Key Concepts in Buddhism and the Buddha's Teachings

Dependent arising (paticcasamuppada)

the idea that all things arise in dependence on other conditions

The Dhamma

the Buddha's teachings

Nibbana (nirvana)

The statement of complete enlightenment, happiness and peace

Karuna

compassion

The Three watches of the Night

The three realisations the Buddha made to achieve enlightenment

The Four Sights

The four people he witnessed which led to his decision to seek the end of suffering

The three refuges

also known as the 'three jewels' are three important aspects of Buddhism

The Buddha

the founder of Buddhism

The Sangha

Buddhist community (including monks and nuns)

Kamma

a person's actions

Jataka Tales

A collection of popular stories about the life of the Buddha

The Pali Cannon

The first written versions on the Buddha's teachings, also known as the Tipitaka

What are the three watches of the night

Knowledge of past lives, understood the cycle of samsara and kamma, understood the cause of suffering and how to overcome it

What are the four sights?

an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and a holy man

what are the three refuges

Buddha, Dharma, Sangha