Buddhism - Key Words

Suffering

Feeling pain emotionally or physically.

Natural Evil

Suffering caused by nature and people have nothing to do with it.

Moral Evil

Pain caused by people.

Buddha

"The Enlightened One". The name given to Siddhartha after he achieves enlightenment.

Meditation

Stilling the mind to gain peace. A key part of the eightfold path.

Enlightenment

A state of mind where suffering has been overcome - being awakened to true reality.

Craving

A very strong desire (wanting something very much).

Dukkha

Not accepting that things change leads to suffering.

4 Noble Truths

The Buddha's teachings on how to overcome suffering and live life happily.

Eightfold Path

The way of life that Buddhists should follow in order to achieve Enlightenment.

Mustard seed Story

The story of Kistagatomi where she learns compassion which helps her to accept the four noble truths.

Siddhartha Gotama

The prince who became Buddha.

Mandala

A circular figure representing the universe in Buddhist symbolism.

Sangha

Worldwide community of Buddhists.