Religious Studies key terms

The second stage of Sikh spiritual development: knowledge or wisdom, involving greater awareness of God and the unity of creation. Also spelt Gyan Khand.

Recognising membership of a worldwide community and responsibilities towards people beyond one's own country.

The long-term rise in Earth's average temperature, increased by greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Using God to explain something because a natural explanation is currently unknown.

The first person of the Trinity, understood as the creator and sustainer of the universe and a loving parent.

The second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is God in human form.

The principle of treating other people as you would wish to be treated.

The place where Jesus was crucified; its name means “place of a skull”.

Krishna’s eternal spiritual abode, where devotees enjoy loving, personal relationships with him.

A Tibetan Buddhist hall used for meditation or learning; the word can also refer to a monastery containing these spaces.

Something considered morally right, such as acting with compassion or helping someone in need.

A shelter where cows are protected and cared for, including when they are old.

A shelter where cows are cared for and protected, including cows that no longer produce milk.

The ‘good news’ about Jesus Christ and God's saving work through him; also the name for a written account of Jesus' life and teaching.

God’s freely given love and help, which draw people closer to him and strengthen them to live according to his will.

A person who reads and attends to the Guru Granth Sahib and may lead ceremonies; not an ordained priest.

Jesus’ instruction to his followers to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19).

The personal inward struggle to live according to Islam, including resisting temptation and fulfilling religious duties.

An excessive desire for wealth or possessions.

The householder stage of the traditional Hindu stages of life, involving marriage, family responsibilities and support for others.

The householder stage of Hindu life, traditionally involving marriage, raising children and fulfilling family responsibilities as part of spiritual practice.

A quality of material nature that influences thought and behaviour. The three gunas are sattva, rajas and tamas.

The words or teachings of the Sikh Gurus, expressed in sacred compositions.

A Sikh place of worship, where the Guru Granth Sahib is present.

A God-centred person who follows the Guru’s teachings and lives according to Waheguru’s will; literally, someone facing towards the Guru.

A festival commemorating an event associated with a Sikh Guru, such as a birthday or martyrdom.

Anniversaries commemorating events in the lives of the Sikh Gurus, including their births and deaths.