World Religions: Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the core concepts, figures, and practices of Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism based on the lecture notes.

Allah

The name Muslims use for God, who is described as all-powerful, transcendent, and the creator and controller of the world.

Qur’an

The direct word of God through which Muslims encounter Allah.

Five Pillars of Islam

Basic acts considered mandatory by believers that form the foundation of Muslim life, consisting of Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.

Shahada

One of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Salah

One of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Zakat

One of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Sawm

One of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Hajj

One of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Yahweh

The proper name of God in the bible according to Judaism, representing a formless, knowing, and eternal being.

Torah

A sacred text through which Jews encounter God.

Siddhartha Gautama

The Buddha whose teachings are followed in Buddhism instead of a single creator God.

The Three Jewels

Core Buddhist follows consisting of The Buddha (the ideal), The Dharma (teachings), and The Sangha (the community).

Dharma

The totality of Buddhist teachings about the world and how to live in it.

Sangha

The Buddhist community of monks and nuns.

Samsara

The continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Nirvana

Englightenment and the end of the constant cycle of rebirth.

Karma

The belief that a person’s rebirth is dependent on their previous thoughts and actions.

Human realm

The only one of the six potential realms in Buddhism from which a person can escape samsara.

Pali canon

The scriptures used in Buddhism.

The Four Noble Truths

Foundational teachings of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering (dukkha), its cause, its cessation, and the path to liberation.

Dukkha

The Buddhist term for the nature of suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path

The way to liberate oneself from suffering, shaping a Buddhist's ethical conduct, mental well-being, and personal growth.

Trimurti

The triad of the three Gods in Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Brahma

The mythical creator God in the Trimurti and the revealer of sacred knowledge, including the Vedas.

Vedas

Sacred knowledge revealed by Brahma in Hinduism.

Vishnu

The preserver of the universe, order, and harmony in the Trimurti who returns to Earth using animal and human avatars.

Shiva

The Destroyer/Transformer in the Trimurti who is seen as the source of both good and evil.

Brahman

The complex concept of God in Hinduism that believers perceive and seek to understand.