1. Belief Systems Vocabulary

2. Atman
Spiritual oneness with the soul.
Believed in by Hindus.

3. The Analects
Book of teachings by Confucius.

4. Brahman
The idea of one unifying spirit which is part of Hinduism.

5. Caste System
A set of rigid categories in ancient India that determines a person’s occupation and economic position in society, based partly on skin color.

6. Confucius
Founder of Confucianism.

7. Dharma In Hindu law. The divine law that rules karma.
Requires all people to do their duty based on status in society.

8. Eightfold Path In Buddhism. The belief of how to get rid of suffering.
Actions that people will do to get rid of suffering.

9. Filial Piety
The duty of family members to subordinate their needs to those of the male head of family.
Confucianism is based on this.

10. Five Pillars of Islam Code of conduct for Islam. They include:
One god, Allah.
Pray 5X’s a day.
Alms to the poor.
Fast during Ramadan
Trip to Mecca 1X in their life.

11. Five Relationships
Belief in Confucianism which will create order in society.

12. Four Noble Truths
The belief in Buddhism of all life being suffering and what needs to be done to eliminate suffering.

13. Ganges River
Holiest river in which the Hindus bath in to purify the soul.

14. Siddhartha Gautama Founder of Buddhism.
Also known as the Enlightened One and Buddha.

15. Hajj
Pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the 5 pillars.

16. Holy Land Located in present day Middle East.
Is the holy land for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

17. Jihad
Struggle in the way of God.
Islam idea of “Holy War”.

18. Karma
Force generated by a person’s actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life.
Idea of Hinduism.

19. Mecca Holy land for Islam. Where Mohammad began his teachings.
Place where he began his journey from Mecca to Medina to escape.

20. Mohammad
Founder of Islam.

21. Monotheism Belief in one Gods.
Religions are Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

22. Mosque
Islamic place of worship.

23. New Testament 2nd part of the Christian Bible.
Provides a record of Jesus life and teachings.

24. Nirvana Belief in Buddhism.
Ultimate reality, the end of the self and a reunion with the Great World Soul.

25. Old Testament 1st book of Christianity Bible.
Has Hebrew scriptures, books of law, history and poetry.

26. Pilgrimage
A journey to a holy place/shrine.

27. Polytheism Belief in many Gods.
Religions include Hinduism, Animism and Shintoism.

28. Qu’ran (Koran)
Holy scriptures (book) of the religion of Islam.

29. Rabbi
Religious leader of the Jews.

30. Reincarnation
The rebirth of an individuals soul in a different form after death.
Followed in both Hinduism and Buddhism.

31. Ten Commandments Ethical code of conduct for Jews/Christians.
Given to Moses according to the Jews.

32. Torah
Holy book for the Jews.