Religion Term 1 - Buddhism Glossary

Siddhartha Gautama

The Buddha, the Enlightened one

Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha, set out in the Pali Canon

The Sangha

The community of all Buddhist practitioners – the community of ordained monks and nuns

Dukkha

Life is suffering

Tanha

The cause of suffering is desire

The 3 poisons of Tanha

Greed, hatred, delusion

Way to end suffering

Follow the Eightfold path to Enlightenment

Nirvana

The cessation of all desire, suffering can end by achieving Enlightenment

Cessation

To stop

The Eightfold Path

Divided in three main sections – wisdom, right conducts (ethics), mental discipline

Four Noble Truths

Dukkha, Tanha, Nirvana/Enlightenment, which are part of the Eightfold Path

The ‘Middle Way’

A life without luxury or poverty

Samsara

The eternal cycle of birth and death

Karma

Describes the connection between actions and the result/consequence

Wisdom

Right Understanding/View and Right Intentions related to the path

Ethics

Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood as part of moral conduct

Mental Discipline

Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration related to mental practices

The Three Jewels

Buddha, the teachings (Dharma), the community (Sangha)

Pali Canon

Sacred writing of Buddhism

Anatta/Anatman

Non-existence of a personal and immortal soul, no self

Anicca

Impermanent

Benares

The place of the Buddha's enlightenment in India

Lotus Flower

Symbol of Buddhism

Karma (Deeds performed)

Actions that have moral consequences

Mahayana Buddhism

A popular form of Buddhism known as the ‘large vehicle’

Mandala

A picture or art with spiritual and ritual significance

Meditation

A variety of techniques to develop mindfulness, tranquillity, concentration, and insight

Sutra

The sayings of the Buddha

Ten Precepts

The rules of the Sangha

Tibetan Buddhism

Form of Buddhism known as Lamaism under the leadership of the Dalai Lama

Theravada Buddhism

The most ancient and strictest form of Buddhism known as the ‘small vehicle’

Tripitaka

The three baskets, three sets of discourse in Buddhism

Wheel of life

A mandala representing the Buddhist view of the universe, illustrating the cycle of life, death, rebirth, and suffering.