Buddhism
Glossary of Key Terms
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Buddhism Glossary
Please note that words may be used in Pali (P) or Sanskrit (S)
Abhidhamma (P, Abhidharma (S)
Higher teaching of Buddhist Philosophy
Anatta (P), Anatman (S)
No independent or permanent self
Anicca (P), Aitya (S)
The impermanence of all things
Arahat (P), Arhat (S)
An enlightened disciple (Theravadan
Tradition)
Bhikku (P), Bhikshu (S)
Buddhist Monk
Bhikkuni (P), Bhikshuni (S)
Buddhist Nun
Bodhi Tree
The place where the Buddha is said to have
achieved enlightenment
Buddha
Someone who is fully enlightened
Dalai Lama
Leader of Tibetan Buddhists
Dhamma (P), Dharma (S)
The teachings given by the Buddha
(recognised by Buddhists to be the Truth)
Dukkha
Suffering (a characteristic of living)
Enlightenment
The state of full understanding about the way
things are in life – realising the Three Marks
Gautama
The family name of the Buddha
Hanamatsuri
The Festival of Flowers celebrating the birth of
the Buddha
Impermanence
Constant change, the fact that nothing last
forever
Jataka Tales
Stories of the previous lives of the Buddha
Kamma (P), Karma (S)
Moral actions carried out in this life will
influence your future and future lives
Kisagotami
The story of “Kisagtomai and the Mustard
Seed” teaches that suffering is universal in this
life
Lama
Teacher in Tibetan Buddhism
Lotus
This flower is the symbol of enlightenment
Magga (P), Marga (S)
The Middle Way – the path leading away from
suffering to enlightenment
Mahayana
Branch of Buddhism where the goal of
enlightenment is seen as being for the sake of
all living beings
Mala
Prayer Beads
Mandala
A pictorial diagram, often handmade out of
sand, used as tool for meditation
Mantra
A phrase which is chanted during worship
Mudra (S)
Hand positions on a Buddhist image; gestures
made in worship
Noble Eightfold Path
Eight techniques/rules of behaviour to follow
to help overcome difficulties in life
(Four) Noble Truths
The teachings of the Buddha by which
Buddhists live
Nibbana (P), Nirvana (S)
1. Suffering is Universal
2. The cause of suffering is universal
(craving)
3. The remedy to suffering is to realise the
truth and stop craving
4. This can be achieved by following the
Eightfold Path
State of Peace
Nirodha
The cessations of suffering (Third Noble Truth)
Pali Cannon
The Scriptures or teachings of the Buddha
Paramita(S)
Perfection
(Five) Precepts
Principles by which Buddhists live by
Puja
Buddhist Worship
Rebirth
Belief that a person has other lives before and
after the one they are presently in
(Three) Refuges
(or Three Jewels) The three most important
things in Buddhism; The Buddha, The
Dhamma and the Sangha
Reincarnation
Rebirth but not with the eternal soul
Samsara
The cycle or birth, death and rebirth which is
ceaseless (also used in Hinduism and Sikhism)
Sanskrit
Ancient Religious language of India
Sangha
The community of those who follow the
Buddha’s teachings
Siddhartha Gautama
The prince who became the Buddha
Stupa
(also Pagoda and Chorten) A monument
containing the remains of the Buddha or the
remains of a member of the Sangha
Tanha (P)
Craving; the cause of suffering
Theravada
The “Way of the Elders”; referring to a branch
of the Sangha
Tripitaka
Literally “three baskets” – a collection of
Buddhist texts
Vihara
Resting place, sometimes applied to
monasteries
Vinaya
The rules by which monks and nuns live by
Wat
A temple (Thailand)
Wesak
Festival when the enlightenment and death of
Buddha is remembered and celebrated
Zen
A form of Mahayana Buddhism