Religious Studies Final

HINDUISM

Ahimsa: The principle of nonviolence toward all living beings, central to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Atman: The eternal soul or self in Hindu philosophy, considered the essence of an individual that transcends physical existence.
Bhagavad Gita: A sacred Hindu scripture, part of the Mahabharata, presenting a conversation between Krishna and Arjuna on duty, devotion, and righteousness.
Karma: The law of cause and effect, where a person's actions (good or bad) determine their future experiences.
Krishna: A major deity in Hinduism, regarded as an avatar of Vishnu and a central figure in the Bhagavad Gita.
Puja: A ritual worship in Hinduism involving offerings to deities, performed at temples or home altars.
Ramayana: An epic Hindu scripture narrating the life of Rama, his devotion to dharma, and his quest to rescue his wife Sita.

BUDDHISM

Bodhisattva: A being who seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but for all sentient beings, central to Mahayana Buddhism.
Dukkha: The Buddhist concept of suffering, dissatisfaction, or unsatisfactoriness inherent in life.
Nirvana: The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and freedom from suffering.
Pure Land: A Mahayana Buddhist concept of a heavenly realm created by the merits of Amitabha Buddha, where practitioners aim to be reborn.
Sangha: The Buddhist community of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners devoted to the teachings of the Buddha.
Tripitaka: The "Three Baskets," a collection of Buddhist scriptures that include teachings, rules for monastic life, and philosophical discourses.
Upaya: Skillful means or methods used by Buddhist teachers to guide others toward enlightenment.
Zazen: Seated meditation, a central practice in Zen Buddhism focused on mindfulness and self-realization.

JUDAISM

Kashrut: Jewish dietary laws governing permissible (kosher) food and preparation methods.
Mitzvah: A commandment in Jewish law; often refers to a good deed or religious duty.
Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, marking the beginning of the High Holy Days and a time of reflection and repentance.
Talmud: A central text of Rabbinic Judaism containing interpretations and discussions of the Torah.
Torah: The foundational Jewish text, comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, and central to Jewish law and teachings.
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to fasting, prayer, and repentance.
Zionism: A movement advocating for the establishment and support of a Jewish homeland in the historic land of Israel.

CHRISTIANITY

Atonement: The reconciliation between humanity and God, often through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Christian theology.
Baptism: A Christian sacrament symbolizing purification and initiation into the faith, often through water immersion or sprinkling.
Crucifixion: The execution of Jesus on the cross, central to Christian beliefs about redemption and salvation.
Eucharist: A sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, where bread and wine are consecrated and consumed.
Evangelicals: Christians emphasizing the authority of Scripture, personal conversion, and spreading the gospel.
Nicaea: Refers to the Council of Nicaea (325 CE), which established key Christian doctrines, including the Nicene Creed.
Reconciliation: A sacrament or act of restoring a right relationship between individuals and God, often involving confession.
Sacrament: A religious rite considered to impart divine grace, such as baptism or the Eucharist.

ISLAM

Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, required at least once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able.
Jihad: Struggle or striving in the path of Allah; often refers to both personal spiritual effort and, in some contexts, defense of the Muslim community.
Mecca: The holiest city in Islam, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad, and the location of the Kaaba.
Salat: The ritual prayer performed five times a day by Muslims, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours.
Shahadah: The declaration of faith in Islam, stating "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger."
Ummah: The global Muslim community bound together by faith and shared beliefs.
Zakat: The practice of almsgiving or charitable donation, typically calculated as a percentage of a Muslim's wealth.

THEORIES OF RELIGION

Alienation: A concept from Marxist theory describing the estrangement individuals feel from society, work, or their essence due to capitalist systems.
Anomie: A sociological concept introduced by Émile Durkheim, describing a state of normlessness or social instability caused by a breakdown of values.
Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class in Marxist theory, owning the means of production and exploiting the working class (proletariat).
Collective Consciousness: Durkheim's idea of shared beliefs, values, and norms that unify a society.
Collective Effervescence: A Durkheimian term describing the energy and unity people experience during shared rituals or gatherings.
Ideology: A set of ideas or beliefs, often used in social theory to describe systems that justify power structures.
Kin Selection: A biological theory suggesting that behaviors favoring the survival of relatives increase an individual's genetic fitness.
Proletariat: The working class in Marxist theory, exploited by the bourgeoisie in a capitalist society.
Reciprocal Altruism: A concept in evolutionary biology where individuals help others with the expectation of future assistance.
Superego: In Freudian psychology, the part of the psyche representing internalized moral standards and conscience.
Totem: A symbolic object or animal revered by a group, often representing shared identity or spiritual significance.
Virtue Signaling: The act of expressing moral or political values, often to gain social approval or display alignment with a group.