Basic beliefs (6)
I believe the answer is:
tenets
'basic beliefs' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for tenets that I've seen before include "Doctrines or dogmas" , "Articles of belief" , "Principles of belief" , "Doctrines held to be true" , "Firm beliefs or doctrines" .)