Untitled Flashcards Set

Buddha

Meaning 'the Enlightened One,' referring to Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who attained enlightenment and taught the path to liberation.

Anatta

The Buddhist doctrine of 'non-self,' which teaches that there is no permanent, unchanging essence within individuals.

Anicca

The concept of impermanence in Buddhism, meaning that all things are constantly changing and temporary.

Dukkha

The Buddhist term for suffering, dissatisfaction, or unease, arising due to attachment, craving, and impermanence.

Tanha

Means 'craving' or 'desire,' which is the root cause of suffering (dukkha) in Buddhist teachings.

Nirvana

The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the state of liberation, freedom from suffering, and the end of the cycle of samsara (rebirth).

Pali

An ancient Indian language in which many of the earliest Buddhist scriptures, such as the Pali Canon, were written.

Theravada

The oldest school of Buddhism, focusing on the teachings of the historical Buddha and the path of personal enlightenment, often practiced in Southeast Asia.

Mahayana

A major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes compassion, the pursuit of enlightenment for all beings, and the role of bodhisattvas.

Bodhisattvas

Enlightened beings in Mahayana Buddhism who delay their own final liberation (nirvana) to help others achieve enlightenment.

Arhats

Individuals in Theravada Buddhism who have achieved enlightenment and are free from the cycle of rebirth.

Zazen

A form of seated meditation practiced in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing mindfulness and direct experience of reality.

Zen Buddhism

Focuses on direct experience and meditation as a means to attain enlightenment, often through practices such as Zazen.