Glossary Terms Page 2 Flashcards
What does Kamma/Karma mean?
A person’s actions; the idea that skilful actions result in happiness and unskillful ones in suffering.
What does Karuna mean?
Compassion; feeling concerned for the suffering of other people and wanting to relieve their suffering.
What does Magga mean?
The fourth noble truth: the way to stop suffering; the Eightfold Path.
What is Mahayana Buddhism?
An umbrella term to describe some later Buddhist traditions, including Pure Land Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Zen Buddhism.
What is Mala?
Prayer beads that are used to count the number of recitations in a mantra.
What is a Mandala?
An intricate, circle-shaped pattern that is used for meditation.
What is a Mantra?
A short sequence of sacred syllables.
What is Mara?
A demon that represents spiritual obstacles, especially temptation.
What is meditation?
A practice of calming and focusing the mind, and reflecting deeply on specific teachings to penetrate their true meaning.
What is meditation (samadhi)?
A section of the Threefold Way that emphasises the role of mediation in the process of spiritual development.
What does Metta mean?
Loving-kindness; showing a benevolent, kind, friendly attitude towards other people.
What does Mindfulness of breathing mean?
A meditation practice focusing on the experience of breathing.
What is a Monastery (vihara)?
A place where Buddhist monks and nuns live.
What is Nibbana/nirvana?
A state of complete enlightenment, happiness and peace.
What is Nidanas?
12 factors that illustrate the process of birth, death and rebirth.
What is Nirodha?
The third noble truth: suffering can be stopped.
What is Pali?
The language of the earliest Buddhist scriptures.
What is Parinirvana Day?
A Mahayana festival that commemorates the Buddha’s passing away.
What is Puja?
An act of worship.
What is Pure Land Buddhism?
A Mahayana form of Buddhism based on belief in Amitabha Buddha.
What is a Retreat?
A period of time spent away from everyday life in order to focus on meditation practice.
What is Samatha meditation?
Calming meditation; a type of meditation that involves calming the mind and developing deeper concentration.
What is samsara?
The repeating cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.
What is Samudaya?
The second noble truth: there are causes of suffering.
What does Sanskrit mean?
The language used in later Indian Buddhist texts.
What is a Shrine?
An area with a statue of a Buddha or Bodhisattva which provides Buddhists with a focal lint for meditation and devotion.
