World Religions and Social Structures: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

A comprehensive vocabulary review covering key terms, historical figures, core beliefs, and practices across Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Brahmins

The highest social order in the Hindu caste system; mostly priests regarded as the most pure and intelligent, responsible for the transmission of knowledge from the Vedas.

Kshatriyas

The rulers and military class in the Hindu caste system, responsible for ruling and protecting.

Vaishyas

The providers in the Hindu caste system, consisting of farmers, merchants, and landowners.

Shudras

The servant classes in the Hindu caste system, consisting of workers, artisans, serfs, and those who provide personal services.

Serf

A worker tied to a piece of land.

Untouchables

Outcasts or Dalits ("the oppressed") who dealt with impurities, including sewer cleaning, handling the dead, leather work, and sweeping.

Dharma

In Hinduism, the aspiration for virtue, involving duties and rituals that must be followed according to one's caste.

Artha

In Hinduism, the aspiration for worldly and material prosperity.

Kama

In Hinduism, the aspiration for pleasure and emotional fulfillment to prevent repression, strain, and harm to sanity and well-being.

Moksha

In Hinduism, the aspiration for liberation from the endless cycle of reincarnation that traps the spirit.

Karma

The principle that individuals reap what they sow, where every good or bad action determines their status and rebirth in the next life.

Samsara

The cycle of rebirth or reincarnation caused by ignorance of the true nature of reality.

Four Noble Truths

The core Buddhist principles stating that: 1. Life is filled with suffering; 2. The cause of suffering is selfish desire for temporary pleasure; 3. The way to end suffering is to end all desire; 4. The way to overcome desire is by following the Eightfold Path (the Middle Way).

Right Association

The preliminary step of the Buddhist Eightfold Path, involving staying close to people or things that help one find and stay on the path.

Right Views

Step 1 of the Eightfold Path; having the mindset and guidelines necessary to make proper choices and head in the right direction.

Right Intent

Step 2 of the Eightfold Path; having clear purpose, dedication, and goals toward achieving greatness and enlightenment.

Right Speech

Step 3 of the Eightfold Path; maintaining awareness of one's speech to demonstrate good character and promote truth (veracity) and good charity.

Right Conduct

Step 4 of the Eightfold Path; acting properly by not killing, stealing, lying, or taking intoxicants that pollute mental focus.

Right Livelihood

Step 5 of the Eightfold Path; pursuing professions and occupations that assist others and help better the world.

Right Effort

Step 6 of the Eightfold Path; dedicating patient work, vows, and time toward achieving enlightenment goals.

Right Mindfulness

Step 7 of the Eightfold Path; paying attention to one's thoughts and feelings, recognizing that suffering stems from negative thinking.

Right Concentration

Step 8 of the Eightfold Path; purifying the mind and practicing disciplined meditation to achieve enlightenment.

Abraham

The shepherd with whom the religion of Judaism began.

The Exodus

The historical event in Judaism during which the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt to become free.

Moses

The figure who led the Jewish people out of Egypt during the Exodus and received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.

Ten Commandments

The divine commandments delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai; the first five govern human obligations to God, while the last five govern relationships among people.

Monotheism

The belief in one God.

Mitzvots

The 613 religious commandments recognized in Judaism.

Great Revolt

A massive armed rebellion (also called the First Jewish–Roman War) by the Jewish population of Judea against the Roman Empire from 66 to 73 CE.

Jesus

A Jewish teacher and carpenter born in Bethlehem (around 6 - 4 BCE) and raised in Nazareth; baptized by John the Baptist, performed miracles, preached ideas, was crucified by Roman authorities and Jewish leaders, and believed by followers to be the Messiah after appearing following his death.

The Gospels

The first four books of the New Testament that incorporate Jewish traditions like monotheism and the Ten Commandments while describing God's personal relationship with humans and the Eternal Kingdom.

Apostle Paul

An early Christian figure who helped spread Christianity beyond Judaism across the Roman Empire through his travels and writings.

Emperor Constantine

The Roman emperor who declared in 313 CE that Christians should no longer be persecuted or targeted.

Emperor Theodosius

The Roman emperor who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 CE.

Muhammad

The prophet born in 570 CE, orphaned at age 6, who received revelations from an angel in a cave near Mecca and taught that Allah is the one and only God, establishing himself as the last of God's prophets.

Bedouin

Arab nomads from whom Muhammad learned family and military values during his early life.

Five Pillars

The central religious obligations of Islam: Faith (belief in Allah and Muhammad as His messenger), Prayer (5 times daily facing Mecca), Alms (giving money/religious tax to the poor), Fasting (during Ramadan from dawn to sunset), and Pilgrimage (hajj to Mecca once in a lifetime).

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim is required to perform at least once during their lifetime.

Ramadan

The Islamic period of fasting during which Muslims refrain from eating between dawn and sunset.