Buddhist terms and concepts

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Buddhism

Terms and concepts

Several Buddhist terms and concepts lack direct translations into English that cover the breadth of the original term. Below are given a number of important Buddhist terms, short definitions, and the languages in which they appear. In this list, an attempt has been made to organize terms by their original form and give translations and synonyms in other languages below the definition.

Languages and traditions dealt with here:

English (Eng.),
Pāli: (Theravada Buddhism),
Sanskrit (or Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit): primarily Mahāyāna Buddhism
Chinese (Cn.): all forms of Chinese Buddhism,
Korean (Ko.): Korean Buddhism
Japanese (Jp.): Zen and other forms of Japanese Buddhism
Thai: Theravada Buddhism
Tibetan (Tib.): Tibetan Buddhism

Contents: Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

ācārya

"teacher"
Sanskrit; Pāli; Thai: Ajahn; 阿闍梨,　阿闍梨耶; Cn: ???; Jp. ajari, ajariya

addiction

See tanha

alayavijnana

See Store consciousness.
Tibetan: kun gzhi rnam shes; 阿賴耶識 Cn: ???; Jp: araya-shiki

anāgarika

A white-robed student in the Theravada tradition, who for a few months, awaits being considered for Samaneras ordination
Pāli

ānāpānasati

Mindfulness of the breath meditation
Pāli

anicca

Impermanence
Pāli; Sanskrit: anitya

anatta

Doctrine of the nonexistence of the soul
Pāli; Sanskrit: anātman; 無我 Cn: wúwǒ; Jp: muga

arhat

Literally it means the "Worthy One".

A living person who has reached Enlightenment
Pāli: arahat, arahant; Sanskrit: arhat, arhant; 阿羅漢 Cn: ???; Jp: arakan

B

bhikkhu/bhikshu

A monk
Pāli; Sanskrit: bhikṣu; 比丘 Jp: biku
Derivates: bhikkhuni/bhikṣuni; 比丘尼 Jp: bikuni: a Buddhist nun

bodhi

Awakening or Enlightenment
Sanskrit; Pāli; 菩提 Cn: pútí; Jp: bodai

bodhi tree

The Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa) tree under which Gautama reached Enlightenment.
菩提樹 Cn: pútíshù, Jp: bodaiju

bodhisattva

A person with the intention to become a Buddha in order to liberate all other sentient beings from suffering.
Sanskrit (Pali: bodhisatta); 菩薩 Cn: púsā; Jp: bosatsu

Buddha

A Buddha. Also, the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama
From √budh, to awaken
Sanskrit; Pāli; Cn: 佛 fó Jp: 仏 butsu, hotoke

buddha nature

The ability shared by sentient beings to achieve Enlightenment; the innate (latent) Buddha nature (esp. in Tendai/Tiantai, Nichiren thought).
Cn: 佛性 fóxìng; Jp: 仏性 busshō

D

dependent origination

See pratitya-samutpada
因縁 Jp: Innen

dukkha

Suffering, dissatisfaction, stress
Pāli; Sanskrit: duḥkha

dharma

A difficult term to define. Often refers to the doctrines and teachings of the faith, but it may have broader uses. Also, it is an important technical term meaning something like “phenomenological constituent.” This leads to the potential for confusion, puns, and double entendres, as the latter meaning often has negative connotations.
Sanskrit; Pāli;: dhamma
法 Cn: fă; Jp: hō

dhammavinaya

The dharma and vinaya (roughly "doctrine and discipline") considered together. This term essentially means the whole teachings of Buddhism as taught to monks.

dhyana (see jhāna)

doan

In Zen, a term for person sounding the bell that marks the beginning and end of Zazen
Japanese

dokusan

A private interview between a Zen student and his master. It is an important element in the Zen training, as it provides an opportunity for the student to discuss problems in his practice and to demonstrate his understanding.
Japanese

E

Early Buddhist Schools

The schools of Buddhism which arose in India after the time of the historical Buddha but before the time of the Mahāyāna, and which the Mahāyāna later criticized. These are sometimes identified as "Hīnayāna" by later schools. Also called śravakayāna. The Theravada is the only surviving of what are usually numbered the eighteen early schools (though it's not always clear which precise sects are meant).
小乘佛敎, 小乗仏教 Cn: ????; Jp: shōjōbukkyō

