Glossary
Sources: http://archive.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/buddhism/buddhism-glossary.cfm
https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/files/2018/07/Glossary.pdf (each with revisions)
Amitabha Buddha: The buddha who guards humanity between the departure of the Buddha Shakyamuni and the appearance of the Buddha Maitreya. He resides in the pure land of Sukhavati. (See also: Who's Who in Buddhism)
Arhat/Lohan: Sanskrit for "one who is worthy," a perfected person, one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence. In China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet, arhats are the close disciples of the Buddha who also achieved nirvana.
Avalokiteshvara/Kannon: The bodhisattva of infinite compassion, from the Sanskrit term "the lord who looks in every direction." (See also: Who's Who in Buddhism)
Bodhisattva
(Pronunciation: "boh-dee-SAHT-vah") A being who aspires toward Buddhahood or who is already enlightened and thus has the wisdom and power sufficient to attain full Buddhahood, but who puts it off to help others.
Bodhi Tree: The tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. A pipal tree or ficus religiosa, a member of the fig family. It is believed that a descendant of the original tree is preserved at Bodh Gaya, India, and in Sri Lanka.
Bodhidharma: Ta-mo (Chinese) or Daruma (Japanese), an Indian monk who brought meditational or Ch'an (Zen in Japan) Buddhism to China.
Bodhidharma: Ta-mo (Chinese) or Daruma (Japanese), an Indian monk who brought meditational or Ch'an (Zen in Japan) Buddhism to China.
Buddha
A being who has attained complete enlightenment (nirvana), the highest level of perfection within the Buddhist spectrum of existence.
Buddha Shakyamuni: The name means "Sage of the Shakyas," the clan into which Prince Siddhartha was born in Nepal in the 5th century B.C. (See also: Who's Who in Buddhism)
Buddhism
A religion or philosophy founded by an Indian prince in the fifth century B.C. in which followers seek to attain enlightenment, a state of complete spiritual freedom known as nirvana. In so doing, they escape the endless cycle of birth and death as well as the pain and suffering associated with life.
Devas - (Pronunciation: "DAY-vahss") Literally "heavenly beings," devas comprise of a large group of deities from the pantheons of other religions—especially Hinduism—who have been adopted into the service of Buddhism.
Dharma: The teachings of the Buddha, which offer the path to enlightenment.
Earth Touching Gesture: The Buddha touched the earth and called on it to witness the moment of
his enlightenment.
Enlightenment: Wisdom, the understanding of the true nature of reality, and compassion for others; the final release of the soul from the cycle of rebirth. Also known as Nirvana.
A being who has attained complete enlightenment (nirvana), the highest level of perfection within the Buddhist spectrum of existence.
Buddha Shakyamuni: The name means "Sage of the Shakyas," the clan into which Prince Siddhartha was born in Nepal in the 5th century B.C. (See also: Who's Who in Buddhism)
Buddhism
A religion or philosophy founded by an Indian prince in the fifth century B.C. in which followers seek to attain enlightenment, a state of complete spiritual freedom known as nirvana. In so doing, they escape the endless cycle of birth and death as well as the pain and suffering associated with life.
Devas - (Pronunciation: "DAY-vahss") Literally "heavenly beings," devas comprise of a large group of deities from the pantheons of other religions—especially Hinduism—who have been adopted into the service of Buddhism.
Dharma: The teachings of the Buddha, which offer the path to enlightenment.
Earth Touching Gesture: The Buddha touched the earth and called on it to witness the moment of
his enlightenment.
Enlightenment: Wisdom, the understanding of the true nature of reality, and compassion for others; the final release of the soul from the cycle of rebirth. Also known as Nirvana.
Guanyin: Chinese name for the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
Hinayana
(Pronunciation: "HEE-nah-yah-nah") Literally "The Lesser Vehicle;" a derogatory term for Mainstream Buddhism, now popular in Southeast Asia as the Theraveda sect.
