Glossary

A

abusing the Right Dharma: Disparaging the true Buddhist teachings, particularly the Mahayana teachings. See also Mhayana; Right Dharma.

Adityasambhava ("Sunrise"): The name of a Buddha in the North

affliction (klesa): A mental function that disturbs and pollutes the mind and body. See also three defilements.

Ajatasatru: The son of King Bimbisara and Queen Vaidehi; he imprisoned his father and left him to die in jail, imprisoned his mother, and usurped the throne of Magadha. Along with the monk Devadatta, under whose influence he committed these evil acts, he appears in some sutras as the archetypal evil person who becomes the object of the Buddha's compassion, He later repented and became a disciple of the Buddha. See also Bimbisara; Devadatta; Magadha; Vaidehi

Aksobhya ("Immovable"): The name of a Buddha in the East

Amida. See Amitabha

Amitabha ("Infinite Light"; Japan: Amida): The name of a transcendent Buddha who dwells in the Pure Land, from the Sanskrit amita ("infinite"); "Infinite Light" symbolizes infinite wisdom. Also known as Amitayus ("Infinite Life"), which symbolizes infinite compassion. Amitabha/Amida is one of the most popular Buddhas and is mentioned in more than two hundred sutras, of which the Larger Sutra is the most important, as one of the canonical texts of Pure Land Buddhism in China and Japan. Amitabha began his spiritual career a a mendicant called Dharmakara, who made Forty-eight Vows and performed various bodhisattva practices to fulfill them. After many eons, his vows were fulfilled and he became the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. His land is called Sukhavati, "Land of Utmost Bliss", also known as the Pure Land and the Western Paradise. For purposes of meditative practice, the Pure Land sutras describe Amitabha's land as being in the West. As promised in the Eighteenth Vow, those who have joyful faith and recite his Name, a practice called the nembutsu, are assured of rebirth in the Pure Land. The tradition of Buddhism centering around worship of Amitabha arose in India and further developed in China and Japan. He is thus the principal Buddha in the Jodo, Shin and other Pure Land schools. See also Dharmakaras; Forty0eight Vows; Name; Pure Land; Pure land school.

Amitadhvaja ("Immeasurable Banner"): The name of Buddha in the West

Amitaketu ("Immeasurable Ensign"): The name of a Buddha in the West

Amitayus. See Amitabha

Anada ("Happiness" or "Joy"): Sakyamuni's cousin, close disciple and personal attendant, renowed for his ability to recite all Buddha's teaching from memory. See also Sakyamuni

Anantavirya ("Limitless Effort"): The name of a Buddha in the South

Anathapindada ("Giver of Food to the Poor"): Another name of Sudatta, a wealthy merchant of Sravasti who purchased the Jeta Grove and built a monastery there for the Buddha and his Sangha. See also Sravasti.

Aniruddha ("Unobstructed"): One of the ten great disciples of the Buddha, renowned for his divine sight.

Areiskandha ("Flaming Shoulder"): The name of a Buddha in the North.

arhat ("worthy one"): A saint, one who has completely eradicated the evil passions and attained liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara); the highest of the four stages of spiritual attainment in the Hinayana. When capitalized, the term is one of the ten epithets for a Buddha. See also evil passions; Hinayana; ten epithets for a Buddha.

aspiration for enlightenment: The mind of enlightenment (bodhicitta), the altruistic aspiration of the bodhisattva to attain enlightenment (bodhi) and realize liberation in order to help other sentient beings toward liberation. See also bodhisattva; enlightenment.

asura: A class of demigods; a fighting spirit; one of the eight kinds of superhuman beings that protect Buddhism. See also eight kinds of superhuman beings.

Asvajit ("Gaining Horses"): One of the five earliest disciples of Buddha.

Auspicious Kalpa: The present cosmic period, in which a thousand Buddhas are believed to appear.

Avalokitesvara ("Lord of Beholding"): The name of a great bodhisattva who represents Amitabha's great compassion. One of the two attendant bodhisattvas of Amitabha, who frequently appears in a triad with Avalokitesvara on his left and Mahasthamaprapta on his right. See also Amitabha; bodhisattva; great compassion; Mahasthamaprapta.

