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GCE Religious Studies
Unit J World Religions 1
Explanation of Terms
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GCE Religious Studies Unit J World Religions 1
Explanation of Terms
Buddhism
Term
Definition
Arahant
Sometimes spelt arhat or arahat.
One who is worthy of reverence as he has attained the penultimate state
before enlightenment. Seen as a goal for human beings in the Theravada
tradition.
Buddhism
The philosophy derived from all forms of the Buddhist tradition.
escapist
One who wishes to remain in a deluded state and chose not to face up to
the realities of living in the world and taking responsibility for their actions.
lay community
Those who are not ordained and in Buddhist culture provide for the material
needs of the monks or bhikkhus.
morality
Principles of right and wrong applied to intentions and actions.
negative /
pessimistic
An outlook on life in which the worst outcome is feared and little hope for a
good outcome determines a person’s attitude.
refuge
Used in Buddhism in relation the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. Taking refuge
means having faith and trust in the three jewels of Buddha, Dhamma,
Sangha.
right action
Part of the Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism in relation to morality.
Refers to the five precepts:
I undertake to refrain from harming other living beings.
I undertake to refrain from not taking that which is not given.
I undertake to refrain from sexual misconduct.
I undertake to refrain from taking substances which cloud the mind.
right concentration
Part of the noble eightfold path of Buddhism.
Pali term is Samadhi which means concentration of the mind on the chosen
object for the purpose of purifying and strengthening the mind. Ability to
develop one pointedness of mind. Linked to the higher states of
consciousness or jhanas.
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Term
Definition
right livelihood
Part of the noble eightfold path dealing with morality.
Earning a living honestly which does not contravene any of the five moral
precepts. Thus selling alcohol, using arms, being a butcher would be
against this precept and those professions leading to human well being
would be fulfilling right livelihood.
right mindfulness
Part of the noble eightfold path dealing with meditation and referring to full
and clear awareness of body’s feelings and mind.
right speech
Part of the noble eightfold path dealing with morality. Abstaining from lying,
malicious gossip, harsh and angry language and idle chatter.
right understanding
Part of the noble eightfold path dealing with wisdom. Refers to acceptance
of the four noble truths, and three characteristics of existence, dukkha
(suffering) anicca (impermanence) and anatta (no permanent self).
scholarship
The skill of studying with purpose and dedication particularly related to
religious teachings.
tanha
Literally means ‘thirst,’ refers to the second noble truth in Buddhism which
asserts that desire and craving are the cause of suffering.
wisdom
Knowledge and understanding of the human condition based on ancient and
current knowledge, as well as experience.
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GCE Religious Studies Unit J World Religions 1
Explanation of Terms
Hinduism
Term
Definition
Brahma
One of the deities in the Hindu Trimurti.
Brahma is the creator god who having brought the universe into existence
withdraws from the world in a meditative state. In visual forms of murti she
is shown having four heads looking in all directions. He holds the Vedas
which guide him, and the water pot (kamandalu) and mala beads for use in
rituals and meditation.
brahmacharya
The student stage in the four stages of ashramas. The first stage of life for
a Brahmin with strict celibacy and service to one’s guru is obligatory.
Durga
Considered to be one of the consorts of Shiva but a goddess in her own
right known as Mahadevi. Myth about the buffalo demon who chased the
gods out of heaven so the gods pooled their light and created the irresistible
female goddess Durga who with tremendous cosmic power and an array of
weapons defeated the demon. Powerfully protective of children and able to
overcome any danger.
Ganesh
Complex deity with elephant head. Son of Shiva. Iconography includes
large ears, curved trunk, large belly and broken tusk. Holds elephant goad,
noose, and sweets. Qualities of wisdom and supernormal attainments and
overcoming obstacles.
Goddess
In Hinduism, the term goddess is Shakti, which as the creative female
energy of the universe is essential to the continuing existence of the
universe. Many male gods have a female counterpart, e.g. Vishnu / Laksmi,
Shiva / Parvati. As important as male energies of male gods.
holy men
In Hinduism this refers to a range of people who have chosen to renounce
the world and includes gurus, rishis, swamis and sadhus.
Lakshmi
Goddess of prosperity and good fortune. Consort of Vishnu.
Iconography includes brimming jar filled with water and leaves and topped
with coconut symbolising fertility and abundance. Appeals to agricultural
workers who need good harvest and merchants who seek wealth.
Worshipped on many occasions during the year.
mandir
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Temple which in Hinduism are palaces or dwelling places for the god rather
than places for congregational worship.
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Term
Definition
personal deities
These are various manifestations of the impersonal absolute Brahman in a
human or animal form. Most popular ones are Krishna, Rama, and Ganesh.
polytheism
Worship of many gods often allied to the forces and powers of nature.
puji
Ways of worshipping in the home or the mandir.
sadhus
Those people who have chosen to become renouncers, i.e. that is to leave
worldly life of work and family life and devote their time to spiritual life and
study, yoga and meditation.
