RELS Exam

Ahimsa

Non-violence toward all living beings; foundational ethical principle in Buddhism emphasizing compassion and avoidance of harm

Alms (Almsgiving, Alms rounds)

The practice where laypeople give food and goods to monks/nuns; creates merit and supports the monastic community

Anatman (Anatman Doctrine)

The teaching of "no-self"; belief that there is no permanent, unchanging soul

Arhat

A person who has achieved enlightenment and escaped samsara in Theravada Buddhism

Asceticism

Practicing severe self-discipline and renunciation of worldly pleasures

Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni

Fully ordained Buddhist monks (bhikkhu) and nuns (bhikkhuni)

Bodhi Tree

The tree under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment

Bodhisattva

A being who delays nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment (central in Mahayana Buddhism)

Bon

Pre-Buddhist Tibetan religious tradition that influenced Tibetan Buddhism

Buddha

"Awakened one"; a person who has achieved enlightenment

Buddhism

A religion/philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama focused on ending suffering

Dependent Arising (Pratitya-samutpada)

The idea that all things arise due to causes and conditions; nothing exists independently

Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha; also the universal truth or law

Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Dharma)

Symbol representing the teachings of Buddhism and the path to enlightenment

Duhkha/Dukkha

Suffering, dissatisfaction, or unease; a fundamental concept in Buddhism

Emptiness (Shunyata)

The idea that all things lack inherent existence; central in Mahayana Buddhism

Five Precepts

Basic ethical guidelines: no killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, or intoxication

Four Noble Truths

1. Life is suffering 2. Cause is craving 3. End of suffering is possible 4. Path leads to its end

Four (Great) Sights

Old age, sickness, death, and a renunciant; inspired Siddhartha to seek enlightenment

Great Renunciation

Siddhartha leaving his royal life to pursue spiritual awakening

Impermanence (Anitya)

Everything is constantly changing; nothing lasts forever

Karma

The law of cause and effect; actions influence future rebirths

Lama

A spiritual teacher in Tibetan Buddhism

Lay community (laity)

Non-monastic followers who support monks and practice Buddhism in daily life

Life Story of the Historical Buddha

The narrative of Siddhartha Gautama's life from birth to enlightenment to teaching

Mahayana

A major branch emphasizing bodhisattvas and universal salvation

Mandala

A symbolic diagram representing the universe used in meditation

Mantra

Sacred sounds or phrases repeated for spiritual focus

Meditation

A core practice for developing mindfulness, concentration, and insight

Merit

Spiritual benefit gained from good actions

Middle Way

A path between extreme indulgence and extreme asceticism

Mindfulness

Awareness of the present moment without attachment or judgment

Monastic community (monks and nuns)

Individuals who renounce worldly life to follow Buddhist teachings fully

Mudra

Symbolic hand gestures used in Buddhist art and practice

Nirvana

The ultimate goal; liberation from suffering and samsara

Noble Eightfold Path

Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration

Parinirvana

The final nirvana after death of an enlightened being

Pure Land

A heavenly realm in Mahayana Buddhism associated with Amitabha Buddha

Rebirth and Realms of Existence

Cycle of rebirth across different realms (human, animal, hell, etc.)

Renouncer (Shramana)

A person who leaves society to pursue spiritual liberation

Samadhi

Deep meditative concentration or absorption

Samsara

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

Sangha

The Buddhist community (monks, nuns, and sometimes laypeople)

Siddha

Accomplished spiritual master

Siddhi

Supernatural powers gained through practice

Stupa (Pagoda)

A structure containing relics; used for meditation and pilgrimage

Tantra (Tantric)

Esoteric practices aimed at rapid enlightenment (common in Vajrayana)

Theravada

Teaching of the Elders; focuses on individual enlightenment and arhats

Three Jewels/Refuges

Buddha, Dharma, Sangha; core elements Buddhists take refuge in

Three Marks of Existence

Impermanence, suffering, and non-self

Trishna

Craving or desire; root cause of suffering

Tulku

A reincarnated lama in Tibetan Buddhism

Upaya (Skillful Means)

Adapting teachings to help others reach enlightenment

Vajrayana

Tibetan Buddhism; emphasizes rituals, tantra, and esoteric practices

Vesak

Buddhist festival celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death

Wheel of Life

A visual representation of samsara and rebirth cycles

Zen (Chan/Seon/Dhyana)

A school emphasizing meditation and direct experience

Abhidharma

Systematic philosophical analysis of Buddhist teachings

Dhammapada

A collection of sayings of the Buddha

Heart Sutra

A key Mahayana text on emptiness

Kanjur and Tanjur

Tibetan Buddhist canon (teachings and commentaries)

Lotus Sutra

Mahayana text emphasizing universal Buddhahood

Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita) Sutras

Texts focusing on wisdom and emptiness

Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch

Text central to Zen Buddhism

Sutra

Teachings attributed to the Buddha

Tripitaka

The 'Three Baskets' of Buddhist scriptures

Vinaya

Rules and discipline for monastic life

Amitabha (Amida)

Buddha of the Pure Land

Ananda

Buddha's close disciple and attendant

Ashoka

Indian emperor who spread Buddhism

Avalokiteshvara

Bodhisattva of compassion

Bodhidharma

Founder of Zen Buddhism

Budai (Pu-tai)

The "Laughing Buddha"

Dalai Lama

Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism

Guanyin (Kuan-yin/Kannon)

East Asian form of Avalokiteshvara

Historical Buddha

The original Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)

Huineng

Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism

Kumarajiva

Famous translator of Buddhist texts into Chinese

Maitreya

Future Buddha

Manjushri

Bodhisattva of wisdom

Mara

Demon who tried to prevent Buddha's enlightenment

Padmasambhava

Founder of Tibetan Buddhism

Prajapati (Mahaprajapati)

Buddha's aunt; first ordained nun

Queen Maya

Buddha's mother

Shakyamuni

Another name for the historical Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism

Xuanzang

Chinese monk and scholar who traveled to India

Bodhgaya

Place where Buddha attained enlightenment

China

Major region for development of Mahayana Buddhism

India

Birthplace of Buddhism

Japan

Center for Zen and Pure Land traditions

Korea

Important in spread of Buddhism to East Asia

Kushinagara

Place where Buddha died (Parinirvana)

Lumbini

Buddha's birthplace

Myanmar (Burma)

Theravada Buddhist country

Nalanda University

Ancient Buddhist learning center

Nepal

Region of Buddha's early life

Potala (Lhasa)

Residence of the Dalai Lama

Sarnath

Location of Buddha's first sermon

Sri Lanka

Key center of Theravada Buddhism