F

Five five-hundred year periods

五箇五百歳 Jp: 五箇の五百歳 go no gohyaku sai
Five sub-divisions of the three periods following the Buddha's passing (三時 Jp: sanji), significant for many Mahayana adherents:

Age of enlightenment (解脱堅固 Jp: gedatsu kengo)
Age of meditation (禅定堅固 Jp: zenjō kengo)
These two ages comprise the Former Day of the Law (正法 Jp: shōbō)
Age of reading, reciting, and listening (読誦多聞堅固 Jp: dokuju tamon kengo)
Age of Age of buidling temples and stupas (多造塔寺堅固 Jp: tazō tōji kengo)
These two ages comprise the Middle Day of the Law (像法 Jp: zōhō)
Age of conflict (闘諍堅固 Jp: tōjō kengo), an age characterized by unrest, strife, famine, and other, natural and human-made disasters.
This age corresponds to the beginning of the Latter Day of the Law (末法 Jp: Mappō) when the (historical) Buddha's teachings would loose all power of salvation and perish (白法隠没 Jp: byakuhō onmotsu) and a new Buddha would appear to save the people.

The three periods and the five five-hundred year periods are described in the Sutra of the Great Assembly, or 大集経 (Jp: Daishutu-kyō, Daijuku-kyō, Daijikkyō, or Daishukkyō).

fukudo

In Zen, term for person who strikes the Han
Japanese

G

gassho

A position used for greeting, with the palms together and fingers pointing upwards in prayer position. It is used in the Zen tradition, but also common in many cultures in the East. It expresses greeting, request, thankfulness, reverence and prayer. Also a mudra or inkei of Japanese Shingon.
Japanese: 合掌; Sanskrit: Anjali
Chinese: What is the equivalent ???

gongan

Lit. "Public case." A meditative method developed in the Chan/Seon/Zen traditions, generally consisting of a problem that defies solution by means of rational thought
Chinese; Japanese: koan (公案); Korean: gong'an

H

Han

In Zen monasteries, wooden board that is struck announcing sunrise, sunset and the end of the day
Japanese

I

ino

In Zen, one of the leaders of a sesshin
In Zen temples, the Ino is the temple official in charge of maintaining the zendo, or meditation hall
Japanese, literally translates to English as "bringer of joy to the assembly"

J

Jhana

Meditative contemplation. More often associated with śamatha practices than vipaśyana. See also: shamata, samadhi, samapatti
Pāli; Sanskrit: dhyāna

Jisha

In Zen, a senior priest's attendant
Japanese

K

Kensho

In Zen, enlightenment. Kensho has the same meaning as satori, but is customary used for an initial awakening experience.
Japanese

kinhin

Zen walking meditation
Japanese

koan

See gogan

kyosaku

In Zen, a flattened stick used to strike the shoulders during zazen, to help overcome fatigue or reach satori. (Japanese)

L

Lama

A Tibetan teacher or master. Equivalent to Sanskrit "guru".
Tibetan

Lineage

The official record of the historical descent of dharma teachings from one teacher to another.
By extension, may refer to the sect of a set of practitioners.

M

makyo

In Zen, unpleasant or distracting thoughts or illusions that occur during zazen.
Japanese

Madhyamaka

Buddhist philosophical school, founded by Nāgārjuna. Members of this school are called Mādhyamikas.
Sanskrit; Chinese: Sanlun ("Three Treatise")

Mokugyo

In Zen, a wooden drum carved from one piece, usually in the form of a fish.
Japanese: 木魚

Moksha

Liberation
Sanskrit

Mondo

In Zen, a short dialogue between teacher and student.
Japanese

Mappo

末法 Cn: ??, Ko: ??, Jp.: mappō. The "degenerate" Latter Day of the Law. A time period supposed to begin 2,000 years after Sakyamuni Buddha's passing and last for "10,000 years"; follows the two 1,000-year periods of 正法 Jp.: shōbō and 像法 Jp.: zōhō. During this degenerate age, chaos will prevail and the people will be unable to attain enlightenment through the word of Sakyamuni Buddha. See the Three periods.