B

Bhadrajit ("Gaining Happiness"): One of the five earliest disciples of Buddha.

Bhadrapala ("Gracious Protector"): The foremost of the sixteen lay bodhisattvas.

bhiksu: A fully ordained Buddhist monk.

Bimbisara: The fifth king of the Saisnaga dynasty in Magadha and a follower of the Buddha. In his later years, he was imprisoned by his son Ajatasatru and died in confinement. See also Ajatasatru; Magadha.

birth and death: See samsara.

birth by transformation: A form of birth in the Pure Land attained by aspirants who sincerely entrust themselves to Amitabha; they are instantaneously born there and attain fully physical maturity. See also birth in the embryonic state.

birth in the embryonic state: A form of birth in the Pure Land attained by devotees who cultivate merit by good acts but who do not entirely entrust themselves to Amitabha; at death they are reborn in lotus buds in the Pure Land and remain there for five hundred years without being able to see or hear the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

bodhi. See enlightenment

bodhicitta. See aspiration for enlightenment.

bodhisattva ("enlightenment being"): The spiritual ideal of the Mahayana, one who cultivates wisdom, accumulates merit by performing the practice of six paramitas, and attains enlightenment for the sake of all beings. Upon completion of all the bodhisattva practices and stages, the bodhisattva achieves Buddhahood but vows to refrain from entering nirvana until all beings are liberated. Capitalized, the term refers to Sakyamuni before his enlightenment. See also bodhisattva stages; buddhabood; enlightenment; Mahayana; six paramitas.

bodhisattva stages (bhumis): A series of spiritual stages that must be accomplished by a vows, culminating in the attainment of Buddhahood. In these stages, one is expected to perform various practices for innumerable eons over many lifetimes. Ten stages were established in Indian Buddhism; Chinese Buddhists later developed a system of fifty-two stages. See also bodhisattva; stage of becoming a Buddha after one more life; stage of joy; stage of non-retrogression.

Bodhi tree: The tree beneath which Sakyamuni sat in contemplation and attained enlightenment. See also contemplation; enlightenment; Sakyamuni

Boundless Light: 1) One of the twelve kinds of light of Amitabha; 2) another name for Mahasthamaprapta. See also Amitabha; Mahasthamaprapta

Brahma: Originally, the creator god in Hinduism, incorporated into Buddhism as a tutelary god.

Brahmaghosa ("Brahma;s Voice): The name of a Buddha in the zenith.

Brahma Heaven: The heaven of the world form. See also three worlds.

Budhha ("Awakened One"): As a proper noun this refers to Sakyamuni; in general use, it refers to any fully enlightened person or any of a number of transce3ndent beings who embody and represent ultimate truth. See also Sakyamuni; ultimate truth.

Buddha-Dharma. See Right Dharma

Buddhahood: The state of becoming a Buddha, the goal of the bodhisattva. See also bodhisattva.

buddha-garland samadhi: The Samadhi entered into by Samantabhadra before teaching the Dharma., See also Samadhi; Samantabhadra.

buddha-nature: The potentiality for Buddhahood; the essential nature of a Buddha that all beings possess.

Buddha-recollection Samadhi: A state of meditative concentration (Samadhi) in which the practitioner visualizes Amitabha; also, an intensive practice of recitation of the name of Amitabha through which one attains union with him. See also Amitabha; Name; Samadhi.

C

Candraprabha ("Moonlight"): The name of one of the King Bimbisara's ministers.

Candrasuryapradipa ("Lamp of the Sun and Moon"): The name of a Buddha in the south.

Cao-Wei dynasty: The Chinese kingdom of Wei founded by Cao Cao in 216.

clear understanding of the one hundred dharmas: 1) Clear understanding of the one hundred principles of truth in the stage of joy; 2) in the Consciousness Only school, a type of wisdom in which one clearly discerns the one hundred constituent elements (dharmas) of all that exists. See also stage of joy.

compassion: Empathy with those who suffer and the desire to end the suffering of others. Compassion and wisdom are the two most important virtues in the Mahayana. See also great compassion.

