Asian Religions Glossary: Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, figures, texts, and practices across Buddhist, Sikh, Confucian, Daoist, and Shinto traditions.

anatman

The Buddha's doctrine of 'no-self,' stating that there is no independent and eternal self or soul underlying personal existence.

arhat

In Theravada Buddhism, 'one who is worthy' who has attained nirvana and is not subject to rebirth.

bodhisattva

A Sanskrit term meaning 'one who aspires to awakening.'

Buddha

A Sanskrit term meaning an 'awakened one' or 'enlightened one.'

buddha nature

In Mahayana teaching, the awakened awareness of the Buddha, which represents the true nature of the Buddha and the true nature of all reality.

Dharma

In Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha.

dukkha

Usually translated as 'suffering,' it can also be understood as anxiety, unease, or dissatisfaction caused by ignorance, attachment, and aversion that lead to unwholesome desire.

emptiness (shunyata)

A Mahayana doctrine asserting that all things are empty of any inherent existence.

Four Noble Truths

The four truths forming the basis of the Buddhist Dharma: suffering is inherent in human life, suffering is caused by desire, there can be an end to desire, and the way to end desire is the Noble Eightfold Path.

interdependent origination

The Buddha's teaching that reality is a complex of interdependent phenomena in which the origin or coming-into-existence of all things depends on all other things.

karma

Understood as 'intentional action' and its consequences, reflecting Buddhism's emphasis on the intentions preceding actions.

lama

In Tibetan Buddhism, an authoritative teacher (Tibetan for 'guru' or 'teacher').

Mahayana Buddhism

The 'Great Vehicle' form of Buddhism, prominent in China, Tibet, Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

mandala

A geometric figure, usually a circle, that uses elaborate symbolism to represent buddhahood.

mantra

A word or sound thought to have spiritual power ('sacred utterance').

Middle Way

In the teaching of the Buddha, the path to awakening that lies between the extremes of asceticism and self-indulgence.

Nichiren Buddhism

A form of Mahayana Buddhism with origins in Japan.

nirvana

The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, defined as the extinguishing of unwholesome desire and suffering.

Noble Eightfold Path

The Buddha's prescription for a way of life leading to awakening, consisting of the practice of eight ideals.

Pali Canon (Tipitaka)

The Theravada canon of Buddhist texts consisting of three 'baskets' of sutras.

parinirvana

The full entry into nirvana at the death of one who has attained nirvana, bringing release from samsara and rebirth.

Pure Land Buddhism

A form of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing devotion to Amitabha Buddha.

samsara

The continuing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, as well as the this-worldly realm in which the cycle recurs.

sangha

The community of Buddhist monks and nuns, which can also denote individual communities of Buddhists or the worldwide community of Buddhists.

skandhas

Transitory phenomena ('bundles' or 'heaps': material form, feelings, perceptions, mental constructions, and awareness) that give rise to a sense of self in Buddhism.

skillful means

The Mahayana doctrine that in teaching or demonstrating the Dharma one should adapt one's words and actions to the needs of one's audience.

stupas

Reliquary mounds or other structures in which the relics of the Buddha are preserved and venerated.

sutra

A Buddhist text, especially one setting forth a discourse or sermon of the Buddha.

Theravada Buddhism

The form of Buddhism most prominent in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), and Laos.

Three Refuges (Three Jewels)

The core Buddhist identification in which practitioners take refuge or place trust in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Tiantai Buddhism

A form of Mahayana Buddhism originating in China, known as Tendai in Japan.

trikaya

The Mahayana doctrine of the three 'bodies' or modes of existence of the Buddha.

Vajrayana Buddhism

The form of Mahayana Buddhism ('Thunderbolt Vehicle' or 'Diamond Vehicle') most prominent in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia.

Zen Buddhism (Chan Buddhism)

A Mahayana school emphasizing meditation over doctrine, known as Chan in Chinese and Zen in Japanese.

Adi Granth

Sikhism's most important sacred text (traditionally known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and its primary earthly authority since the death of Guru Gobind Singh in 1708.

amrit

A special drink made from water and sugar crystals ('immortalizing fluid') used in the Khalsa initiation ceremony.

gurdwara

A building for Sikh worship that houses a copy of the Adi Granth; the central structure of any Sikh community.

Guru (capitalized)

In Sikhism, refers specifically to the ten historical leaders of Sikhism, the sacred text (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, or Adi Granth), and God (often as True Guru).

haumai

The human inclination toward self-centeredness rather than God-centeredness, increasing the distance between the individual and God.

hukam

The divine order of the universe in Sikh belief.

Khalsa

An order within Sikhism ('pure ones') to which the majority of Sikhs belong, founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

langar

A gurdwara's community kitchen used to prepare meals for anyone who visits, regardless of religious or caste identity.

mukti

Spiritual liberation bringing about the eternal and infinitely blissful state of being in the presence of God; sometimes called moksha.

Mul Mantra

The summary of Sikh doctrine comprising the opening lines of the Japji, Guru Nanak's composition that forms the opening section of the Adi Granth.

Panth

The Sikh community (capitalized); in lowercase, a term applied to various Indian religious traditions.

