| A | B |
|---|
| mantra | word or sound repeated to enhance concentration in mediation |
| guru | spiritual leader |
| reincarnation | rebirth |
| Torah | Jewish holy book |
| diaspora | scattering, movement from original homeland |
| Yahweh | Hebrew form of the name for God |
| varna | Indian caste system |
| karma | consequences of past deeds |
| ennead | nine |
| caste system | hereditary social class system |
| henotheism | belief that accepts the existence of many gods but worship one deity as the supreme god |
| myth | traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon |
| Gilgamesh | king of Sumeria who went looking for eternal life, realized it wasn't possible |
| Abraham | father of Judaism |
| Moses | delivered the Hebrew people from slavery, brought down the 10 Commandments |
| Zarathustra | also known as Zoroaster, created the religion of Persia |
| martyr | person killed for their religious or other beliefs |
| apostle | pupil |
| pope | father or head of the Christian Church |
| Pax Romana | Roman peace |
| parables | stories with morals |
| Messiah | promised deliverer |
| idolatry | worship of idols |
| pligrimmage | journey made to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion |
| Allah | Islamic name for God |
| Constantine | ended religious persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire |
| Muhammad | Islamic prophet |
| Pontius Pilot | Roman governor whom sentenced Jesus to death |
| Five Pillars | faith, prayer, alms, fasting, pilgrimmage |
