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Buddhism - Terms
Term Meaning
Agama A grouping of early Buddhist writings; consists of five agamas collectively.
Sanskrit for 'immeasurable light and immeasurable life'; Buddha of Pure Land
Amitabha
Buddhism.
Tathagatha A title for Gautama Buddha or a perfected follower of Buddhism.
Anapanasati Mindfulness of breathing; a fundamental Buddhist meditation technique.
Anicca Concept of impermanence; belief that everything is constantly changing.
Arhat A person who has attained Nirvana and is free from the cycle of rebirth.
Bhavacakra Depiction of Samsara; found in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
Bhante Honorific title used for Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition.
Bodhisattva An individual on the path to Buddhahood who postpones Nirvana to help others.
Dhammapada A collection of 423 verses attributed to Gautama Buddha.
Dipankara An ancient Buddha who preceded Gautama Buddha.
Gassho Japanese Buddhist greeting with palms together; conveys respect.
Kakusandha
One of the ancient Buddhas mentioned in the Pali Canon.
Buddha
Kshanti Patience, tolerance, and forgiveness; a Buddhist perfection (paramita).
Kumbhanda Dwarfish supernatural entities in Buddhist mythology.
Buddhist philosophy by Nagarjuna emphasizing the concept of emptiness
Madhyamaka
(Shunyata).
Mahamudra Advanced meditation practice in Vajrayana Buddhism, emphasizing non-duality.

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 Nekkhamma Renunciation; freedom from cravings and desires.
Nirvana Liberation from suffering and the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Pabbajja Act of leaving home to live a monastic life as a bhikkhu.
Paramartha Indian Buddhist monk who translated Buddhist texts into Chinese.
Paramita Perfections such as generosity and wisdom cultivated by Bodhisattvas.
Parinirvana Final Nirvana attained upon the death of an enlightened being.
Prajna Wisdom or profound understanding in Buddhist teachings.
Pratityasamutpada Doctrine of dependent origination; belief that phenomena arise conditionally.
Pratyekabuddha A 'solitary Buddha' who attains enlightenment without a teacher.
Ratnasambhava One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas; represents equality and generosity.
Samanera Novice monk in Buddhist monastic traditions.
Samatha Tranquility meditation; calmness and concentration practice.
Samsara Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhist cosmology.
Sangha Monastic community of Buddhist monks and nuns.
Tanha Craving or desire; regarded as the cause of suffering.
Three Jewels Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha – the three fundamental aspects of Buddhism.
Tiantai Mahayana Buddhist school that originated in China in the 6th century.
Trialokya Three realms of existence – desire, form, and formless realms.
Tulku A reincarnated Buddhist master in Tibetan Buddhism.
Upadana Clinging or attachment; a key Buddhist concept related to suffering.
Upasaka Lay follower of Buddhism who follows certain precepts.
Upaya Skillful means; actions taken to guide beings toward enlightenment.
Upeksha Equanimity; maintaining mental stability in all situations.
Urna Symbolic mark on Buddha’s forehead representing wisdom.
Viriya Diligence and effort in pursuing the Buddhist path.
Yana Vehicle or path in Buddhism, such as Theravada, Mahayana, or Vajrayana.
Satori Japanese Buddhist term for sudden enlightenment.
Sutra Canonical Buddhist scriptures containing the teachings of the Buddha.
Skandha Five aggregates (form, sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness).
Vihara Buddhist monastery or place of retreat for monks.
Dharma Teachings of the Buddha and the universal truth.
Dharmakaya One of the three bodies of Buddha; represents ultimate reality.
Mahakasyapa Principal disciple of Buddha; led the first Buddhist council.
Mandala Sacred geometric diagram used in meditation and rituals.
Mudita Sympathetic joy in the happiness of others.

