Glossary

Afterlife refers to what happens after death according to a tradition or worldview in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Ahimsa refers to the principle of non-harm toward living beings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Gandhi-influenced ethics, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Analects refers to the classic collection of teachings associated with Confucius in Confucianism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Ancestor veneration refers to ritual respect, remembrance, and ongoing relationship with ancestors in African, East Asian, Indigenous, and many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Anekantavada refers to the doctrine of many-sidedness or the complexity of truth in Jainism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Animism refers to a term historically used for belief in spiritually animated beings or forces in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Apocalypse refers to a revelation of hidden truth, often concerning cosmic conflict or final transformation in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Apostle refers to one sent with authority, especially in relation to Jesus and the early church in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Asceticism refers to disciplined restraint or renunciation for spiritual ends in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Asha refers to truth, right order, and cosmic righteousness in Zoroastrianism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Atman refers to the deeper self or soul discussed in many Hindu philosophical traditions in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Atonement refers to teachings about how Christ’s life, death, and resurrection reconcile humanity with God in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Avatar refers to a descent or manifestation of the divine in embodied form in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Avesta refers to the surviving scriptural corpus of Zoroastrianism in Zoroastrianism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Baptism refers to the rite of initiation involving water in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Bhagavad Gita refers to a major Hindu text structured as a dialogue on duty, action, devotion, and liberation in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Bhakti refers to loving devotion directed toward a deity or divine presence in Hinduism and devotional movements across South Asia, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Bodhi refers to awakening or enlightenment in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Bodhisattva refers to a being committed to awakening for the benefit of all beings in Mahayana Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Brahman refers to the ultimate reality or absolute ground discussed in many Hindu philosophical traditions in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Caliphate refers to the institution historically associated with succession and leadership in the Muslim community in Islamic history, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Canon refers to the recognized body of authoritative texts within a tradition in Scriptural traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Catechism refers to an organized summary of doctrine and instruction in Christianity, especially Catholicism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Clergy refers to trained religious leaders with ritual, teaching, or pastoral roles in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Communion refers to a term often used for participation in the Eucharist in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Contemplation refers to deep reflective or prayerful attention oriented toward spiritual transformation in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Covenant refers to a binding relationship of promise, obligation, and identity between God and a people or community in Judaism, Christianity, and related traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Dao refers to the Way, path, or underlying order discussed in Taoist thought in Taoism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Darshan refers to the act of seeing and being seen by a deity, saint, or sacred presence in Hinduism and related South Asian traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Denomination refers to a branch within a larger religious tradition in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Devotion refers to loving, reverent, or disciplined attachment directed toward the sacred in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Dhamma refers to the Buddha’s teaching and, in some contexts, reality or phenomena in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Dharma refers to a layered term for duty, law, teaching, truth, or righteous order depending on the tradition and context in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Dhikr refers to the remembrance of God through repeated phrases, names, or prayerful attention in Islam, especially Sufi practice, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Eschatology refers to teaching about the end, final destiny, or ultimate fulfillment in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Eucharist refers to the rite of communion commemorating and participating in the Last Supper of Jesus in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Exegesis refers to careful interpretation of texts, especially scripture in Scriptural traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Festival refers to a communal observance marking sacred memory, seasonal rhythm, or theological significance in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Filial piety refers to devotion, respect, and obligation toward parents and ancestors in Confucianism and East Asian traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Fiqh refers to the human understanding and interpretation of Islamic law in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Fravashi refers to a spiritual principle or pre-existent aspect associated with persons and divine order in Zoroastrianism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Gospel refers to good news and, more specifically, the canonical narratives of Jesus’ life and teaching in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Grace refers to divine favor, gift, or empowering presence in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Guru refers to a spiritual guide or teacher whose authority is tied to knowledge, practice, and transmission in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and modern spirituality, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Guru Granth Sahib refers to the Sikh scripture revered as the eternal Guru in Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Hadith refers to reports about the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Hajj refers to the pilgrimage to Mecca required of Muslims able to perform it in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Halakhah refers to the legal and practical framework governing much of Jewish religious life in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Halal refers to what is permitted under Islamic law in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Haram refers to what is forbidden under Islamic law in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Hermeneutics refers to the theory and method of interpretation in Comparative religion and theology, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Hukam refers to divine order, command, or will in Sikh thought in Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Icon refers to a sacred image used devotionally and theologically in Orthodox Christianity and other traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Imam refers to a leader in prayer or, in some contexts, a figure of theological and communal authority in Islam and Shia Islam in particular, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Incarnation refers to the doctrine that the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Jihad refers to striving or struggle in the path of God in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Jiva refers to the living soul or sentient principle in Jainism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Junzi refers to the exemplary or cultivated person in Confucian thought in Confucianism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Kami refers to the sacred presences or powers associated with Shinto life and ritual in Shinto, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Karma refers to the moral consequences of intentional action across lives, communities, and spiritual practice in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Karuna refers to compassion toward suffering beings in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Kashrut refers to the system of Jewish dietary law that shapes what is fit to eat in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Khalsa refers to the initiated Sikh order established with a strong emphasis on discipline, equality, and courage in Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Kippah refers to a head covering worn especially by Jewish men in many contexts as a sign of reverence or identity in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Kirtan refers to devotional singing or chanting of sacred words and names in Sikhism, Hinduism, and devotional traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Koan refers to a paradoxical statement, question, or exchange used in Zen training in Zen Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Kosher refers to what is ritually fit or proper under Jewish dietary law in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Lama refers to a spiritual teacher in Tibetan Buddhist traditions in Tibetan Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Langar refers to the shared meal served in a gurdwara to all without distinction in Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Li refers to ritual propriety, patterned behavior, and the shaping of moral life through form in Confucianism and Chinese traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Liturgy refers to the structured form of communal worship in Christianity and other ritual traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Lwa refers to spirits central to Haitian Vodou ritual and devotion in Haitian Vodou, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mahayana refers to a major Buddhist family of traditions shaped by expanded scriptural and philosophical developments in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mandala refers to a symbolic diagram or sacred configuration in Buddhism and Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Manifestation of God refers to a central Baha’i term for major revelatory figures through whom divine guidance is disclosed in Baha’i Faith, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mantra refers to a sacred phrase, sound, or formula used in prayer, meditation, or ritual repetition in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Matsuri refers to a festival associated with shrine life, community celebration, and ritual observance in Shinto and Japanese religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Meditation refers to disciplined mental or contemplative practice in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Messiah refers to an anointed figure associated with redemption, hope, or divine purpose in Judaism and Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Metta refers to loving-kindness or benevolent goodwill in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Midrash refers to a mode and body of interpretive reflection on scripture in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mihrab refers to the niche in a mosque indicating the qibla direction in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Minaret refers to a tower associated with mosques in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mindfulness refers to careful awareness or attentive presence in Buddhism and global modern practice, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Minyan refers to the quorum required in many Jewish contexts for certain communal prayers in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mitzvah refers to a commandment or religious obligation, often also used for a morally good deed in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Moksha refers to release from the cycle of rebirth and the realization of the highest spiritual goal in Hinduism, Jainism, and some Sikh contexts, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Monasticism refers to forms of disciplined communal or solitary religious life marked by vows, renunciation, or special practice in Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and other traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Monotheism refers to belief in one God in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mosque refers to a place of Muslim prayer, teaching, and communal gathering in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mudra refers to a meaningful hand gesture or bodily sign used in ritual, art, or meditation in Buddhism, Hinduism, and ritual arts, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Murti refers to a consecrated image or form through which divine presence is approached in worship in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Mysticism refers to forms of religious life oriented toward union, intimacy, or profound encounter with ultimate reality in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Nirvana refers to liberation from craving, ignorance, and the cycles of suffering in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Nontheism refers to a framework not centered on a creator God in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Offerings refers to gifts such as food, incense, flowers, money, or acts presented in a sacred context in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Oneness of humanity refers to the Baha’i teaching that humanity is one and should move toward justice and unity in Baha’i Faith, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Orisha refers to divine powers or deities especially important in Yoruba-derived traditions in Yoruba religion and African Diaspora traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Orthodoxy refers to right belief or correct teaching in relation to a tradition in Christianity and comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Orthopraxy refers to right practice or correct action in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Panentheism refers to the view that the divine includes the world yet exceeds it in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Pantheism refers to the view that divinity and the universe are identical in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Pilgrimage refers to travel to a sacred place for devotion, penance, blessing, or transformation in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Polytheism refers to belief in or worship involving multiple divine beings in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Prayer refers to speech, silence, thought, or gesture directed toward the sacred in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Progressive revelation refers to the idea that divine revelation unfolds through successive messengers across history in Baha’i Faith, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Prophecy refers