World Religions in-depth study guides vocab

Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Daoism

B’rit or Covenant

B’rit or Covenant

the agreement made between God and Abraham/Moses and the Jewish people—the Jewish expression of monotheism

Torah

Jewish law, teaching; the five books of Moses

Mitzvah

obligation/commandment in the Torah

Halakhah

Jewish law

Mashiach

Messiah

Israel

the children of Israel; the worldwide Jewish community; the land of Israel and the modern state of Israel

Kedushah

holiness

Love

of God and of neighbour

Teshuvah

repentance

Shekhinah

the presence of God

Tikkun olam

reparation of the universe

Trinity

the three-fold nature of God as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit—a Christian expression of monotheism

Incarnation

Jesus as God incarnate

Church

the whole community of the Church and individual congregations

Salvation

all believers will be saved as live in God’s presence

Kingdom of God

both earthly and heavenly closeness to God

Atonement

reconciliation between God and humanity through Christ

Sin

act or acts of rebellion against the will of God

Resurrection

Jesus Christ’s rise from the dead, and that of believers

Redemption

Jesus Christ as redeemer through his death on the cross

Repentance

recognition of the need to be saved from sin by God’s love

Reconciliation

uniting of believers with God through the sacrifice of Jesus

Grace

God’s love for humanity and the means to salvation through faith in Jesus

Logos

the Word of God incarnate as Jesus Christ

Agape

the love of God for humanity

Sacrament

(Protestant) an outward sign of a blessing given by God

(Catholic/Orthodox) the actual presence of God

Monotheism

belief that there is only one God

Iman

faith in God

Islam

submission to the will of Allah

Tawhid

oneness of Allah—an Islamic expression of montheism

Shirk

polytheism

Risalah

the message of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad

Yawm al-Din

Judgement Day

Akhirah

life after death

Umma

Muslim community

Ibadah

worship

Akhlaq

ethics

Jihad

struggle

Niyya

intention

kufr

unbelief

Dukka/Dukha

suffering

Tanha/Trishna

craving

Anicca/Anitya

change

Anatta/Anatman

lack of permanent self

Buddha

enlightened or awaken one

Bodhisatta/bodhisattva

an enlightened being who strives for the enlightenment of others

nirvana/nibbana

enlightenment

arahant/arhat

enlightetened person

samsara

cycle of life

Kamma/Karma

action leading to a state of rebirth

maya

illusion

sangha

community—monastic and lay

dhamma/dharma

teachings of Buddha, also the truth

Bhavana

mental discipline or meditation/formal training

Karuna

compassion

Panna/Prajna

wisdom

Sila

ethical conduct

Upaya

skillfulness/skill in means