Interfaith Glossary
Explore religious terms and concepts across traditions. Search by name or browse alphabetically.
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A
Ahimsa
Non-violence and non-harm toward all living beings in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain ethics. A fundamental principle of Indian spirituality.
Ahl al-Kitab
People of the Book in Islamic terminology—Christians, Jews, and other communities that possess revealed scriptures prior to the Quran.
Ain Sof
In Kabbalah, the infinite, unknowable divine essence that transcends all definition and manifestation. The ultimate source of all being.
Aliyah
The immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel. Also refers to the honor of being called to read from the Torah during synagogue services.
Apocrypha
Religious texts not included in the biblical canon of a faith tradition. Often considered non-authoritative but still spiritually valuable.
Atman
The eternal soul or self in Hindu philosophy, believed to be identical with Brahman. The divine essence within each living being.
Atonement
The reconciliation of God and humanity through the sacrifice of Christ, or more broadly, the act of making amends for wrongdoing.
Avatar
An incarnation of a deity in Hindu tradition, most commonly referring to the ten incarnations of Vishnu. God taking physical form on earth.
B
Baptism
A Christian sacrament involving water, symbolizing cleansing from sin and entry into the church. Commemorates Jesus' baptism by John.
Barakah
The divine blessing, grace, or spiritual power flowing from God in Islamic belief. Often associated with holy places, times, and righteous persons.
Bhakti
Devotion and emotional surrender to God in Hindu spirituality. A path to salvation through love and devotion to the divine.
Bid'ah
In Islamic theology, an innovation or new practice in religion not explicitly sanctioned by the Quran or Sunnah, often seen as heretical.
Bodhisattva
In Mahayana Buddhism, a being destined for enlightenment who postpones nirvana to help all sentient beings achieve liberation.
Brahman
The ultimate reality, absolute consciousness, and divine principle underlying all existence in Hindu philosophy. Beyond time, space, and description.
C
Canon
The official list of sacred texts recognized as authoritative by a religious tradition. Determines which writings are scripture and which are apocrypha.
Catechism
A systematic summary of Christian or religious teachings in question-and-answer format used for instruction and religious education.
Contemplation
Deep meditative reflection on divine truth or spiritual reality. A practice across multiple traditions aiming for inner peace and spiritual insight.
Covenant
A binding agreement between God and humanity. In Abrahamic religions, God's covenant with Abraham promises land, descendants, and divine blessing.
D
Dana
Generosity or charitable giving in Buddhist practice. Seen as a means of reducing attachment and accumulating merit.
Dharma
In Eastern religions, the cosmic law of duty, righteousness, and moral order. In Buddhism, it refers to Buddhist teachings and natural law.
Diaspora
The scattering of Jewish people throughout the world following destruction of the Temple, establishing communities outside the Land of Israel.
E
Ecclesiology
The theological study of the church—its nature, structure, authority, mission, and relationship to God and the world.
Eschatology
The religious and philosophical study of the end of the world, final judgment, heaven, hell, and the ultimate destiny of humanity and the universe.
Eucharist
A Christian sacrament commemorating Jesus' last meal with his disciples, involving the consumption of bread and wine as spiritual nourishment.
F
Fasting
Voluntary abstention from food or drink for spiritual discipline, penance, or commemoration. Practiced across all major religions.
G
Galut
In Jewish tradition, the concept of exile and alienation from God and homeland. Represents spiritual and physical displacement from divine presence.
Gemara
The commentarial section of the Talmud, containing rabbinical discussions and interpretations of the Mishnah. The longer analytical portion.
Gnosticism
An esoteric spiritual tradition claiming secret knowledge of divine truth, emphasizing inner spiritual knowing over institutional faith.
Gospel
The four accounts of Jesus' life and teachings (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), or more broadly, the Christian message of Jesus as salvation.
Grace
God's unmerited favor and gift to humanity. In Christian theology, grace is the basis of salvation—freely given and unearned.
H
Hadith
Reports of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, transmitted through chains of narrators. Second most authoritative source after the Quran.
Halakha
Jewish law derived from Torah, Talmud, and rabbinic interpretation. Regulates all aspects of Jewish religious and ethical life.
Heresy
A religious doctrine or belief that contradicts the established dogma or orthodox teachings of a faith tradition. Often results in excommunication or persecution.
Hypostatic Union
The theological doctrine that Jesus Christ is fully divine and fully human—two natures united in one person without separation or mixture.
I
Iconoclast
One who opposes or destroys religious images and icons, believing them to be idolatrous. The Iconoclastic Controversy profoundly shaped Christian theology.
