Buddhism/ Zen Buddhism

samsara

the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth

karma

the effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation

Siddhartha Gautama

founder of Buddhism; born a prince; left his father's wealth to find the cause of human suffering; also knows as Buddha, not the first buddha and not the last. Encountered suffering through the four passing sights

Four Passing Sights

The four things Gautama saw upon leaving the palace which made him decide to leave his princely life: 1. old age 2. sickness 3. death 4. ascetic (sannyasin)

Middle Way

A basic Buddhist teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self-denial of asceticism, focusing instead on a practical approach to spiritual attainment.

Bodhi Tree

The fig tree under which Sidartha Gautama achieved enlightenment.

Enlightenment

Sidartha Gautama gained this under the Bodhi tree, in a state of perfect tranquility and infinite wisdom, forever liberated from the sufferings of human condition

nirvana

The ultimate goal of all Buddhists, the extinction of desire and any sense of individual selfhood, resulting in liberation from samsara and its limiting conditions. Similar to moksha

anatta (no-self),

One of the Three Marks of Existence; the Buddhist doctrine denying a permanent self

anicca (impermanence)

One of the Three Marks of Existence; the Buddhist doctrine that all existent things are constantly changing.

Dukkha (suffering)

The first of the Four Noble Truths, the basic Buddhist insight that suffering is part of the human condition. Also a third mark of existence, natural result of anicca and anatta

Four Noble Truths

The central teachings of Buddhism; to live is to experience suffering; suffering is caused by desire; the cessation of suffering can be achieved; the solution is the Noble Eightfold Path.

Five Precepts

The basic moral requirements that are binding for all Buddhists. 1.do not take life 2. do not take what is not given. 3. do not engage in sensuous misconduct 4. do not use false speech 5. do not drink intoxicants

Silk Road

Helped the spread of Buddhism, enabled buddhism to become a world religion

Theravada

Prevalent form of Buddhism in Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand; focuses on the earliest texts and emphasizes monastic lifestyle.. "the way of the elders" Focuses on teachings and meditation

Mahayana

"the Great Vehicle" - The largest of Buddhism's three divisions, prevalent in China, Japan and Korea, encompasses a variety of forms, including those that emphasize devotion and prayer to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Focuses on the life of the Buddha himself. Developed Zen Buddhism

boddhisatvas

Future Buddhas; As the ideal types of Mahayana Buddhism, beings who have experienced enlightenment but, motivated by compassion, stop short of entering nirvana so as to help others achieve it

Tibetan Buddhism

"Vajrayana" predominantly practiced in Tibet. "the vehicle of the diamond" Belief that its adherents can attain nirvana in this lifetime, here and now. Emphasizes the harnessing of sensual energies to attain nirvana

Dalai Lama

The spiritual leader of Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism, believed to be an incarnation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

Satori

The Zen experience of enlightenment, a flash of insight in which the true nature of one's being is known directly

koans

a verbal puzzle designed to short-circuit the workings of the rational, logical mind, used especially in Rinzai Zen as a means of triggering satori

zazen

The basic method of Zen meditation, traditionally practiced while seated in the lotus position in the meditation hall.