Complete precepts of a monk or nun: The two hundred and fifty precepts for a fully ordained monk (bhiksu) or three hundred and forty-eight for a fully ordained nun (bhiksuni). See also precepts.

Confucianism: An ethical, religious system of China originating in the teaching of Confucius (c 551-479 B.C.E): it centers around filial duty and emphasizes the virtues of benevolence and propriety. More specifically, Confucianism teaches the five constant virtues to be followed by all people: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and sincerity. The original individualistic ethical ideal developed into a political one; Confucius sought to establish the norm of ethics fot the king. His influence was so great that the number of his disciples is said to have been three thousand. After his death, Confucian sanctuaries were built throughout China and its teachings spread far and wide in China and beyond- Confucianism formed the basic ethical norm of Korea, Vietnam and Japan. See also five virtues.

contemplation: A state of meditative concentration in which the mediator and the object of mediation become one; serene concentration. See also Samadhi

D

definitely assured stage: The stage attained by those who have absolute faith in Amitabha and are thus assured of birth in the Pure Land and attainment of Buddhahood; same as the stage of non-retrogression. See also Amitabha; Buddhahood; Pure Land; stage of non-retrogression.

deva: A god, a divine being; one of the eight kinds of superhuman beings that protect Buddhism. See also eight kinds of superhuman beings.

Devadatta ("God-given"): A cousin of the Buddha who became his disciple but later tried to murder him and assume leadership of the Sangha. Devadatta incited Prince Ajatasatru to kill his father, King Bimbisara and usurp the throne. See also Ajatasatru; Bimbisara; Sangha.

dharmai: A mystic phrase, spell or incantation.

dharma: Any phenomenon, thing, element, or attribute; the elements that make up the perceived phenomenal world.

Dharma: The truth, law; the teachings of the Buddha. See also Right Dharma.

Dharma Ending Age: The Dharma Perfect Age began with Buddha Shakyamuni's demise and lasted five hundred years, during which Enlightenment was often attained. The Dharma Semblance Age began after that and lasted one thousand years, during which Enlightenment was seldom attained. The Dharma Ending Age that we are now in began after that and will last for ten thousand years during which Enlightenment will rarely be attained.

Dharmadhara ("Holder of the Dharma"): The name of a Buddha in the nadir.

Dharmadhvaja ("Banner of the Dharma"): The name of a Buddha in the nadir.

Dharma Prince: An epithet for a bodhisattva; especially used as a title for Manjusri. See also Manjusri.

Dharma realm (dharmadhatu): The sphere of ultimate truth or reality; objects of mental conception in general; the entire universe. See also ultimate truth.

dhyana heaven: The four types of heavens of the world of form, in which those who practice meditation (dhyana) are reborn.

Dipankara ("Making Light"): the name of a past Buddha.

divine ear. See six supernatural powers.

divine eye. See six supernatural powers.

Duspradharsa ("Not to Be Assailed"): The name of a Buddha in the south.

 

E

effortless spontaneity: The ultimate state of enlightenment in which one thinks and acts in accord with the Dharma effortlessly; the nirvanic state attained by those who are reborn in the Pure Land.

eight abstinences. See eight precepts.

Eight Afflictions: Absence of embarrassment and shamefulness, and the presence of jealously, stinginess, misdeeds, drowsiness, sleep and agitation.

eight kinds of superhuman beings: Eight classes of mythical beings from Indian folklore that were incorporated into Buddhism as protectors: devas (gods), nagas (dragons), yaksas (flesh-eating demons), gandharvas (heavenly musicians), asuras (fighting sprits), garudas (giant birds), kimnaras (heavenly singers) and mahoragas (snake demons).

eight precepts: Undertaken by Buddhists for certain periods of time, they include abstaining from killing, stealing, engaging in sexual activity, using false speech and ingesting intoxicants and refraining from indulging in such idle pleasures as using perfumes, singing and dancing, wearing bodily decoration, going to dances or plays, sleeping on a raised bed and eating after noon. The first five of these constitute the five precepts. See also five precepts; precepts.

eight sufferings: As human beings, we undergo the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death. We do not attain what we seek, suffer hardships, are parted from our loved one and find ourselves in the presence of those whom we resent or even hate.

