Religious Studies key terms

The grouping of the Eightfold Path into ethics, meditation and wisdom.

The grouping of the Eightfold Path into ethics (sila), meditation (samadhi) and wisdom (panna).

The Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha: the three sources of guidance and support in which Buddhists take refuge. Also called the Triratna or Three Refuges.

The Buddhist teachings of anicca (impermanence), dukkha (suffering or unsatisfactoriness) and anatta (non-self).

Ignorance, greed and hate: harmful mental attitudes that sustain craving, suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

The Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha: the three central sources of guidance and support in Buddhist life, also called the Three Jewels.

The principle of replacing animals with alternatives where possible, reducing the number used and refining procedures to minimise suffering.

‘Repairing the world’: the Jewish idea of working to improve the world through moral behaviour, social justice and care for people and the environment.

A religious contribution from a person’s income to support the work of their church.

Giving one-tenth of earnings or produce for religious purposes; some Christians continue this practice today.

Respecting other people's freedom to hold and express beliefs, even when one disagrees with those beliefs.

The first five books of the Jewish Bible, containing teachings and commandments central to Jewish life.

Christian teaching and faith handed down through the Church; Catholics understand Sacred Tradition as originating with the apostles.

The existence of the divine beyond the material world.

Beyond and not limited by the created world or human understanding.

The event in which Jesus’ appearance changes and his divine glory is revealed to Peter, James and John.

The passage of the soul from one bodily life to another.

The Roman Catholic belief that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ while their outward appearance remains unchanged.

Lasting spiritual value with God, contrasted in Jesus’ teaching with earthly possessions.

Food that is forbidden under Jewish dietary laws; also called treif.

Food that is forbidden under Jewish dietary laws, such as pork, shellfish or meat that has not been prepared correctly. Also written treif or treyf.

The three qualities of material nature: sattva, rajas and tamas.

The three divine forms associated with creation, preservation and destruction: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The three Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, associated with creation, preservation and destruction.

The Christian belief that there is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

A Buddhist movement founded by Sangharakshita whose communities put Buddhist teachings into practice through activities including meditation, generosity and service.

Living honestly and putting truth and religious teachings into practice throughout daily life.