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 Prajnaparamita Perfection of wisdom; key concept in Mahayana Buddhism.
Samjna Perception and mental recognition of sensory objects.
Sambhogakaya One of the three bodies of Buddha; celestial or bliss body.
Shakyamuni Another name for Gautama Buddha, referring to his Sakya clan heritage.
Bardo Tibetan concept of the state of consciousness between death and rebirth.
Appamada Heedfulness, diligence, and zeal; a key mental quality in Buddhism.
Jhana Deep mental absorption; state of strong concentration in meditation.
Mara Personification of evil and temptation in Buddhist mythology.
Metta Loving-kindness or goodwill; part of the four Brahma Viharas.
Papanca Mental proliferation; tendency of the mind to generate conflicts.
Piti Rapture or bliss in meditation; linked to jhana development.
Saddha Conviction or faith in the Buddha and his teachings.
Samadhi Concentration or absorption in meditation, leading to deep insight.
Vajrapani Embodiment of the power of all Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism.
Vasubhandu 5th-century Buddhist scholar who wrote 'Treasury of Abhidharma'.
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva of compassion; widely revered in Mahayana Buddhism.

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Auspicious mark on Buddha’s forehead; symbolizes a third eye representing vision

Urna
into the divine world.
Insight meditation; seeks realization of impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha),
Vipassana
and non-self (anatta).

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 Energy and diligence; part of the five spiritual faculties, ten perfections, and the
Viriya
Noble Eightfold Path.
Mode or method of spiritual practice in Buddhism; divisions like Theravada,
Yana
Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
A school of Buddhism in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam that reveres the Lotus
Tiantai
Sutra as the highest teaching.
The three worlds or realms of existence in Buddhism: Kāmaloka (desire realm),
Trailokya
Rūpaloka (form realm), and Arūpaloka (formless realm).
A reincarnate custodian of a specific lineage of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism;
Tulku
includes figures like the Dalai Lamas.
Attachment, clinging, or grasping; considered a result of taṇhā (craving) and part of
Upadana
the doctrine of suffering (dukkha).
A religious functionary responsible for guiding novices and hearing monastic vows;
Upadhyaya
translated as abbot or preceptor.
A lay Buddhist who undertakes certain ethical vows, such as the Five Precepts, while
Upasaka
not being a monk or nun.
Skillful means; voluntary actions taken to guide beings toward enlightenment,
Upaya
sometimes with incomplete reasoning.
Buddhist concept of equanimity; one of the Brahma Viharas (meditative states)
Upeksha
cultivated on the path to Nirvana.
A school of Buddhism in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam that reveres the Lotus
Tiantai
Sutra as the highest teaching.
The three worlds or realms of existence in Buddhism: Kāmaloka (desire realm),
Trailokya
Rūpaloka (form realm), and Arūpaloka (formless realm).
A reincarnate custodian of a specific lineage of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism;
Tulku
includes figures like the Dalai Lamas.
Attachment, clinging, or grasping; considered a result of taṇhā (craving) and part of
Upadana
the doctrine of suffering (dukkha).
A religious functionary responsible for guiding novices and hearing monastic vows;
Upadhyaya
translated as abbot or preceptor.
A lay Buddhist who undertakes certain ethical vows, such as the Five Precepts, while
Upasaka
not being a monk or nun.
Skillful means; voluntary actions taken to guide beings toward enlightenment,
Upaya
sometimes with incomplete reasoning.
Buddhist concept of equanimity; one of the Brahma Viharas (meditative states)
Upeksha
cultivated on the path to Nirvana.
Insight meditation; seeks realization of impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha),
Vipassana
and non-self (anatta).
Shramana refers to a practitioner or ascetic in Buddhism who follows a path of
Shramana renunciation and self-discipline. Shramanas, including Buddhist monks and nuns,
renounce worldly attachments and strive for spiritual awakening
It is a place where Buddhist medicants debated and stayed.The term means “hut with
Kutagarshala
a pointed roof”
Energy and diligence; part of the five spiritual faculties, ten perfections, and the
Viriya
Noble Eightfold Path.