Saraswati
Goddess of learning and the fine arts. Consort of Brahma. Goddess of
speech, mantric sounds, music, poetry and education. Holds the lute, the
Vedas, mala beads and water pot.
vanaprasta
Third stage of life starting when the first grandchild is born and the person
retires from full time work and spends more time engaged in religious
practice and helps to educate the grandchildren.
Vishnu
Part of the trimurti, the preserver god. He brings order, harmony and moral
integrity to the universe when in danger of chaos or imbalance. Symbols
are various. Lying or seated on many headed cobra, Ananta, symbolising
cosmic energy and cosmic time. He holds the chakra to show maintaining
order and time, the conch shell for the music of the cosmos and calling
people to follow righteous life. The mace and crown signify kingly authority
and ability to protect the world from evil.
worship
festival – annual celebration of key religious events
Yoga
havan
– fire ceremony
yajna
– sacrificial rite
bhakti – loving devotion
jnana – knowledge
karma – actions
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GCE Religious Studies Unit 3G World Religions 1 Sikhism
Explanation of Terms
Term
Definition
Amrit sanskar
The ceremony of initiation into the Khalsa.
amritdhari
Sikh who has taken amrit sanskar.
Anand karaj
Sikh marriage in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib.
caste
The Hindu hereditary classes. However, the Sikh Gurus taught that
everyone is equal.
dharam yudh
Literally ‘righteous path’. A concept introduced by Guru Gobind Singh to
limit both war itself and behaviour during war.
ethics
The principles by which people live.
God
The one God; usually described as being omnipotent (all powerful),
omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (all present, eternal).
gurdwaras
Literally “the doorway to the Guru”. Any place where the Guru Granth Sahib
is installed.
guru
Literally ‘that which takes away spiritual darkness and gives spiritual light.
Gurus
In Sikhism, title given to ten men called by God to utter divine messages.
haumai
Literally ‘I / am’; often translated as ego. One of the concepts that prevent
people from obtaining mukti.
karma
The law of cause and effect. In Sikhism, the law of karma effects only the
family into which a person is born, not the remainder of their life.
keshdari
A Sikh who is keeping the 5Ks but has not taken amrit.
Khalsa Aid
A Sikh humanitarian organisation that helps all people regardless of religion
or nationality.
Kirtan
From the Punjabi word ‘kirat’ meaning ‘praise’; meditative singing of God’s
word.
kirt karo
Literally ‘earn your living through honest labour’, one of the three most
important teachings of Guru Nanak.
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Term
Definition
Life
c Meaning.
d Purpose.
maya
Wrong attachment to material things. One of the concepts that prevents
people obtaining mukti.
miri
Guru Har Gobind introduced the phrase miri-piri to teach that Sikhs had both
a temporal and spiritual duty; miri representing their temporal responsibility.
mukti
Spiritual liberation; being in the sach khand, or realm of truth, where God is
present. Mukti is only achieved through God’s grace and may be given
either during lifetime or at death.
Mul Mantra
Literally ‘seed mantra’; the first words of Guru Granth Sahib which are
regarded as a summary of Sikh teaching about God.
nam
Literally ‘name’; in Sikhism summaries all that God is, the divine essence.
nam japna
Continuous meditation on God’s name.
nam simran
Meditation using passages of scripture: simran means ‘remembering’.
panj kakke
(The 5Ks)
Symbols of Sikhism: Kachera; Kanga; Kara; Kesh; Kirpan.
patit
A Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa, but who has deliberately
broken on of the four main prohibitions of its code of conduct.
piri
Guru Har Gobind introduced the phrase miri-piri to teach that Sikhs had both
a temporal and spiritual duty; piri representing their spiritual responsibility.
Rahit Maryada
(Rehat Maryada)
The Sikh Code of Conduct, covering religious rites and ethical observances.
Including guidance for Sikh daily life and the religious practice in the
gurdwara.
religion
An organised faith system.
Religious tolerance
In Sikhism respect is shown to all religions. The Sikh Gurus actively
defended religious freedom, for example Guru Har Gobind when he freed
the Hindu rajas at the Gwalior fort.
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Term
Definition
sahajdhari
Literally ‘slow adopters’, these are people who desire to become Sikhs but
need a long period in order to do so. However, some Sikhs are unable to
keep the 5Ks because of employment regulations.
sant sipahi
Often translated as ‘saint-soldier’. Literally means someone who, because
of their spirituality, has courage like a soldier and therefore defends those
who are treated unfairly, normally using non-violent means.
secular
Its usual meaning is the absence of religion in public life, however, in India
‘secular’ means equal respect and recognition of all faiths.
Sewa (seva)
Usually translated as service. It is altruistic service for both God and all
people regardless of birth, gender or religion. All sewa is important.
vand kakko
Altruistic service for God and humanity. The phrase vand kakko is
interchangeable with sewa.
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