middle way

The practice of avoidance of extreme views and lifestyle choices
中道 Jp: chūdō

N

namo

Pali: An exclamation showing reverance; devotion. Often placed in front of the name of an object of veneration, e.g., a Buddha's name (Namo Amitabha, Jp.: Namu Amida Butsu), Three Jewels (Namu Sambō), or a sutra (Nam-Myōhō-Renge-Kyō), and used to express devotion to it. Defined in Sino-Japanese as 帰命 kimyō: to base one's life upon, to devote (or submit) one's life to.
Sanskrit: namaḥ, namas
南無; Cn.: Nammu; Jp.: Namu, Nam

nirvana

Extinction or extinguishing; ultimate enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition.
Pāli: nibbāna, Sanskrit: nirvāna; 涅槃 Jp: nehan
Derivates: paranibbana/parinirvana - Final liberation (Pāli/Sanskrit)

O

Osho

A term used in Japan to address a monk of the Zen Buddhist tradition. Originally reserved for high ranking monks, it has since been appropriated for everyday use when addressing any male member of the Zen clergy.
Japanese

oryoki

Zen eating ceremony
Japanese

P

paramārtha

Absolute as opposed to merely conventional truth or reality. See also: saṃv{{subst:r}}ti.
Sanskrit

paramita

Lit. "reaching the other shore," usually rendered in English as "perfection." The Mahayana practices for obtaining enlightenment
Sanskrit; 波羅蜜 Jp: haramitsu

paṭicca-samuppāda

"Dependent origination," the view that no phenomenon exists (or comes about) without depending on other phenomena around it.
Pāli; Sanskrit: pratātya-samutpāda

Purisa

The practicing Buddhist community as a whole; Sangha and laity

R

rebirth

The process of continuity of life after death

Rinpoche

Tibetan for 'Precious one' Title for:

Recognized rebirth of a (Tibetan) Buddhist teacher (also called tulku in Tibetan)
Tibetan teacher
Tibetan

Rinzai see Lin Chi

Zen sect emphasizing sudden enlightenment and koan study. Named for master Linji.
Japanese; Chinese: Linji

Rohatsu

A day marking the attainment of Nirvana by Buddha; celebrated on the 8th day either of December or of the 12th month of the lunar calendar. According to the lunar calendar, the next Rohatsu will be January 17, 2005.
Japanese: 臘八 rōhatsu

Roshi

Zen title
Japanese

S

samanera/shramanera

A male novice monk, who, after a year or until the ripe age of twenty, will be considered for the higher Bhikkhu ordination.

samatha

Mental stabilization; tranquility meditation. Distinguished from vipāssana meditation.
Pāli; Sanskrit: śamatha

samu

Work, conceived as a part of Zen training.[1] (http://www.mbzc.org/glossary#samu)
Japanese: 作務

saṃsāra

The cycle of birth and rebirth; the world as commonly experienced
Sanskrit and Pali

saṃv{{subst:r}}ti

Conventional, as opposed to absolute, truth or reality. See also, paramārtha.
Sanskrit

saṅgha

The community of Buddhist monks and nuns.
Sanskrit; 僧 Jp: sō

Sayadaw

Burmese meditation master

satori

Awakening; understanding. A Japanese term for enlightenment
Japanese: 悟り; Cn: 悟 wu

sensei

Teacher; Zen teacher
Japanese: 先生

skandha

The five constituent elements into which an individual is analyzed. These are rūpa, "form", saṃjñā, "cognition", vedanā, "perception", *saṃskāras, "mental formations", *vijñāna, "consciousness".
Sanskrit; Pāli: khandha

sesshin

A Zen retreat where practitioners meditate, eat and work together for several days.
Japanese: 接心, also 摂心

shikantaza

Soto Zen. "Only concentrated on doing sitting" is the main meditation-method of Soto school of Zen-Buddhism in Japan.
Japanese: 只管打座

śūnyatā

Emptiness. See also: Nāgārjuna
Sanskrit; Pāli: suññatā
空 Jp: kū

soto-shu

Sect of Zen emphasizing shikantaza as the primary mode of practice. See also: Dogen
Japanese: 曹洞宗 sōtō-shū

store consciousness

The base consciousness (alayavijnana) taught in Yogacara Buddhism
阿頼耶識 Jp: Arayashiki

sutta

Scripture. Originally referred to short aphoristic sayings and collections thereof.
Pāli; Sanskrit: sutra; 經, 経 Jp: kyō