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 Mode or method of spiritual practice in Buddhism; divisions like Theravada,
Yana
Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
A novice monk; one who is making the first approach to full membership of the
Samanera
Buddhist Sangha.
Tranquility of the mind; single-pointed meditation for mental calmness and
Samatha
concentration.
The endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; associated with suffering (dukkha) and
Samsara
karma.
Conventional truth; contrasted with absolute truth (paramartha) in Buddhist
Samvriti
philosophy.
Sangha Monastic community of Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis).
The 23rd Buddha in Buddhist mythology; preceded by Vipassi and succeeded by
Sikhi Buddha
Vessabhu.
Theory of dependent origination; all phenomena arise due to preceding causes;
Pratityasamutpada
common across all Buddhist traditions.
Pratyekabuddha A solitary Buddha who attains enlightenment by himself but does not teach others.
One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism; represents
Ratnasambhava
wisdom of equality and eradicates pride.
To go forth; the act of renouncing lay life to join the monastic community; includes
Pabbajja
novice and higher ordination.
Indian Buddhist monk (499-569 CE) known for translating Buddhist texts into
Paramartha
Chinese, including Vasubandhu's Abhidharmakosha.
Perfection; refers to noble character qualities associated with enlightened beings in
Paramita
Buddhism.
Final Nirvana; occurs after the death of someone who has already attained Nirvana;
Parinirvana
release from Samsara and rebirth.
Wisdom or intelligence; realization of impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha),
Prajna
and non-self (anatta); key in Buddhist meditation.
Patience, forbearance, and forgiveness; one of the paramitas in both Theravāda and
Kshanti
Mahāyāna Buddhism.
A group of dwarfish, misshapen spirits among the lesser deities in Buddhist
Kumbhanda
mythology; sometimes equated with Yakshas.
A Mahayana Buddhist school founded by Nagarjuna; emphasizes the middle path,
Madhyamaka
avoiding eternalism and nihilism.
The four great elements in Buddhism—earth, water, fire, and air—fundamental to all
Mahabhuti
existence.
A deep meditation practice in Vajrayana Buddhism that emphasizes the unity of
Mahamudra
wisdom and emptiness.
Renunciation or non-attachment; one of the ten perfections (paramis) in Theravada
Nekkhamma
Buddhism.
Ultimate spiritual goal in Buddhism; liberation from suffering and the cycle of birth
Nirvana
and rebirth.

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 A collection of Buddha’s sayings in verse form; part of the Khuddaka Nikaya in the
Dhammapada
Pali Canon.
A type of wrathful deity in Buddhism; protector of the Dharma; classified as Worldly
Dharmapala
Protectors and Wisdom Protectors.
One of the past Buddhas; believed to have lived many aeons ago; predecessor to
Dipankara
Gautama Buddha.
A gesture of greeting and reverence in Buddhist traditions; palms together with
Gassho
fingers pointing upwards.
Mindfulness of breathing; a form of Buddhist meditation originally taught by
Anapanasati
Gautama Buddha.
Impermanence; the idea that nothing remains the same and everything constantly
Anicca
changes.
A person who has attained enlightenment; in Mahayana, an advanced being on the
Arhat
path but not a full Buddha.
A symbolic representation of Samsara (cyclic existence), often found in Tibetan
Bhavacakra
Buddhist temples.
A polite term used to address Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition, meaning
Bhante
'Venerable Sir'.
An enlightened being who postpones their own salvation to help all sentient beings
Bodhisattva
reach enlightenment.
Adhitthana Determination, resolve; one of the ten perfections (paramis) in Theravada Buddhism.
Agama The non-Mahayana divisions of the Sutta Pitaka; early Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddha of the Western 'Pure Land'; also known as Amida in Japanese
Amitabha
Buddhism.
A title used by Gautama Buddha to refer to himself; means 'Thus-Gone-One' or
Tathagata
'Thus-Come-One'.

Nirodha The cessation of suffering; the Third Noble Truth in Buddhism.

Dukkha Suffering or dissatisfaction, a fundamental concept in Buddhism.