to speech, warning, or teaching associated with divine commission in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Puja refers to devotional worship involving offerings, prayer, gesture, and reverence before the divine in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Purification refers to ritual acts that prepare a person or space for sacred engagement in Shinto, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and others, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Purity refers to states of cleanliness, fitness, or right relation in ritual or moral life in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Qi refers to vital force or energy discussed in multiple Chinese philosophical and religious traditions in Chinese traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Qibla refers to the direction Muslims face in prayer, toward the Kaaba in Mecca in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Rabbi refers to a Jewish teacher or religious leader trained in text, law, and communal guidance in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Reincarnation refers to the idea of life continuing through repeated rebirth or re-embodiment in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Druze, and modern spiritual discourse, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Ren refers to humaneness, benevolence, or authoritative humanity in Confucianism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Resurrection refers to rising from the dead or restoration to life in Christianity and other traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Revelation refers to divine disclosure or unveiling of truth in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Ritual refers to formalized actions that shape sacred meaning, memory, and communal life in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sacrament refers to a rite treated as a visible sign and means of grace in many Christian traditions in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sacred space refers to space treated as holy, set apart, or especially charged with religious meaning in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sacred time refers to time marked as holy through festivals, sabbaths, fasts, or ritual cycles in Many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Saint refers to a person recognized as especially holy or exemplary in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Salah refers to the prescribed ritual prayer performed by Muslims at set times daily in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sallekhana refers to a highly disciplined end-of-life fasting practice in specific Jain contexts in Jainism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Salvation refers to deliverance, redemption, or ultimate spiritual restoration in Christianity and many other traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Samsara refers to the ongoing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth from which liberation is sought in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sangat refers to the gathered Sikh congregation or fellowship in Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sangha refers to the monastic or broader community of Buddhist practitioners in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sawm refers to ritual fasting, especially during Ramadan in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Seva refers to selfless service offered to others as a spiritual practice in Sikhism and broader South Asian traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Shabbat refers to the Sabbath observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sharia refers to the broad path of divine guidance in Islamic thought and practice in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Shekhinah refers to a term associated with the indwelling or manifest presence of God in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Shrine refers to a place of focused reverence, often marking the presence of the sacred in Shinto and many traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sufi refers to relating to Islamic mystical or spiritual traditions often called Sufism in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sunnah refers to the normative example associated especially with the Prophet Muhammad in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Sutra refers to a sacred or instructional text in Buddhism and other Indian traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Synagogue refers to a Jewish place of prayer, study, and community gathering in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Syncretism refers to the blending, overlapping, or interweaving of religious forms in Comparative religion, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Talmud refers to a foundational rabbinic compendium of law, debate, and interpretation in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Tantra refers to a cluster of esoteric ritual and contemplative traditions in Hinduism and Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Tawhid refers to the oneness and uniqueness of God in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Theravada refers to one of the major living Buddhist traditions, historically rooted in the Pali Canon in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Tirthankara refers to a ford-maker or enlightened teacher who shows the path to liberation in Jainism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Torah refers to the foundational written teaching at the heart of Jewish life and learning in Judaism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Torii refers to a gate marking entry into shrine space in Shinto, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Trinity refers to the Christian doctrine that God is one in essence and three in persons in Christianity, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Ummah refers to the wider community of Muslims in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Upanishads refers to texts that explore selfhood, ultimate reality, knowledge, and liberation in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Vajrayana refers to a form of Buddhist practice emphasizing esoteric methods, ritual, and accelerated paths in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Vedas refers to ancient Sanskrit scriptures foundational to the historical development of Hindu traditions in Hinduism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Vipassana refers to insight meditation associated especially with Theravada and modern meditation movements in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Waheguru refers to a revered name for God used in prayer and devotion in Sikhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Wu wei refers to non-forcing or effortless action aligned with the Dao in Taoism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Wudu refers to ritual ablution before prayer in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Yin yang refers to a polarity describing dynamic complementary forces in Chinese traditions, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Yoga refers to disciplined paths of bodily, mental, and spiritual training aimed at union, clarity, or liberation in Hinduism and global modern spirituality, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Zakat refers to obligatory almsgiving and one of the Five Pillars of Islam in Islam, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Zazen refers to seated meditation in Zen practice in Zen Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.

Zen refers to a Buddhist tradition emphasizing meditation, practice, and direct engagement with awakening in Buddhism, though its meaning depends heavily on context and interpretation.