Terminology - Buddhism Page 1

anatta

No fixed self, no soul; the Universal Truth that the soul is insubstantial; that people change in the course of their lives; denial of a real or permanent self.

anicca

Impermanence, instability, not permanent.

Arhat

A perfected person. In Theravada Buddhism this is the term for a person who has attained nibbana

ascetic

A life free from worldly pleasures (especially sexual activity and consumption of alcohol), often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals.

Bodhisattva

A concept in Mahayana Buddhism. A being destined for enlightenment, who postpones final attainment of Buddhahood in order to help living beings.

Buddah

1. Historically the Buddah - the enlightened one.

2. An awakened or enlightened person.

Buddhahood

Enlightenment

Buddha-nature

In Mahayana Buddhism, this refers to the fundamental nature of a beings, which means that all beings can attain Buddhahood

Buddha rupa

An image of a being that has achieved Buddhahood

chanting

singing or intoning

compassion

Karuna. Pity. Part of the spiritual path.

concentration

Focusing one’s attention

consciousness

The fifth of the Five Aggregates. Awareness of something without or before recognition (perception)

dependant arising

Paticcasamupada. The belief that everything in existence is because other things are. The idea that everything is interconnected and that everyone affects everyone else.

devotional ritual

Puja. A ceremony that involves meditation, prayer and offerings

dhamma

Universal law; ultimate truth, the teachings of the Buddha. Spelt in Sanskrit as dharma

Dhammapada

A sacred text of the Pali tradition with 426 verses

dharma (in brackets)

The Sanskrit form of dhamma. Universal law, ultimate truth; the teachings of Buddah