Historical Buddha: The Buddha who lived in the 5th century B.C. in India. Through existence, there have been countless buddhas, some of which are also venerated by certain forms of Buddhism. Also known as the Buddha Shakyamuni.
Jizo
(Pronunciation: "jee-ZOH") A Bodhisattva who comes to the aid of people condemned to the torments of hell. Jizo is also worshiped independently as a protector of children and pregnant women. Chinese: Ti-tsang ("DEE-dzahng"); Sanskrit: Ksitigarbha ("ksih-tee-GAHR-bah")
Kannon
(Pronunciation: "KAH-nohn") The Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion. Chinese: Kuan-yin ("GWAHN-yeen"); Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara
Kesa
(Pronunciation: "KAY-sah") A Japanese Buddhist monk's ceremonial robe.
Lama: Tibetan for "superior one" or spiritual leader.
Lohan: A Chinese term for a perfected person (arhat), one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence. In China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet, arhats are the close disciples of the Buddha who also achieved nirvana.
Lokapala
(Pronunciation: "LOH-kah-pah-lah") Guardians of the four directions, or "Four Heavenly Kings," commonly found in Buddhist temple architecture. Chinese: T'ien-Wang ("TYEN-wahng"); Japanese: Shi-Tenno ("SHEE-ten-noh").
Mahayana
(Pronunciation: "MAH-huh-YAH-nuh") "The Greater Vehicle," A form of Buddhism that stresses universal salvation and compassion for others to a greater degree than the pursuit of individual perfection. Developed in India around the time of Christ and spread to China, Korea, Tibet, and Japan by the 7th century.
Maitreya
(Pronunciation: "mye-TRAY-ah") The Buddha of the Future. A bodhisattva who will come in the future and save the world from lawlessness. He will be enthroned by Buddha Shakyamuni as the next Buddha. "Maitreya" means benevolence. (See also: Who's Who in Buddhism)
Mandala
(Pronunciation: "MAHN-dah-lah") A geometric diagram or sculptural arrangement of a perfected world; often including deities, bodhisattvas, and incarnations of the Buddha.
Manjusri
(Pronunciation: "mahn-joo-SHREE) The Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Chinese: Wen-shu ("WEN-shoo"); Japanese: Monju ("MOHN-joo")
Mantra (Sanskrit): A powerful or sacred syllable or phrase recited as a form of meditation; it is often
associated with invoking the power of a particular deity (see Who's Who in Buddhism).
Meditation: Focused concentration and emptying of the mind. A tool for understanding the true nature of reality.
Mudra: Hand gestures that have specific symbolic meanings.
Nirvana: Enlightenment; release from the cycle of rebirth. From the Sanskrit word for "extinction" or "blowing out."
Noble Eightfold Path: The essential teachings of the Buddha that help followers overcome desire and attachment: (1) right view, (2) right thought, (3) right speech, (4) right action, (5) right living, (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness, and (8) right concentration.
Pagoda: A temple that evolved from the Indian stupa. Found in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Parinirvana: At the Buddha's death--his final release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Samsara: The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, to which souls are chained.
Sangha: The community of monks and nuns as well as the lay community that supports them.
Sanskrit: The language of the earliest Mahayana Buddhist texts. Pali is the language of the earliest Mainstream Buddhist texts.
Siddhartha Gautama: The historical Buddha was one of many buddhas who have become or will be enlightened beings and break the wheel of birth, death, and rebirth. The name means "Sage of the Shakyas," the people into which Prince Siddhartha was born in Nepal in the 6th century B.C. He became known as Gautama when he became a monk.
Stupa: A Buddhist monument housing relics of the Buddha or other holy figures. The basic form originated in India as a circular structure, often set on a base. In China, Japan, and Korea, a multi-tiered pagoda is a form of stupa, and in many countries, miniature stupas are included on Buddhist altars.
