GLOSSARY 341
Dao (D) The path or way that
an individual aims to follow; the
underlying way or pattern governing
the working of nature.
Darshan (H) The worshipping of a
deity by means of viewing an image
of the god or goddess.
Dhamma (B) A variant of dharma,
most commonly used in Buddhism.
Dharma (H) The underlying path or
pattern that characterizes the cosmos
and the earth; it also refers to the
moral path that a person must follow.
Dukkha (B) Suffering or
dissatisfaction; the idea that all
life is suffering, the first of the Four
Noble Truths defined by Buddha.
Eightfold Path (B) The path of
disciplined living that Buddhists
follow in the hope of breaking free
from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Followers aim to achieve correct
understanding, intention (or thought),
speech, conduct, occupation, effort,
mindfulness, and concentration.
Enlightenment (B) Discovery of the
ultimate truth, and the end of dukkha.
Eucharist (C) One of the main
sacraments, involving the taking
of wine and bread as the blood and
body of Christ; it is known as Mass in
Catholicism, Holy Communion in the
Anglican Church, and the liturgy in
the various Orthodox churches.
Fatwa (I) A nonbinding judgment
on a point of Islamic law given by a
recognized religious authority.
Four Noble Truths (B) A central
teaching of Buddhism, explaining
the nature of dukkha, its causes,
and how it can be overcome.
Fravashi (Z) A guardian angel who
protects the souls of individuals as
they struggle against evil.
Gathas (Z) The most sacred texts
of Zoroastrianism, supposedly
composed by Zoroaster himself.Gentile (J) A non-Jew.Gospels (C) The four books of
the New Testament of the Bible,
attributed to the apostles Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John, which tell of
Jesus’s life and teachings; Gospel
(good news) can also refer to the
content of Christian teaching.Granthi (S) An official who takes
care of the Guru Granth Sahib and
the gurdwara. A granthi is also a
skilled reader of the sacred book.Gurdwara (S) A Sikh temple; the
place where the Guru Granth
Sahib is housed.Guru (H) Teacher; (S) One of the
10 founder-leaders of Sikhism.Guru Granth Sahib (S) The Sikh
sacred book, also known as the
Adi Granth.Hadith (I) Traditional accounts of the
deeds and teachings of the Prophet
Muhammad; the second source of
Islamic law and moral guidance after
the Qur’an.Hafiz (I) A term of respect for a
person who has memorized the
Qur’an.Haggadah (J) The body of teaching
of the early rabbis, containing
legends, historical narratives, and
ethical precepts.Hajj (I) The pilgrimage to Mecca, the
fourth of the five pillars of Islam; all
Muslims hope to make this journey
once in their lives.Halal (I) Conduct that is permitted;
specifically, the correct method of
slaughtering livestock, and the meat
from correctly slaughtered animals.Haram (I) Conduct that is forbidden;
something sacred or inviolate.Hasid (J) A member of a Jewish
group founded in the 18th century
that places a strong emphasis
on mysticism.Haskalah (J) The Jewish
Enlightenment, a movement
among European Jews in the
18th–19th centuries.Hebrew Bible (J) A collection of
sacred writings that form the basis
of Judaism, including the Torah,
revelations of prophets, and other
sacred texts; the equivalent of the Old
Testament in the Christian Bible.Icon (C) A sacred image, usually
depicting Christ or one of the saints,
which is used as a focus for devotion,
especially in the Orthodox Churches.Imam (I) Leader of prayers in a
mosque; or, one of the great leaders of
the Muslim community in the Shi‘a
branch of the faith.Incarnation (C) The belief that in
the person of Jesus Christ, divine and
human natures were made one.Jihad (I) A religious duty to struggle
against evil in the name of God,
whether spiritually or physically.Jina (Jn) A spiritual teacher.
See tirthankara.Kaaba (I) One of Islam’s most sacred
buildings, sited in Mecca inside the
Masjid al-Haram mosque; a principal
destination for those on hajj.Kabbalah (J) An ancient Jewish
mystical tradition based on an
esoteric interpretation of the
Hebrew Bible.Kaccha (S) Long shorts worn under
other garments by Sikhs; one of the
distinguishing “five Ks” of Sikhism.