Buddhism Vocabulary Flashcards
anatman
“No-self,” no unchanging soul or self-nature; one of the three characteristics of existence: impermanence, suffering, and no-self
arhat
“The holy one,” one who has conquered all lust, hatred, and delusion; one who has conquered suffering and rebirth by following the Eightfold Path
bodhisattva
” A being (striving for) enlightenment”; in the Theravada, the term applies to the Buddha during his many lives preceding enlightenment and to Maitreya, the one who is yet striving and who will appear on earth as a Buddha at some future time. In the Mahayana, the term applies to all those earthly and heavenly beings who are striving toward enlightenment and, most significantly, who are striving for the welfare of other being, i.e., those who are dedicated to sharing their merit with others.
Buddha
“Awakened one,” “enlightenment one,” the title of the historical founder of Buddhism–Siddhartha Gautama; the Theravada tradition recognizes Gautama Buddha as the one and only Buddha for the present age and as one who ahs come and gone; the Mahayana recognizes numerous living Buddhas and uses the title “Shakyamuni” (sage of the Shakya tribe) to distinguish Gautama from other Buddhas, such as Amitabha and Vairocana
Dalai Lama
“Ocean-lama,” in the Tibetan tradition a spiritual teacher who is an “ocean” of wisdom and compassion; the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, once also the ruler of Tibet
dependent origination
The phrase designating the causal connection between moments arising and decaying in the endless process of life; the formula of dependent origination explains the cause and effect pattern of twelve factors that characterize ego-ridden existence
Dharma
“That which is firmly established,” the doctrine and path taught by the Buddha.
duhkha
“Suffering, unsatisfactoriness, the state of being ill-at-ease,” one of the three factors or characteristics of existence (impermanence, suffering, being without self).
Eightfold path
The middle path between worldliness and asceticism taught by the Buddha; the discipline of morality and meditation by which one gains the wisdom that results in nirvana.
Four Noble Truths
The basic and essential teaching of the Buddha: 1) that there is suffering; 2) that suffering is caused by desire; 3) that the cessation of suffering (nirvana) is possible; 4) that the Eightfold Path is the way to the cessation of suffering.
Hinayana
“The little vehicle, the narrow path,” the term used by Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhists to designate traditions of Buddhism such as the Theravada, which teach monasticism as the only way to nirvana.
Jainism
A religion of India founded by Mahavira, a contemporary of the Buddha; Mahavira taught that nonviolence and asceticism were ways to overcome suffering and death.
Mahayana
“The great vehicle, the wide path,” the Buddhist tradition emphasizing that the way to enlightenment and nirvana is open to all, by means of the merit of Buddhas and bodhisattvas as well as monastic discipline.
nirvana
“Blowing out (the fires of lust, hatred, delusion),” the cessation of suffering, freedom from rebirth.
rain-retreat
The three or four months (June-October) of the rainy season when Theravada monks remain in the monastery and intensify their discipline and study. Lay Theravadins are more devout in giving and more rigorous in attendance of Observance Day rituals during this period.