T

tanha

Craving or desire
Pali (Sanskrit: trsna)

tanto

In Zen, one of the main leaders of a sesshin.
In a Zen temple, the Tanto is the officer in charge of practice standards, i.e. teaching monks and lay practitioners how to sit, walk, bow, and chant in formal situations.
Japanese

Tathāgata

The "Thus-Come One" or “Thus-Gone One”; One of the Buddha's ten epithets
Sanskrit; 如来 Jp: nyorai

Tathagatagarbha

Buddha-nature or the seed of enlightenment
Sanskrit

teisho

A presentation by a Zen master during a sesshin. Rather than an explanation or exposition in the traditional sense, it is intended as a demonstration of Zen realisation.
Japanese

Tenzo

In Zen, the head cook for a sesshin
In Zen temples, the officer in charge of the kitchen
Japanese

Three periods

Three divisions of the time following the historical Buddha's passing: the Former (or Early) Day of the Law, the first thousand years; the Middle Day of the Law, the second thousand years; and the Latter Day of the Law, which is to last for 10,000 years.
三時 (Jp: sanji): 正法 (Jp: Shōbō), 像法 (Jp: Zōhō), and 末法 (Jp: Mappō)
The three periods are significant to Mahayana adherents, particularly those who hold the Lotus Sutra in high regard; e.g., Tiantai (Tendai) and Nichiren Buddhists, who believe that different Buddhist teachings are valid (i.e., able to lead practitioners to enlightenment) in each period due to the different capacity to accept a teaching (機根 Jp: kikon) of the people born in each respective period.
The three periods are further divided into five five-hundred year periods (五五百歳: Jp: go no gohyaku sai), the fifth and last of which was prophecized to be a when the Buddhism of Sakyamuni would loose all power of salvation and a new Buddha would appear to save the people. This time period would be characterized by unrest, strife, famine, and other, natural disasters.
The three periods and the five five-hundred year periods are described in the Sutra of the Great Assembly, or 大集経 (Jp: Daishutu-kyō, Daijuku-kyō, Daijikkyō, or Daishukkyō). Descriptions of the three periods also appear in other sutras, some of which ascribe different lengths of time to them (although all agree that Mappō will last for 10,000 years).

Three poisons

The three primary causes of unskillful action or creation of "negative" karma:

Greed or selfish desire (Sanskrit trsna; Jp: 貪 ton)
Hatred or anger (Sanskrit dvesa; jp: 瞋 jin;)
Ignorance or delusion (Sanskrit avidya; jp: 癡 chi; Tibetan: Marigpa)

三毒 Jp: sandoku

Tripiṭaka

The "Three Baskets"; canon containing the sacred texts for Buddhism (Pāli)
Sanskrit; Pāli: Tipiṭaka; 三蔵 Jp: Sanzō

Tulku

A re-incarnated Tibetan teacher
Tibetan

U

upāya

Expedient or expedient means; i.e., something useful (for elevating a believer to a higher level of understanding) though not necessarily ultimately true. Originally used as a polemical device against other schools—calling them “merely” expedient, lacking in ultimate truth. Later sometimes used against ones own school as well, to prevent students form forming attachments to doctrines.
In Mahayana doctrine, as exemplified in the Lotus Sutra, upāya are the useful means that Buddhas (and Buddhist teachers) use to free beings into enlightenment
Sanskrit
Jp: 方便 Hōben

Urna

a concave circular dot on the forehead between the eyebrows
Sanskrit

V

Vināya

"Discripline", the first basket of the canon, whichh deals with the rules of monastic life.
Pāli; Sanskrit

vipassana

Usually translated as “Insight” (lit. from √vis-drś, to “see apart”) meditation, most associated with the Theravada tradition, but present throughout Buddhism as an evolved tradition. Distinguished from śamatha meditation.
Pāli; Sanskrit: vipaśyana

Z

zazen

Zen meditation
Japanese

Zendo

In Zen, a hall where Zen (usually meaning zazen) is practiced (see Dojo)
Japanese

External links

Pali Text Society Dictionary (http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/Pali/) (Be sure to check the "Unicode font" option, and to have one; also, if looking for a word, choose "words that match")
Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (http://www.uni-koeln.de/phil-fak/indologie/tamil/mwd_search.html)
Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (http://www.acmuller.net/ddb) (Login with userid "guest")nl:Boeddhistische termen en concepten

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