Ijaz
The inimitability of the Quran in Islamic belief—the idea that the Quran is linguistically and miraculously perfect and cannot be replicated.
Indulgence
In Catholic tradition, the remission of temporal punishment for sins whose guilt has been forgiven. Caused major controversy during the Reformation.
Isnad
The chain of narrators in hadith transmission, establishing authenticity and reliability of prophetic traditions.
J
Jihad
In Islam, the struggle against evil and sin. Often refers to spiritual struggle within oneself, though sometimes to defensive military action.
K
Kabbalah
Jewish mystical tradition seeking to understand God's hidden nature and the spiritual structure of reality through meditation, interpretation, and contemplation.
Karma
The principle of cause and effect in ethics and spirituality. Actions produce consequences that shape one's present life and future rebirths.
Kenosis
The self-emptying of Christ, who humbled himself and took on human form to accomplish salvation. Describes Christ's voluntary limitation and sacrifice.
Khalifa
A caliph or leader of the Muslim community, considered a successor to the Prophet Muhammad in political and religious authority.
Koan
A paradoxical anecdote or riddle in Zen Buddhism designed to provoke enlightenment by transcending rational thought.
Kufr
Disbelief and rejection of Islamic faith and divine revelation. Those who commit kufr are called kafir (non-believer).
L
Liturgy
The formal public worship services and rituals of a religious tradition, often following prescribed forms and structures. Includes prayers, hymns, readings, and sacraments.
M
Mahayana
The Great Vehicle school of Buddhism emphasizing the Bodhisattva path and the enlightenment of all sentient beings. Prevalent in East Asia.
Mandala
A geometric representation of the universe in Buddhism and Hinduism, used as a focus for meditation and spiritual practice.
Mantra
A sacred word, phrase, or sound used in Hindu and Buddhist practice for meditation, protection, and spiritual transformation.
Maya
The illusion of phenomenal reality in Hindu philosophy. The cosmic illusion through which God manifests the material world.
Meditation
A spiritual practice of focused mental discipline, often aiming to achieve inner peace, enlightenment, or union with the divine.
Metta
Loving-kindness or benevolence toward all beings in Buddhist practice. Cultivated through meditation to develop compassion.
Midrash
Jewish scriptural interpretation and homiletical teaching elaborating on biblical texts. Uses creative methods to derive meaning and wisdom from scripture.
Minyan
A quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain communal prayers and religious services in Jewish tradition.
Mishnah
The foundational rabbinic text compiled around 200 CE, containing oral Jewish law and teachings. Forms the basis of the Talmud.
Mitzvah
A divine commandment or law in Jewish tradition; more broadly, a good deed or religious obligation. Plural: mitzvot.
Moksha
Liberation or release from the cycle of reincarnation in Hindu philosophy. The ultimate goal of spiritual practice—union with Brahman.
Monotheism
The belief in and worship of a single God. Characteristic of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as opposed to polytheism or pantheism.
Mujaddid
An Islamic religious reformer or renewer believed to appear at the beginning of each Islamic century to revive and purify Islamic faith.
Murti
A sacred idol or physical form of a deity in Hindu worship. The embodied manifestation of divine power in material form.
Mysticism
The pursuit of direct, experiential knowledge of the divine through contemplation, meditation, and spiritual practice. Seeks union with God or ultimate reality.
N
Nirvana
The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice—the state of complete liberation from suffering, the cycle of rebirth, and the illusion of self.
O
Orthodoxy
The established, officially accepted doctrine and beliefs of a religious tradition. What is considered correct and true by religious authorities.
Orthopraxy
Right action or correct practice, as opposed to orthodoxy (right belief). Emphasis on proper conduct and ritual over doctrinal correctness.
P
Parousia
The second coming of Jesus Christ, believed by Christians to occur at the end of time. Often associated with the final judgment and resurrection.
Penal Substitution
The atonement theory that Christ's death was a substitutionary sacrifice to satisfy God's justice, bearing the penalty of human sin on behalf of humanity.
Pneumatology
The theological study of the Holy Spirit, including its nature, roles, and manifestations. Important in Christian trinitarian theology.
Polytheism
The belief in and worship of multiple gods or deities, each with specific roles and domains. Characteristic of Hinduism, Shinto, and ancient religions.
Prajna
Transcendent wisdom or insight in Buddhism. Understanding the nature of reality, non-self, and the path to enlightenment.
Prasad
Blessed food or offering that has been presented to a deity in Hindu worship and then distributed to devotees as divine grace.
Prayer
Communication with the divine, ranging from requests and intercession to praise, thanksgiving, and contemplation. Central to all religious traditions.