Rahit

A collection of scripture specifying ideals of belief and conduct for members of the Khalsa and for Sikhism generally.

ren

Human-heartedness, benevolence; the unique moral inclination of humans in Confucianism.

ru

Scribes and ritual performers of the Zhou period; later used exclusively to denote followers and practitioners of Confucius's teachings.

Shangdi

The August Lord on High of the Shang period.

shen

Gods and deities; benevolent spirits in Chinese religious tradition.

shengren (sheng)

The Confucian sage, regarded as the epitome of humanity.

shi

Men of service; lower-ranking civil and military officials in the Zhou period.

Tian

The Ultimate Absolute in Confucian teaching (conscious Will regulating the cosmos and intervening in human affairs) and nature itself in Daoist usage; conventionally translated as 'Heaven.'

Tianming

The mandate or command of Tian conferring political legitimacy to the ruler; also understood by Confucians as the moral calling to self-improvement and world transformation.

Tianshi

'Celestial Master'; refers to a Daoist salvational figure as well as an organized movement.

waidan

Daoist 'external' alchemical regimens involving the refining and ingestion of mineral and herbal 'pills' to achieve immortality.

wuwei

The Daoist notion of action without intention; actionless action.

xian

Daoist immortals and perfected individuals.

xiao

Filial piety; respect and care for parents and ancestors.

xinzhai

'Fasting of the Mind,' a practice described in the Zhuangzi.

yang

Literally the south-facing side of a mountain, representing energy that is bright, warm, dry, and masculine.

yangsheng

Daoist techniques of nourishing life and attaining immortality.

yin

Literally the north-facing side of a mountain, representing energy that is dark, cold, wet, and feminine.

zhai

Daoist 'fasts' designed to seek redemption of transgressions from the gods.

ziran

The Daoist notion of natural spontaneity.

zuowang

The practice of 'sitting and forgetting' found in the Zhuangzi.

Amaterasu

The sun goddess in Shinto enshrined at Ise, kami of the imperial family, the most august of all deities, whose descendants are considered the only rightful rulers of Japan.

ema

Wooden tablets expressing pleadings to kami for success in life.

harae

Shinto purification.

Izanagi

The male kami who is the procreator of the Japanese islands as well as many other kami.

Izanami

The female kami who is the procreator of the Japanese islands as well as some of the kami.

jinja

A Shinto shrine.

kami

Shinto deity and spirit possessing awe-inspiring power.

Kojiki

The 'Record of Ancient Matters,' compiled in the eighth century CE.

matsuri

A Shinto religious festival.

miko

Unmarried female Shinto shrine attendants.

mikoshi

A portable shrine temporarily housing a Shinto deity.

misogi

A Shinto ritual of purification with water.

Nihon shoki

Chronicles of [the Land Where] the Sun Originates, an eighth-century CE text.

norito

Invocational prayer offered by Shinto priests to the kami.

omikuji

Paper fortunes found at Shinto shrines.

shimenawa

A huge rope hung in front of the worship hall to mark sacred spaces and objects at a Shinto shrine.

shintai

The 'body' of a kami housed in a public shrine, or temporarily in a mikoshi.

Shinto

'The way of the gods'; traditional Japanese religion acknowledging the power of the kami.

temizuya

Purification fountain at a Shinto shrine.

torii

Crossbar gateway leading up to a Shinto shrine.

dan

Literally meaning a 'pill,' understood in Chinese alchemy as the essence of immortality.

dantian

Major nodal points in the human body where the pill of immortality is refined through alchemical practice ('fields for refinement').

Dao

A foundational concept literally meaning 'path' or 'way'; in Confucianism, the ideal human order ordained by Tian, and in Daoism, the ultimate source and ground of all existence.

Daodejing

Foundational text translated as 'The Scripture of the Way and Its Potent Manifestation,' traditionally attributed to Laozi.

Daozang

The comprehensive canon containing the entire corpus of Daoist scriptures, literally meaning 'Treasury of the Dao.'

de

A fundamental concept meaning 'virtue' or 'potency'; signifies a ruler's charismatic moral power in Confucianism and the concrete manifestation of the Dao in Daoism.

fangshi

Magicians and esoteric specialists who were believed to possess secret formulas and recipes for immortality.

Five Classics

The canonical works of Confucianism established during the Han Dynasty: the Book of Odes, Book of History, Book of Changes, Record of Rites, and Spring and Autumn Annals.

Four Books

The foundational texts selected by Zhu Xi that formed the civil service exam curriculum from 1313 to 1905: Analects, Mencius, Great Learning, and Doctrine of the Mean.

gui

Ghosts, demons, and malevolent spirits in traditional Chinese religion.

jiao

Daoist communal sacrificial rituals performed to mark cosmic renewal and community cohesion.

junzi

The Confucian personality ideal of the noble person, gentleman, or moral exemplar.

li

The core Confucian concept encompassing etiquette, proper manners, social propriety, and sacred ritual rites.

neidan

Daoist 'internal' alchemy focused on achieving immortality through meditation, breath circulation, dietary regimens, gymnastics, and massage.