buddha

Karma/Kamma: Karma (in Sanskrit) or Kamma (in Pali) refers to the law of moral causation in Buddhism. It is the principle that every action, whether physical, verbal, or mental, has consequences that affect the individual in the future. In Buddhist belief, karma does not simply refer to actions themselves but the intentions behind those actions. Good actions lead to positive outcomes, while negative actions lead to suffering. This concept is crucial for understanding how one’s actions influence their current and future lives, as it plays a pivotal role in the cycle of samsara (rebirth).

Samsara: Samsara refers to the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that all beings are subject to. It is the realm of suffering and illusion, where beings experience constant change and dissatisfaction. According to Buddhism, samsara is driven by ignorance (avidya) and desire (trsna), and liberation from it is attained through achieving Nirvana. This cyclical existence is to be transcended by following the Eightfold Path and realizing the true nature of reality.

Ascetic: An ascetic in Buddhism is someone who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from indulgence in worldly pleasures. This practice is often seen as a path to enlightenment, particularly for those who wish to control desires and attachments. However, the Buddha taught the Middle Way, advising against both extreme asceticism and indulgence. He himself practiced asceticism before realizing that a balanced approach was necessary to achieve liberation.

Avidya/Avijja: Avidya (Sanskrit) or Avijja (Pali) is the concept of ignorance or lack of understanding in Buddhism. It is considered the root cause of all suffering and the cycle of samsara. Avidya refers not only to ignorance about the Four Noble Truths but also to the misperception of the nature of the self and the world. Overcoming avidya through wisdom (prajna) is essential for reaching Nirvana.

Siddhartha: Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, was a prince born in the 5th or 6th century BCE. He is the founder of Buddhism, having attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. His journey from a life of luxury to one of asceticism and eventually to the realization of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path is central to Buddhist teachings. Siddhartha’s experience illustrates the potential for all beings to attain enlightenment.

Trsna/Tanha: Trsna (Sanskrit) or Tanha (Pali) means "thirst" or "craving" and refers to desire or attachment. It is the craving for pleasure, existence, and non-existence, which fuels the cycle of samsara. Buddhism teaches that tanha is the root cause of suffering, as it leads to attachments that prevent the realization of the impermanent nature of life. Overcoming tanha is a key part of the path to enlightenment.

Brahminism/Vedism: Brahminism (also known as Vedism) refers to the ancient religious system of the Vedas, which dominated the Indian subcontinent before Buddhism. It is centered around ritual sacrifices, the worship of gods, and a social structure defined by caste. The Buddha’s teachings, while emerging from this tradition, critiqued many aspects of Brahminism, especially its rigid social hierarchy and reliance on ritual. Buddhism offered a more direct path to liberation that did not depend on the priestly caste or sacrifices.

Sangha: The Sangha refers to the community of Buddhist monks, nuns, and lay practitioners. It is one of the Three Jewels (Triratna) in Buddhism, along with the Buddha and the Dharma. The Sangha plays a vital role in preserving the teachings of the Buddha and providing a supportive community for those seeking enlightenment. It is seen as a source of guidance, refuge, and spiritual practice.

Dharma/Dhamma: Dharma (Sanskrit) or Dhamma (Pali) refers to the teachings of the Buddha, the cosmic law, and the path to enlightenment. In Buddhism, the Dharma encompasses the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the understanding of the nature of suffering, impermanence, and non-self. Following the Dharma leads to the cessation of suffering and liberation from samsara.

Anatman/Anatta: Anatman (Sanskrit) or Anatta (Pali) refers to the doctrine of "non-self." In contrast to the Hindu belief in atman (a permanent, eternal soul), Buddhism teaches that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul. The concept of anatta emphasizes the impermanence and interdependence of all things, suggesting that what we consider the "self" is merely a collection of ever-changing physical and mental aggregates.

Anitya/Anicca: Anitya (Sanskrit) or Anicca (Pali) means impermanence. It refers to the Buddhist understanding that all things are in a constant state of flux and change. Nothing is permanent, and everything is subject to birth, decay, and dissolution. Recognizing anicca helps practitioners detach from attachments, as they understand that nothing in the material world is lasting.

Duhkha/Dukkha: Duhkha (Sanskrit) or Dukkha (Pali) is the concept of suffering or dissatisfaction. It is the first of the Four Noble Truths, acknowledging that life is marked by suffering, whether physical, emotional, or existential. Dukkha is not just pain or suffering but the inherent unsatisfactoriness of life due to impermanence and the nature of attachments.

Nirvana/Nibbana: Nirvana (Sanskrit) or Nibbana (Pali) is the ultimate goal in Buddhism—liberation from the cycle of samsara and the cessation of suffering. It is a state of perfect peace, free from craving, aversion, and ignorance. Nirvana is often described as the extinguishing of the "fires" of desire, hatred, and delusion, leading to a state of enlightenment and freedom from the cycle of rebirth.

Arahant/Arhat: An arahant (Sanskrit) or arhat (Pali) is an individual who has attained enlightenment and is free from the cycle of samsara. They have fully realized the Four Noble Truths, eradicated the defilements of the mind, and reached Nirvana. Arahants serve as models of ideal Buddhist practice, having overcome suffering and achieved spiritual liberation.

Skandha/Kandha: Skandha (Sanskrit) or Kandha (Pali) refers to the five aggregates that make up a sentient being: form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. These aggregates are not permanent, and their constant change illustrates the non-self (anatman) doctrine. Understanding skandhas helps Buddhists comprehend the nature of existence and the process of becoming.

Moksha: Moksha is the Hindu concept of liberation, similar to the Buddhist idea of Nirvana. It refers to the freedom from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and the realization of oneness with the divine. While moksha is a central goal in Hinduism, Buddhism teaches a path to liberation that is more focused on the cessation of suffering and the realization of non-self.

Pratitya-Samutpada: Pratitya-samutpada (Sanskrit) or Paticca-samuppada (Pali) is the doctrine of dependent origination. It describes how all phenomena arise due to causes and conditions, and nothing exists independently. This concept illustrates the interdependence of all things and the causal relationships that lead to suffering and liberation. It is essential for understanding the nature of samsara and the path to Nirvana.

Kisagotami: Kisagotami is a woman in early Buddhist stories who suffered the loss of her child. She sought the Buddha’s help, and he instructed her to find a mustard seed from a household that had never experienced death. Realizing that death is universal, she became enlightened. Her story exemplifies the Buddhist teachings on the inevitability of death and the need for detachment from worldly attachments.

Hagiography: A hagiography is a biography of a saint or religious figure, often idealized and exaggerated to emphasize the person's spiritual achievements and virtues. In Buddhism, hagiographies of important figures, such as the Buddha and prominent monks, are written to inspire followers and preserve teachings and historical narratives.

Mara: Mara is a demon figure in Buddhism who represents the forces of desire, death, and temptation. Mara’s primary role is to prevent beings from attaining enlightenment by distracting or deluding them. He is particularly famous for attempting to seduce the Buddha during his meditation under the Bodhi tree, trying to keep him from reaching enlightenment.