rgst

Mahayana, Pure Land, Zen, etc.

Buddhism

A major branch of Buddhism.

Theravada

A school of Mahayana Buddhism focused on Amitabha Buddha.

Pure Land

A school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation.

Chan/Zen

A key scripture in Mahayana Buddhism.

Lotus Sutra

An early form of Buddhism, often associated with Theravada.

Hinayana

A major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the bodhisattva path.

Mahayana

Chinese/Japanese terms for Pure Land.

jingtu/jodo

A school of Chinese Buddhism that emphasizes the Lotus Sutra.

Tiantai (Tendai)

The Buddha of Infinite Light in Pure Land Buddhism.

Amitabha/Amituofo/Amida

The inherent potential for enlightenment in all beings.

Buddha-nature

A Japanese Buddhist reformer known for his devotion to the Lotus Sutra.

Nichiren

The founder of the Tiantai school of Buddhism.

Zhiyi

Seated meditation in Zen Buddhism.

Zazen/zuochan

The founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan.

Dogen

Recitation of the name of Amitabha Buddha.

nianfo/nembutsu

The bodhisattva of compassion in East Asian Buddhism.

Guanyin/Kannon

The age of decline of the Dharma in Buddhism.

mofa/mappo

A prominent disciple of the Buddha.

Mahakashyapa

The bodhisattva who became Amitabha Buddha.

Dharmakara

The founder of Zen Buddhism in China.

Bodhidharma

The concept that all paths lead to enlightenment.

one vehicle (eka-yana)

The founder of the Tendai school in Japan.

Saicho

Meditative concentration in Buddhism.

dhyana

The path leading to Buddhahood.

Buddha-vehicle (Buddha-yana)

Reliance on Amitabha's grace for salvation.

other-power

Reliance on one's own efforts for enlightenment.

self-power

A story illustrating the urgency of attaining enlightenment.

Parable of the Burning House

A being who seeks enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

bodhisattva

A teaching attributed to the Buddha, emphasizing direct experience.

Flower Sermon

A key text in Zen Buddhism attributed to Huineng.

Platform Sutra

The sixth patriarch of Zen Buddhism.

Huineng

A prominent figure in Zen Buddhism known for his teachings.

Linji

A paradoxical anecdote or riddle used in Zen practice.

kōan

An important site for Buddhist art and manuscripts.

Dunhuang

The founder of the Pure Land school in Japan.

Honen

The ability to adapt teachings to suit the needs of learners.

Skillful Means (fangbian, upāya)

A philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius.

Confucianism

The quality of being kind and compassionate.

benevolence (humaneness)

The quality of conforming to established standards of behavior.

propriety

The virtue of respect for one's parents and ancestors.

filial piety

An ideal moral person in Confucianism.

junzi ("superior person")

A concept of dualism in Chinese philosophy.

yin-yang

The Chinese philosopher and teacher.

Kongfuzi/Confucius

A Confucian philosopher known for his teachings on human nature.

Mengzi/Mencius

A Confucian philosopher who emphasized the importance of education.

Xunzi

The Confucian virtue of benevolence.

ren

Filial piety in Confucianism.

xiao

Ritual propriety in Confucianism.

li

The divine right to rule in Chinese political philosophy.

mandate of heaven

Heaven or the divine in Chinese philosophy.

tian

The mandate of heaven.

tianming

Son of heaven; a term for the emperor.

tianzi

Ceremonial practices in Confucianism.

rites

An ancient Chinese divination text.

Yijing (Classic of Changes)

A period of Chinese history characterized by fragmentation.

Warring States Period

A dynasty in ancient China known for its cultural achievements.

Zhou Dynasty

A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius.

Lunyu (Analects)

A set of texts considered foundational in Confucianism.

Five Classics

The key relationships in Confucian ethics.

Five Relationships

The way or path in Daoism.

dao

The practice of seeking knowledge of the future.

divination

Ancient Chinese artifacts used for divination.

oracle bones

An early Chinese dynasty known for its bronze work.

Shang Dynasty

A historical figure known for his political reforms.

Duke of Zhou

A philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao.

Daoism

The legendary figure associated with the founding of Daoism.

Laozi

A foundational text of Daoism.

Zhuangzi

A fundamental text of Daoism attributed to Laozi.

Daodejing

Virtue or power in Daoism.

de

Vital energy or life force in Daoism.

qi (ch'i)

The principle of non-action in Daoism.

wu-wei

The philosophical aspect of Daoism focusing on the Dao.

Philosophical Daoism

The religious aspect of Daoism involving rituals and practices.

Religious Daoism

A school of thought combining Huang and Lao philosophies.

Huang-Lao

A foundational text of Daoism attributed to Zhuangzi.

Zhuangzi (text)

The text attributed to Laozi, foundational to Daoism.

Laozi (text)

The indigenous spirituality of Japan.

Shinto

The sun goddess in Shinto.

Amaterasu

The oldest surviving chronicle of Japanese history.

Kojiki

A historical text of Japan.

Nihongi

Spiritual beings or gods in Shinto.

kami

A deity in Shinto mythology.

Izanagi

A deity in Shinto mythology.

Izanami

The fire god in Shinto.

Kagutsuchi

The name of the ancient imperial family in Japan.

Yamato

A period in prehistoric Japan characterized by cord-marked pottery.

Jomon Period

A period in Japanese history known for rice cultivation.

Yayoi Period

A period in Japanese history known for its burial mounds.

Kofun Period