Dukkhanirodha
The noble truth of the cessation of suffering.
ariyasacca

Tanhakkhaya Extinction of craving or thirst.

Asamkhata The unconditioned or uncompounded state, referring to Nirvana.

Viraga The absence of desire or attachment.

Nirodha Cessation; stopping the cycle of suffering and rebirth.

Blowing out or extinction, often referring to the extinguishing of suffering and

Nibbana
ignorance.

Avijja Ignorance; the false idea of self that is annihilated upon enlightenment.

Yathabhutam Seeing things as they truly are; the realization of reality without delusions.

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 Samsara The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Ānāpānasati Mindfulness of breathing, a form of Buddhist meditation.

Anicca Impermanence; nothing is permanent, everything is in flux.

Arhat A person who has attained Nirvana in Buddhism, free from rebirth.

Bhāvacakra A symbolic representation of saṃsāra, found on Tibetan Buddhist temples.

Bhante A respectful term for Buddhist monks in the Theravāda tradition.

Dhammapada A collection of Buddha’s sayings in verse form, part of the Pali Canon.

Dharmapala Wrathful deities that serve as protectors of Buddhist teachings.

Dīpankara A Buddha of the past, said to have lived many aeons ago.

Gassho A greeting gesture with palms together, expressing reverence.

Kakusanadha
An ancient Buddha, the first of the five Buddhas of the present Kalpa.
Buddha

Ksitigarbha “Earth Womb”; bodhisattva who saves beings suffering in hellish realms.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva representing the power of wisdom, found in Pure Land Buddhism.

Maitreya Future Buddha who will succeed Gautama Buddha.

Manjusri Bodhisattva of wisdom; wields a flaming sword to cut through ignorance.

Madhyamaka A Buddhist philosophical school that emphasizes the “Middle Way”.

Nirvana (Nibbana) Liberation from suffering and the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Padmasambhava Founder of Tibetan Buddhism, regarded as a second Buddha in the Nyingma school.

Pratītyasamutpāda The principle of dependent origination; everything arises due to causes.

Ratnasambhava One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas; represents the wisdom of equality.

Samadhi Deep meditative absorption leading to spiritual enlightenment.

Samantabhadra Represents Buddhist practice and meditation.

Samatha “Tranquility meditation”; focuses on calming the mind.

Samsara The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Buddhism.

Sangha The Buddhist monastic community of monks and nuns.

Sitatapatra Goddess of the White Parasol; protector against supernatural dangers.

Sutra A written text containing the teachings of Buddha.

Tara Female bodhisattva representing success and achievements.

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 Tathagata A title for Buddha meaning “one who has thus gone” or “thus come”.

Upaya Skillful means in Buddhist teachings to guide beings towards enlightenment.

Vajrapani Bodhisattva who embodies Buddha’s power and protection.

Vasudhara Bodhisattva of abundance, prosperity, and fertility.

Vinaya Discipline; rules for monks and nuns in Buddhism.

Vipassana Insight meditation leading to self-realization.

Yana Vehicle or method of spiritual practice in Buddhism.

Ahimsa Non-violence; a key Buddhist ethical principle.

Dana Giving or generosity, a fundamental virtue in Buddhism.

Karuna Compassion towards all living beings.

Dukkha Suffering; a central concept in Buddhism.

Patīcca-
Dependent origination; interconnectedness of all things.
Samuppāda

Viraga Absence of desire; detachment from material pleasures.

Avijja Ignorance, one of the root causes of suffering.

Vaitanika Wage earner in ancient Buddhist societies.

Karmakaras Laborers who worked for wages.

Dasa Servile laborer, often denoting unfree status.

Dalidda (Daridra) Extreme poverty, denoting economic disparities.

Samanas Wandering ascetics who renounced household life.

Paribbajaka Wanderers engaged in religious discussions and debates.

Anathapindika A wealthy merchant who was a major patron of Buddhism.

Amrapali A famous courtesan who became a follower of Buddhism.

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