Religious Studies key terms

The Buddhist community; the term can refer particularly to the community of monks and nuns.

The Jewish governing council in Jerusalem, including chief priests, elders and scribes, before which Jesus was brought.

A Hindu renouncer who gives up worldly attachments and lives simply in pursuit of spiritual liberation.

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.

The Sikh principle of the well-being of all, expressed in the closing petition of the Ardas prayer.

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

God’s presence and qualities as revealed within creation.

The adversary of God. Jesus’ rebuke of Peter as ‘Satan’ identifies Peter’s objection as opposition to God’s purposes.

‘True Name’: the Mool Mantra’s expression of God’s enduring truth.

The ‘true congregation’: a gathering whose company helps people focus on God and develop spiritually.

The quality of goodness, purity, harmony and clarity.

‘Holding firmly to truth’: Gandhi’s method of resisting injustice through non-violent action.

Fasting during Ramadan as an act of worship and obedience to Allah.

Travelling seven times between Safa and Marwah, remembering Hagar’s search for water for her son.

A descendant of Hashim, the Prophet Muhammad's great-grandfather. The share of Khums reserved for sayyids supports eligible members of this family.

Observable information used to test and support explanations of the natural world.

The view that the world can be explained through natural processes and scientific laws without supernatural explanations.

An expert in the Jewish religious law who interprets and teaches it; also called a teacher of the law.

Sacred writings regarded as authoritative within a religion, such as the Bible in Christianity or the Qur’an in Islam.

Scriptures believed by Muslims to have been revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), teaching belief in one God and submission to Allah. No known copy survives today.

Muhammad’s title expressing the Muslim belief that he is the final prophet.

Jesus’ expected return at the end of time, associated with resurrection and final judgement.

The Buddhist ethical commitment to refrain from taking what is not freely given.

Not based on religious authority or belief; secular arguments can appeal to fairness, rights and human wellbeing.

The process by which religion becomes less influential in society and people’s lives.

The ritual meal at Pesach in which the Exodus story is retold through readings, symbolic foods and actions.