Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism Key Terms

300 key terms and definitions covering Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism for exam preparation.

B'rit

The covenant; an agreement made between God and the patriarchs of Judaism, representing a foundational concept of the religion.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful God, central to Jewish teachings as confirmed in the Book of Deuteronomy.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, characterized as law and a guide for Jewish life.

Mitzvah

Commands in Judaism, of which the Ten Commandments are a part, each commandment is referred to as a mitzvah, plural is mitzvot.

Halakhah

The collective body of Jewish law, combining the Torah, mitzvot, and rabbinic laws and customs.

Mashiach

The Jewish belief in a messiah who will come to redeem the people and resurrect the dead.

Children of Israel

The descendants of Jacob (Israel), central to Jewish identity and history, originating from the twelve sons of Jacob.

Kedushah

Holiness and ethical behavior as instructed by God, fundamental to Jewish practice.

Teshuvah

The act of repentance, a divine gift allowing individuals to reform from sins.

Shekhinah

The presence of God in the world, often represented as a feminine aspect.

B'rit Milah

The Jewish circumcision ceremony, signifying the covenant between God and the Jewish people.

Bar Mitzvah

A coming-of-age ceremony for Jewish boys at age 13, signifying their responsibilities under Jewish law.

Ketubah

The Jewish marriage contract outlining the rights and responsibilities of the groom to the bride.

Get

The religious divorce document in Judaism, which requires mutual consent from both parties.

Mourning Rituals

Traditional practices in Judaism concerning death, including the washing and covering of the body.

Birth Rituals

Ceremonies that affirm the covenant of the child with God, renewing spiritual connections.

Kiddush

The blessing recited over wine on Shabbat and Jewish festivals, signifying the sanctification of the day.

Siddur

The Jewish prayer book containing daily prayers and services.

Shema

A central declaration of faith in Judaism, affirming the oneness of God.

Minyan

A quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain religious obligations and communal prayers.

Bimah

A raised platform in a synagogue where the Torah is read during services.

Nevi'im

The section of the Hebrew Bible that includes the writings of the prophets.

Ketuvim

The third section of the Hebrew Bible, consisting of various writings including poetry and philosophical reflections.

Kashrut

Jewish dietary laws concerning permissible and forbidden foods.

Kippah/Yarmulkes

A skullcap worn by Jewish men to signify reverence towards God.

Tefillin

Phylacteries worn during prayer, containing verses from the Torah.

Tallit

A prayer shawl worn during morning prayers, reminding the wearer of God's commandments.

Havdalah

A ceremony marking the end of Shabbat, involving the blessing of a mixed spice box and a braided candle.

Shabbat

The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Pesach

Passover, a holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, characterized by the Seder meal.

Shavuot

A holiday celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, marked by the harvest of first fruits.

Sukkot

The Feast of Tabernacles, a festival commemorating the wandering of the Israelites in the desert.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, marked by reflection and making resolutions.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, the most significant holiday in Judaism designated for repentance.

Halakhic Authority

The interpretation of Jewish law as upheld by rabbinical teachings.

Mesorah

The tradition of Jewish law and practices passed down through generations.

Rashi

The medieval French rabbi and commentator, known for his insightful interpretations of the Torah and Talmud.

Maimonides

A medieval Jewish philosopher known for his works on Jewish law and ethics, notably 'Mishneh Torah'.

Brahman

The ultimate reality in Hinduism, regarded as the singular source of all existence.

Avatar

The physical manifestation of a deity on Earth, often in a human or animal form.

Trimurti

The triad of principal Hindu gods: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).

Murti

An idol or image used in Hindu worship as a representation of a deity.

Darshan

The experience of seeing and being seen by a deity, an act of spiritual connection in Hindu worship.

Dharma

The set of moral and ethical duties within Hinduism, encompassing one's righteous path and responsibilities.

Samsara

The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth in Hindu belief.

Maya

The illusionary nature of the world that distracts individuals from reality.

Gunas

The three qualities of nature (sattva, rajas, tamas) influencing human behavior and experience.

Moksha

Liberation from the cycle of samsara, the ultimate goal of Hindu spiritual practice.

Yoga

A spiritual practice in Hinduism that includes paths like Bhakti (devotion), Jnana (knowledge), and Karma (action).

Bhakti

Devotion to a personal god, considered one of the paths toward ultimate realization in Hinduism.

Jnana Yoga

The path of knowledge and wisdom, focusing on understanding of spiritual truths.

Karma Yoga

The path of selfless action, encouraging individuals to perform duties without attachment to results.

Atman

The individual self or soul in Hinduism, considered eternal and beyond physical existence.

Pap

Sinful acts that distance individuals from God within Hindu beliefs.

Punya

Good deeds or virtuous acts that bring an individual closer to God.

Annaprashana

The first feeding of solid food to a child in Hindu culture, marking an important rite of passage.

Chudakaran

The ceremony of shaving a child's head for the first time, symbolizing purity and new beginnings.

Upanayana

The sacred thread ceremony in Hinduism, marking a child's entry into spiritual education.

Samavartana

The graduation rite for students in Hinduism after completing their studies.

Vivaha

The Hindu marriage ceremony, emphasizing the spiritual union of husband and wife.

Ashrama

The four stages of a person's life in Hinduism: student (Brahmacharya), householder (Grihastha), hermit (Vanaprastha), and renunciate (Sannyasa).

Seva

Selfless service towards others, a key concept in many Hindu practices.

Shruti

Heard or divinely revealed texts, including the Vedas, forming the foundational scripture of Hinduism.

Smriti

Remembered texts and literature that provide guidelines and laws in Hinduism, such as the epics.

Bhagavad Gita

A sacred Hindu text that is part of the Mahabharata, consisting of a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna.

Mahabharata

One of the largest epic poems in the world, detailing the Kurukshetra War and moral dilemmas faced by its characters.

Ramayana

An ancient Indian epic narrating the life of Lord Rama and his quest to rescue his wife Sita.

Eschatology

The branch of theology concerned with the final events of history and the ultimate destiny of humanity.

Buddhism

A spiritual tradition founded on the teachings of the Buddha, focusing on the path to enlightenment.

Samsara (Buddhism)

The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, influenced by one’s actions (karma).

Nirvana

The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from suffering and the cycle of samsara.

Bodhisattva

A being who seeks enlightenment and helps others achieve it, remaining in the cycle of samsara out of compassion.

Four Noble Truths

The foundational principles of Buddhism, outlining the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.

Eightfold Path

The guide to ethical and mental development in Buddhism, leading to enlightenment and the cessation of suffering.

Right Intention

The commitment to ethical conduct and mental clarity as part of the Eightfold Path.

Right Speech

Speaking truthfully and harmoniously, another aspect of the Eightfold Path.

Daoism

A philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao, or the fundamental nature of the universe.

Wu Wei

The principle of non-action or effortless action, integral to Daoist philosophy.

Yin and Yang

The dual forces in Daoism representing complementary opposites, such as feminine and masculine, dark and light.

Ch’i

The life force or energy that flows through all living things in Daoist belief.