A Glossary of Buddhist Terms
A glossary of non-English terms commonly used by Buddhists.
Anapanasati
Anapanasati (Pali) is a meditation practice of observing or counting the breath to develop concentration and mindfulness.
Anapanasati (Pali) is a meditation practice of observing or counting the breath to develop concentration and mindfulness.
Anatman
No-self; the teaching that individual identity is ephemeral.
No-self; the teaching that individual identity is ephemeral.
Arhat
In Theravada Buddhism, an Arhat is an individual who has realized enlightenment and may enter Nirvana.
In Theravada Buddhism, an Arhat is an individual who has realized enlightenment and may enter Nirvana.
Bardo
In Tibetan Buddhism, a bardo is an in-between state. The word is often used to mean a state between death and rebirth, but it can mean other things.
In Tibetan Buddhism, a bardo is an in-between state. The word is often used to mean a state between death and rebirth, but it can mean other things.
Bhavachakra
The Bhavachakra, or Wheel of Life, is a common illustration in Tibetan Buddhism of the cycle of existence, also called the Six Realms of Existence or Rebirth.
The Bhavachakra, or Wheel of Life, is a common illustration in Tibetan Buddhism of the cycle of existence, also called the Six Realms of Existence or Rebirth.
Bodhi
The Sanskrit word bodhi means "awakened." This word roughly correlates to "enlightened" in English.
The Sanskrit word bodhi means "awakened." This word roughly correlates to "enlightened" in English.
Bodhichitta
Bodhichitta means "awakened heart-mind." It is the compassionate wish to realize enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
Bodhichitta means "awakened heart-mind." It is the compassionate wish to realize enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
Bodhisattva
In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is one who works for the enlightenment of others and who vows not to enter Nirvana until all other beings are enlightened.
In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is one who works for the enlightenment of others and who vows not to enter Nirvana until all other beings are enlightened.
Buddha
The Sanskrit word Buddha means "awakened one." Very basically, a buddha is one who has realized enlightenment and been released from the cycle of death and rebirth. However, the word is used to mean many other things.
The Sanskrit word Buddha means "awakened one." Very basically, a buddha is one who has realized enlightenment and been released from the cycle of death and rebirth. However, the word is used to mean many other things.
Chakra
Chakras are energy centers of the human body that correspond to psychological and physical properties.
Chakras are energy centers of the human body that correspond to psychological and physical properties.
Chitta
Chitta, often simply translated "heart-mind," has several meanings having to do with the mind and consciousness.
Chitta, often simply translated "heart-mind," has several meanings having to do with the mind and consciousness.
Dakini
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a dakini is the energy of nondual awareness manifested as a naked, dancing, wrathful female deity.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a dakini is the energy of nondual awareness manifested as a naked, dancing, wrathful female deity.
Dharma
In Buddhism, dharma most commonly is used to refer to the teachings of the Buddha. But the word has a great many other significant meanings.
In Buddhism, dharma most commonly is used to refer to the teachings of the Buddha. But the word has a great many other significant meanings.
Dukkha
The Pali word "dukkha" most often is translated into English as "suffering." But its meaning to Buddhism is much broader than that.
The Pali word "dukkha" most often is translated into English as "suffering." But its meaning to Buddhism is much broader than that.
Karma
Karma means "intentional action" and refers to the universal law of cause and effect.
Karma means "intentional action" and refers to the universal law of cause and effect.
Koan
In Zen Buddhism, koans are small presentations of the nature of ultimate reality, usually in the form of a paradox.
In Zen Buddhism, koans are small presentations of the nature of ultimate reality, usually in the form of a paradox.
Madhyamika
Madhyamika was an early school of Mahayana Buddhism that focused on shunyata, or emptiness. It was founded by the Indian scholar and philosopher Nagarjuna. Madhyamika remains influential in Ch'an and Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, among other schools.
Madhyamika was an early school of Mahayana Buddhism that focused on shunyata, or emptiness. It was founded by the Indian scholar and philosopher Nagarjuna. Madhyamika remains influential in Ch'an and Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, among other schools.
Metta
Metta -- loving kindness -- is one of the Four Perfect Virtues cultivated by Buddhist practice.
Metta -- loving kindness -- is one of the Four Perfect Virtues cultivated by Buddhist practice.
Nirvana
The word Nirvana means "to extinguish," such as extinguishing the flame of a candle. However, this "extinguishment" is not understood by Buddhists to mean annihilation.
The word Nirvana means "to extinguish," such as extinguishing the flame of a candle. However, this "extinguishment" is not understood by Buddhists to mean annihilation.
Samsara
The Sanskrit word samsara means "journeying." Samsara is often explained as the cycle of death and rebirth created by karma.
The Sanskrit word samsara means "journeying." Samsara is often explained as the cycle of death and rebirth created by karma.
Sangha
The sangha is the community of Buddhists.
The sangha is the community of Buddhists.
Sesshin
In Zen Buddhism, a sesshin is an intensive meditation retreat.
In Zen Buddhism, a sesshin is an intensive meditation retreat.
Shunyata
According to the Mahayana Buddhist teaching of shunyata -- emptiness or void -- all beings and phenomena are empty of independent, permanent essence.
According to the Mahayana Buddhist teaching of shunyata -- emptiness or void -- all beings and phenomena are empty of independent, permanent essence.
Skandha
In Buddhism, the Five Skandhas are aggregates of mental and physical characteristics that come together to create an individual. Personality and ego are creations of the skandhas.
In Buddhism, the Five Skandhas are aggregates of mental and physical characteristics that come together to create an individual. Personality and ego are creations of the skandhas.
Sutra
The name sutra in Buddhism originally was given only to the sermons of the historical Buddha. Some later works are also considered to be sutras by the Mahayana school, however.
The name sutra in Buddhism originally was given only to the sermons of the historical Buddha. Some later works are also considered to be sutras by the Mahayana school, however.
Trikaya
The Mahayana doctrine of the Trikaya says that each Buddha has three bodies, which are the dharmakaya, the sambogakaya and the nirmanakaya. Very simply, dharmakaya is the body of absolute truth, sambogakaya is the body that experiences the bliss of enlightenment, and nirmanakaya is the body that manifests in the world.
The Mahayana doctrine of the Trikaya says that each Buddha has three bodies, which are the dharmakaya, the sambogakaya and the nirmanakaya. Very simply, dharmakaya is the body of absolute truth, sambogakaya is the body that experiences the bliss of enlightenment, and nirmanakaya is the body that manifests in the world.
Tripitaka
The Tripitaka (Sanskrit, "three baskets") is the earliest canon of Buddhist scripture. It is also called the "Pali Canon."
The Tripitaka (Sanskrit, "three baskets") is the earliest canon of Buddhist scripture. It is also called the "Pali Canon."
Zendo
A zendo is the main meditation hall in a Zen monastery or temple.
A zendo is the main meditation hall in a Zen monastery or temple.
A Glossary of Buddhist Terms
A glossary from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
A glossary from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Buddhism Glossary
A Buddhism glossary from the religion department of the University of Wyoming.
A Buddhism glossary from the religion department of the University of Wyoming.