Ārya (आर्य) is an ancient Sanskrit wor used by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. It's also used by Zoroastrians (Old Persian "Ariya" and Avestan "Airya"). The term has a variety of positive meanings, usually in spiritual contexts. It is not to be confused with the derived English adjective "Aryan", which in its socio-linguistic meaning refers to Indo-Iranians regardless of religion or spirituality.