Religion Vocabulary

Polytheism

Belief in more than one god

Reincarnation

Belief in rebirth of the soul until a perfect understanding is achieved

HinduismBuddhism

Karma

All of the deeds and actions of this life that affect your next life

By living a good life you will be reborn into a higher level in the next life

Caste System

Social group that you are born intoBy acquiring good karma you can be reborn

into a higher caste

A person is born into a

casteLower caste

Higher caste

In this lifeIn next life

If good and obeys

caste rules

If bad and breaks caste rules

Monotheism

Belief in one godJudaismChristianityIslam

A scattering of peopleHebrews were forced to leave their homeland

in Palestine

Diaspora

Buddhism

Four Noble Truths—essence of Buddha’s teachings

Eightfold Path—follow this and you could reach Nirvana

Nirvana

Release from the cycle of rebirth

Muslim

People who practice Islam

5 Pillars of Faith

Alms-charityPrayer—five times a day facing MeccaHajj—pilgrimage to Mecca Fasting—during the month of RamadanProfession of faith—belief in one god--Allah

5 Relationships

Confucianism SuperiorRuler,

husband, father, older

brother, friend

InferiorSubject, wife, son, younger

brother, friend

Takes care of and sets a good example for

Owes loyalty and obedience to