buddhism Flashcards
anatta
No fixed self, no soul; the Universal Truth that the soul is insubstantial; that people change in the course of their lives; denial of a real or permanent self.
anicca
Impermanence, instability, not permanent.
Arhat
A perfected person. In Theravada Buddhism this is a term for a person who has attained nibbana.
ascetic
A life free from worldly pleasures (especially sexual activity and consumption of alcohol), often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals.
Bodhisattva
A concept in Mahayana Buddhism. A being destined for enlightenment, who postpones final attainment of Buddhahood in order to help living beings.
Buddha
- Historically the Buddha - the enlightened one.
- An awakened or enlightened person.
Buddhahood
Enlightenment
Buddha-nature
In Mahayana Buddhism, this refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can attain Buddhahood.
Buddha rupa
An image of a being that has achieved Buddhahood
chanting
Singing or intoning.
compassion
Karuna. Pity. Part of the spiritual path.
concentration
Focusing one’s attention.
consciousness
The fifth of the Five Aggregates. Awareness of something without or before recognition (perception)
dependent arising
Paticcasamupada. The belief that everything in existence is because other things are. The idea that everything is interconnected and that everyone affects everyone else.
devotional ritual
Puja. A ceremony that involves meditation, prayer and offerings.
dharma
Universal law; ultimate truth; the teachings of Buddha. Spelt in Sanskrit as dharma.
Dhammapada
A sacred text of the Pali tradition with 426 verses.
dharma (in brackets)
The Sanskrit form of dhamma. Universal law; ultimate truth; the teachings of Buddha.
dukkha
Suffering; ill; everything leads to suffering; unsatisfactoriness.
the Eightfold Path
The fourth Noble Truth. Magga. The middle way. The way to wisdom; mental training and the way of morality. Eight stages to be practised simultaneously.