Sutras/Suttas: Sacred Buddhist scriptures; teaching texts.
Thangka: Tibetan scroll painting that shows deities, sacred lands, or mandalas.
Theravada
(Pronunciation: "TEHR-uh-VAH-duh") Literally "The Way of the Elders;" the form of Mainstream Buddhism as evolved in Southeast Asia today. (see also Hinayana).
Urna
(Pronunciation: "OOR-nuh") A coil of hair on the forehead (often depicted as a jewel), one of the traditional identifying aspects of a Buddha.
Ushnisha
(Pronunciation: "oosh-NEESH-uh") A bump on the Buddha's head signifying great wisdom; one of the 32 marks of greatness.
Vairocana
(Pronunciation: "vai-ROH-chuh-nuh") The Supreme or Cosmic Buddha, from which—in some Buddhist traditions like Huayan—all other Buddhas emanate. Chinese: P'i-lu-che-na ("pea-LOO-juh-nah"); Japanese: Roshana ("ROH-shah-nah").
Vajra
(Pronunciation: "VUHJ-ruh") Means diamond or thunderbolt, also a ritual implement. Symbolizes the immovable mind or supreme wisdom or nirvana. Refers to what is eternal and indestructible in us all.
Vajrayana
(Pronunciation: "VUHJ-ruh-YAH-nuh") "The Diamond Vehicle." Emphasizes the assistance that rituals (mantras and mandalas) that speeds up the path to enlightenment. Vajarayana is the most advanced and esoteric form of Buddhist teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist view.
Wheel of the Law: The wheel represents the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth or samsara. The Wheel of the Law or Dharma stands for the teachings of Buddha, which provide a path to enlightenment.
Zen Buddhism: From the Sanksrit dhyana or meditation, a Japanese form of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation, the relationship between the teacher and student, and the use of conundrums to induce enlightenment.
Hinayana
(Pronunciation: "HEE-nah-yah-nah") Literally "The Lesser Vehicle;" a derogatory term for Mainstream Buddhism, now popular in Southeast Asia as the Theraveda sect.
Historical Buddha: The Buddha who lived in the 5th century B.C. in India. Through existence, there have been countless buddhas, some of which are also venerated by certain forms of Buddhism. Also known as the Buddha Shakyamuni.
Jizo
(Pronunciation: "jee-ZOH") A Bodhisattva who comes to the aid of people condemned to the torments of hell. Jizo is also worshiped independently as a protector of children and pregnant women. Chinese: Ti-tsang ("DEE-dzahng"); Sanskrit: Ksitigarbha ("ksih-tee-GAHR-bah")
Kannon
(Pronunciation: "KAH-nohn") The Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion. Chinese: Kuan-yin ("GWAHN-yeen"); Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara
Kesa
(Pronunciation: "KAY-sah") A Japanese Buddhist monk's ceremonial robe.
Lama: Tibetan for "superior one" or spiritual leader.
Lohan: A Chinese term for a perfected person (arhat), one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence. In China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet, arhats are the close disciples of the Buddha who also achieved nirvana.
Lokapala
(Pronunciation: "LOH-kah-pah-lah") Guardians of the four directions, or "Four Heavenly Kings," commonly found in Buddhist temple architecture. Chinese: T'ien-Wang ("TYEN-wahng"); Japanese: Shi-Tenno ("SHEE-ten-noh").
Mahayana
(Pronunciation: "MAH-huh-YAH-nuh") "The Greater Vehicle," A form of Buddhism that stresses universal salvation and compassion for others to a greater degree than the pursuit of individual perfection. Developed in India around the time of Christ and spread to China, Korea, Tibet, and Japan by the 7th century.
