives up worldly attachments and follows a life of spiritual discipline and simplicity.

Contentment: being satisfied with what one has rather than continually seeking more.

The Sikh ideal of a saint-soldier: a person who combines spiritual discipline and compassion with readiness to defend others against injustice.

The proposal that thinking depends on the language a person uses; its strong version says language determines thought, while its weak version says language influences thought.

A military engineer who undertakes tasks such as constructing defences, digging tunnels or laying mines.

The seven steps taken together by a couple in a Hindu wedding ceremony, expressing their commitment to married life.

The third stage of Sikh spiritual development: effort, in which the Guru's teachings shape the mind and virtues are put into practice.

The goddess of learning, wisdom and music, and the consort of Brahma.

A Sikh teaching expressing concern for the welfare or good of everyone.

A Sikh ideal meaning the welfare of all, expressed in the Sikh prayer called the ardas.

The Sikh ideal of working for the wellbeing of everyone.

A mocking or cutting use of language, often saying something different from what the speaker means.

A stone coffin, often decorated with images or inscriptions.

A stone coffin, sometimes made of marble and decorated with relief sculpture.