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hij Teacher Resource Bank GCE Religious Studies Unit J World Religions 1 Explanation of Terms Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723) and a registered charity (registered charity number 1073334). Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX. Dr Michael Cresswell, Director General. 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. klm Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 2 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. klm Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 3 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 klm Temple which in Hinduism are palaces or dwelling places for the god rather than places for congregational worship. Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 2 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 klm Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 3 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. klm Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 2 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. klm Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 3 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. klm Copyright © 2007 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. 4