Maitreya
(Pronunciation: "mye-TRAY-ah") The Buddha of the Future. A bodhisattva who will come in the future and save the world from lawlessness. He will be enthroned by Buddha Shakyamuni as the next Buddha. "Maitreya" means benevolence. (See also: Who's Who in Buddhism)
Mandala
(Pronunciation: "MAHN-dah-lah") A geometric diagram or sculptural arrangement of a perfected world; often including deities, bodhisattvas, and incarnations of the Buddha.
Manjusri
(Pronunciation: "mahn-joo-SHREE) The Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Chinese: Wen-shu ("WEN-shoo"); Japanese: Monju ("MOHN-joo")
Mantra (Sanskrit): A powerful or sacred syllable or phrase recited as a form of meditation; it is often
associated with invoking the power of a particular deity (see Who's Who in Buddhism).
Meditation: Focused concentration and emptying of the mind. A tool for understanding the true nature of reality.
Mudra: Hand gestures that have specific symbolic meanings.
Nirvana: Enlightenment; release from the cycle of rebirth. From the Sanskrit word for "extinction" or "blowing out."
Noble Eightfold Path: The essential teachings of the Buddha that help followers overcome desire and attachment: (1) right view, (2) right thought, (3) right speech, (4) right action, (5) right living, (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness, and (8) right concentration.
Pagoda: A temple that evolved from the Indian stupa. Found in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Parinirvana: At the Buddha's death--his final release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Samsara: The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, to which souls are chained.
Sangha: The community of monks and nuns as well as the lay community that supports them.
Sanskrit: The language of the earliest Mahayana Buddhist texts. Pali is the language of the earliest Mainstream Buddhist texts.
Siddhartha Gautama: The historical Buddha was one of many buddhas who have become or will be enlightened beings and break the wheel of birth, death, and rebirth. The name means "Sage of the Shakyas," the people into which Prince Siddhartha was born in Nepal in the 6th century B.C. He became known as Gautama when he became a monk.
Stupa: A Buddhist monument housing relics of the Buddha or other holy figures. The basic form originated in India as a circular structure, often set on a base. In China, Japan, and Korea, a multi-tiered pagoda is a form of stupa, and in many countries, miniature stupas are included on Buddhist altars.
Sutras/Suttas: Sacred Buddhist scriptures; teaching texts.
Thangka: Tibetan scroll painting that shows deities, sacred lands, or mandalas.
Theravada
(Pronunciation: "TEHR-uh-VAH-duh") Literally "The Way of the Elders;" the form of Mainstream Buddhism as evolved in Southeast Asia today. (see also Hinayana).
Urna
(Pronunciation: "OOR-nuh") A coil of hair on the forehead (often depicted as a jewel), one of the traditional identifying aspects of a Buddha.
Ushnisha
(Pronunciation: "oosh-NEESH-uh") A bump on the Buddha's head signifying great wisdom; one of the 32 marks of greatness.
Vairocana
(Pronunciation: "vai-ROH-chuh-nuh") The Supreme or Cosmic Buddha, from which—in some Buddhist traditions like Huayan—all other Buddhas emanate. Chinese: P'i-lu-che-na ("pea-LOO-juh-nah"); Japanese: Roshana ("ROH-shah-nah").
Vajra
(Pronunciation: "VUHJ-ruh") Means diamond or thunderbolt, also a ritual implement. Symbolizes the immovable mind or supreme wisdom or nirvana. Refers to what is eternal and indestructible in us all.
Vajrayana
(Pronunciation: "VUHJ-ruh-YAH-nuh") "The Diamond Vehicle." Emphasizes the assistance that rituals (mantras and mandalas) that speeds up the path to enlightenment. Vajarayana is the most advanced and esoteric form of Buddhist teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist view.
Wheel of the Law: The wheel represents the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth or samsara. The Wheel of the Law or Dharma stands for the teachings of Buddha, which provide a path to enlightenment.
Zen Buddhism: From the Sanksrit dhyana or meditation, a Japanese form of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation, the relationship between the teacher and student, and the use of conundrums to induce enlightenment.
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