Puja
Ritual worship or prayer in Hinduism, involving offerings, incense, and devotional acts directed toward a deity or sacred object.
Purgatory
In Catholic theology, an intermediate state after death where souls are purified before entering heaven. Not explicitly in scripture but developed in tradition.
R
Revelation
God's disclosure of divine truth to humanity, either through scripture, prophets, direct experience, or inner spiritual insight.
S
Sacrament
In Christian tradition, a sacred rite or ceremony believed to convey God's grace, such as Baptism or Eucharist. More broadly, any sacred or solemn religious rite.
Sakti
Divine power, energy, or creative force in Hinduism, often personified as the feminine divine or the goddess consort of a god.
Salvation
Deliverance from sin and its consequences, leading to spiritual wholeness or eternal life. The ultimate goal of redemptive religions.
Samadhi
Meditative absorption or concentration in Buddhism. A state of mental stability and unification central to the path to enlightenment.
Samsara
The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, driven by karma. Characterized by suffering and impermanence.
Sangha
The Buddhist community of monks, nuns, and laypeople practicing dharma together. One of the Three Jewels of Buddhism.
Schism
A division within a religious community, splitting the faith into two or more separate branches. Major schisms include the East-West schism (1054) in Christianity.
Sefirot
In Kabbalah, the ten divine emanations or attributes through which God manifests in creation. Each represents an aspect of divine energy and understanding.
Shirk
The sin of associating partners with God or worshipping anything besides Allah. Considered the greatest sin in Islam, the antithesis of Tawhid.
Sila
Ethical conduct and moral discipline in Buddhism. Forms one of the three components of the Noble Eightfold Path.
Soteriology
The theological study of salvation and how humans are saved. Examines theories of atonement, grace, and redemption.
Sunnah
The example and way of life of Prophet Muhammad as reported in hadith and practiced by Muslim communities. A source of Islamic law.
Sunyata
The concept of emptiness or non-self in Buddhism. All phenomena lack inherent, independent existence, which is central to Buddhist philosophy.
Svadharma
One's own dharma or duty according to caste, social position, and life stage in Hindu ethics. Fulfilling one's proper role in society.
Syncretism
The blending or combining of different religious traditions, beliefs, or practices. Often results in hybrid forms of spirituality.
T
Tafsir
Scholarly interpretation and exegesis of the Quran. Represents centuries of Islamic scholarship on understanding divine revelation.
Talmud
The central text of Rabbinic Judaism, containing the Mishnah and Gemara. Represents the collected discussions, interpretations, and commentaries of Jewish sages.
Tanakh
The Hebrew Bible consisting of Torah (Five Books), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). The authoritative Jewish scripture.
Taqwa
God-consciousness and piety in Islam, representing reverent awareness of Allah and commitment to moral and spiritual excellence.
Tawbah
Repentance and sincere return to God in Islamic tradition. Involves remorse, confession, and firm commitment to cease sinning.
Teshuvah
Repentance and return to God in Jewish tradition, involving sincere remorse, confession, and commitment to change. Central to Jewish spiritual practice.
Theodicy
The theological attempt to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God.
Theophany
A manifestation or appearance of God or the divine to a person or community. Often described as a visible or tangible encounter with the sacred.
Theosis
The theological doctrine that humanity can achieve union with God or become divine through grace and spiritual transformation. A central concept in Eastern Orthodox theology.
Theosophy
Mystical philosophy claiming direct spiritual knowledge of God and divine wisdom. Often incorporates Eastern and Western spiritual traditions together.
Theravada
The Way of the Elders school of Buddhism focusing on individual enlightenment and adherence to early Buddhist texts. Prevalent in Southeast Asia.
Tikkun Olam
In modern Judaism, the commitment to social justice and repairing the world through righteous action and communal service.
Torah
The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), or more broadly, all Jewish teachings and law.
Tzaddik
A righteous person in Jewish tradition, especially a spiritual leader or rabbi who serves as an intermediary between God and the community in Hasidic Judaism.
U
Ummah
The global community of Muslim believers united by faith in Islam, transcending national and ethnic boundaries.
Upekkha
Equanimity or non-attachment in Buddhist practice. One of the Four Immeasurables, representing balanced awareness and peace.
V
Vajrayana
The Diamond Vehicle school of Buddhism using tantric practices, visualization, and ritual to achieve rapid enlightenment. Associated with Tibetan Buddhism.
W
Wali
A friend of God or righteous saint in Islamic tradition, believed to possess spiritual power and divine closeness. Also means guardian or protector.
Y
Yantra
A geometric diagram used in Hindu and Buddhist practice as a meditation tool representing divine cosmic energy.