World Religions: Buddhism

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Abhidhama Pitaka

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One of the Tripitaka, this is the metaphysical and philosophical doctrines of Buddhism.

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Anatta or Anatman

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The Buddhist idea that people do not have souls.

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Anicca

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Buddhist doctrine that all existent things are constantly changing and nothing is permanent.

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Arahats

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Buddhists who have reached Nirvana. (Buddhist Saints)

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Bardo

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The dream like state a persons soul is in for 49 days after their death. It is during this time that a soul decides whether they will be reincarnated or not.

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Bodhi Tree

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The fig tree under which Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment.

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Bodhisattvas

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Future Buddhas who stay in the world after enlightenment to help others on the path to salvation.

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Buddah

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Meaning "Enlightened One", this is the name given to Siddhartha Gautama after he achieved enlightenment.

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Deer Park Sermon

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Buddha's first sermon where he told his followers that the way to enlightenment is the 'Middle Way'.

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Dharma

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The divine law that people must follow. Your duties in life.

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Dukkha

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The pain and suffering in the world.

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Four Nobel Truths

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The four basic doctrines, or principles, of Buddhism: 1) Life is full of suffering. 2) Suffering is caused by our selfish desires. 3) The way to end all suffering is to end all desires. 4) The way to do this is to follow the 8 fold path.

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Gautama

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This was the clan name of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.

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Guru

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A spiritual teacher.

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Intuitive Sects

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The Buddhist group that believes that sudden inspiration after meditation is the key to enlightenment.

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Koan

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These are riddles that are used in Zen Buddhism to confuse logic and reason so that a person can reach enlightenment.

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Lamas

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The clergy of Tibetan Buddhism who eventually became the political leaders of Tibet as well.

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Lotus Sutra

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This was the scripture that Nichiren Buddhists believed one should meditate on in order to reach enlightenment.

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Mahayana Buddhism

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This is the larger and more liberal form of Buddhism.

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Mahayana Sects

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This form of Buddhism spread widely through out Asia and includes many groups such as; The Pure Land Sect, Intuitive Sects, Zen Buddhism, Rationalist sects, Nichiren Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism.

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Mandala

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"Sacred circle" The Buddhist diagram of the cosmos that represents the impermanence of life.

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Mantra

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A short sacred phrase, often chanted or used in meditation.

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Moksha

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A state of perfect understanding of all things according to Hinduism. This is the break from the reincarnation cycle.

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Mudra

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A stylized and symbolic hand gesture in Buddhism and Hinduism.

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Nirvana

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The Buddhist word for release from selfishness and pain. This will break the reincarnation cycle.

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Pagodas

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Buddhist temples.

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Pure Land Sect

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This is a Buddhist religious group that believes in a heaven ruled by Buddhas, particularly one called Amitabha.

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Rationalist Sect

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The Buddhist religious group that believes you have to study the Buddhist scriptures to reach enlightenment.

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Sangha

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A community of monks or faithful Buddhist followers.

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Hinayana

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Known as "The exclusive Way", it is the more Conservative of the 2 sects of Buddhism. Often use interchangeably with Theravada Buddhism.

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Shurangama

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This is a book of Buddhist mantras, or holy chants, that belong to Mahayana Buddhism.

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Satori

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The state of sudden spiritual enlightenment.

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Sattva

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Something that is divine and pure according to the Veda.

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Shamans

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Religious leaders, who were believed to be able to speak to spirits and heal the sick.

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Skandhas

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The five elements that Buddha believed combined to form what people call a persons soul.

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Sociopolitical Sect

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Also known as the Nichiren, it is a Buddhist group that believes that only by meditating on the Lotus Sutra can one reach enlightenment.

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Stupas

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Buddhist shrines that can contain relics of Buddha.

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Sutta Pitaka

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This is the collection of Buddha's writing that make up the cannon of Theravada Buddhism.

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Tanha

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Selfish desires.

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Tibetan Buddhism

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They believe in using magical words and formulas to help people out in this world. They do not focus much on enlightenment.

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Theravada Buddhism

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This the small and more strict form of Buddhism that believes in flowing the original teachings of Buddha.

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Tripitaka

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'Three baskets'; the collection of early sacred writings whose three sections consist of discourses attributed to the Buddha, rules of monastic discipline, and treatises on doctrine.

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Vinaya Pitaka

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One of the Tripitaka writings of Buddha, it refers to monastic discipline.

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Wat

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The Theravada Buddhist temple complex.

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Yellow Hat Group

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One of the two orders of Tibetan Buddhism, which is let by the Dalai Lama.

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Zazen

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The basic method of Zen meditation, traditionally practiced while seated in the lotus position in the meditation hall.

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Zen Buddhism

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The Japanese, Buddhist sect, that believes a person will reach enlightenment through meditation. (Very individualistic)

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Zen Dhyana

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The individual form of meditation that a person uses to reach enlightenment.