buddhism

• Anatta


  Belief that there is no fixed self / no soul; one of the Three Marks of Existence
• Anicca


  Impermanence. Belief that nothing is permanent; one of the Three Marks of Existence
• Arhat


  A perfected person. In Theravada Buddhism this is a term for a person who has become enlightened
• Ascetic


  A life free from worldly pleasures, and involves giving up of material possessions. An ascetic life often has the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals
• Bodhisattva


  In Mahayana Buddhism this is a being destined for enlightenment, who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings
• Buddha


  • Historically the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)
  • An awakened or enlightened person
• Buddhahood


  Reaching enlightenment
• Buddha-nature


  In Mahayana Buddhism this refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can become enlightened / reach Buddhahood
• Buddha rupa


  An image or statue of the historical Buddha or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood
• Chanting


  Singing or rhythmic repetition of a word, prayer or sound
• Compassion (Karuna)


  Sympathy and concern for the suffering of others; a key part of Buddhist ethics
• Concentration


  Focusing one's attention; an important part of meditation and mindfulness of breathing
• Consciousness


  The fifth of the Five Aggregates; the state of being aware of something / your surroundings before or without perception
• Craving (tahna)


  The ongoing state of desire which causes suffering; grasping at things we enjoy / want
• Dependent arising (Paticcasamupada)


  The belief that everything exists because other things do; everything is interconnected and everyone affects everyone else
• Dhamma (Dharma)


  The teachings of the Buddha
• Generosity


  One of the Mahayanan six perfections; the sincere and selfless desire to benefit others with no expectation of reward
• Gompa


  Tibetan monasteries associated with learning and studying the dharma
• Greed


  One of the Three Poisons; the attachment to material things, and the ongoing selfish desire for more
• Hate


  One of the Three Poisons; a feeling of intense dislike, anger, wishing others harm
• Ignorance


  One of the Three Poisons; the inability to see things as they really are. It is like a veil that prevents us seeing / understanding the truth of dukkha, anicca and anatta
• Intoxicants


  Substances that cloud the mind, e.g. alcohol, drugs. The five moral precepts teach against using these
• Kamma (Karma)


  Literally 'action.' The belief in cause and effect, intentions and actions will affect the future
• Loving kindness (metta)


  A pure love which is selfless and not possessive; a key part of Buddhist ethics
• Mantra recitation


  A short sequence of words or syllables chanted repetitively as a form of meditation
• Mahayana


  Literally "Greater Vehicle"; this school of Buddhism focuses on achieving enlightenment for the sake of all beings (Bodhisattva). It is the main school of Buddhism in China, Tibet and Japan
• Malas


  Strings of beads used as a prayer aid
• Mental formations


  The fourth of the Five Aggregates; mental activities which lead a person to actions and produce kamma (karma)
• Meditation


  A spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness; one of the Mahayanan six perfections, and part of the Eightfold Path (Samadhi)
• Monasteries (viharas)


  Buildings that house monks and nuns. They may also have shrines, Buddha rupas, and spaces for study, as well as accommodation.
• Morality


  Principles or beliefs about what is right and wrong. One of the Mahayanan six perfections; includes following the Five Moral Precepts
• Nibbana / Nirvana


  Literally 'blowing' out. The belief that individuals can achieve a state of perfect peace where they experience liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
• Parinirvana Day - A festival in Mahayana Buddhism that celebrates the death of the Buddha and his attainment of final nibbana.


  15th February
• Patience


  Being able to tolerate delay or problems without becoming agitated or anxious. One of the Mahayanan six perfections.
• Perception


  The third of the Five Aggregates. The ability to distinguish between different objects that we experience through our senses; it also enables memory.
• Puja / devotional ritual


  The name given to ceremonies that involve meditation, prayer and offerings.
• Pure Land


  This is the dominant form of Buddhism in Japan and focuses on chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha.
• Rebirth


  This refers to the belief that when a being dies they are reborn. This process depends on kamma, and will continue until nibbana is attained.
• Retreats


  Temporarily leaving one's everyday life and going to special places to aid spiritual development.
• Samatha


  Concentration and tranquility. A method of meditation; a state of calmness.