Eight Ground Bodhisattva: There are ten levels or grounds of a Bodhisattva's enlightenment, which summarize the most important steps in a Bodhisattva's path right before attaining Buddhahood. Some say it is at this level that Bodhisattvas reach the stage of Non-Regression, the level at which they will never retreat from the Bodhisattva-path.

emptiness: A central Mahayana doctrine that all phenomena (dharmas) come into existence only in dependence on causes and conditions ( pratiyasamutpada) and thus are empty of independent, inherent, and eternal selfhood. See also law of causality; Mahayana; no-self.

Encircling Adanantine Mountains: The outermost mountain range encircling this world system, made of iron. See also Mount Sumeru.

enlightenment (Bodhi): The state of the highest perfection of wisdom; the state of undefiled purity and eternal bliss. Sakyamuni's awakening under the Bodhi tree, when he realized the Dharma of suchness and the innate Buddha-nature of all beings and became a Buddha, represents the Buddhist ideal of enlightenment. See also Buddha-nature; suchness.

evil passions: (klesas): Mental functions that disturb and defile the mind and body. They are considered the cause of transmigration in samsara; by extinguishing them, one becomes an arhat. In the Mahayana, through recognizing the nonsubstantiality of the evil passions, a bodhisattva attains liberation and realizes enlightenment. See also arhat; bodhisattva; enlightenment; Mahayana; samsara.

 

F

Five Deadly Offences: Murdering one's own father, murdering one's own mother, causing a Buddha to bleed, killing a Bodhisattva or an Arhat and disrupting the unity of the Sangha.

Five Desires: Wealth, lust, fame, food-drink and sleep.

Five Guidelines: Following: 1) The Three Conditions; 2) The Principles of Harmony; 3) The Three Learnings; 4) The Six Paramitas or Principles and 5) Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's Ten Great Vows.

Five Pure Land Sutras and One Sastra: (1) The Buddha Speaks of the Infinite Life Sutra of Adornment, Purity, Equality and Enlightenment of the Mahayana School, (2) The Amitabha Sutra, (3) The Visualization Sutra, (4) "The Chapter of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva's Conduct and Vows", from the Flower Adornment Sutra (5) "The Chapter on the Perfect Complete Realization of Great Strength Bodhisattva through Buddha Name Recitation" from the Surangama Sutra and (6) Vasubandhu Bodhisattva's Report on the Way to Reaching the Pure Land.

Four Universal Vows of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: (1) Sentient beings are innumerable, I vow to help them all; (2) Affliction are inexhaustible, I vow to end them all; (3) Ways to practice are boundless, I vow to master them all; (4) Enlightenment is unsurpassable, I vow to attain it.

G

Good Fortune: Happiness, intelligence, well being, prosperity etc. The great benefits of the human and celestial realms; therefore, they are temporary and subject to birth and death.

Good roots: Good qualities or seeds sowed by a good life to be reaped later.

H

Hungry Ghost: One of the three lower realms. Hungry ghosts wander in a limbo-like state in which they can find no satisfaction for their desires, especially but not exclusively, for their hunger or thirst. One is reborn here if he or she has extreme greed.

K

Karma (Skrt): Law of Cause and Effect, results from thought, speech and behavior.

Karmic Result: The natural reward or retribution brought about by the Law of Cause and Effect (Karma).

M

Mahayana (Skrt): One of the two major branches of Buddhism. Bodhisattva path of helping all sentient beings to attain universal liberation.

Merits and Virtues: To do good things without expectation of reward, without discrimination, attachment or wandering thoughts.

Mindfulness of Buddha: Initially, the mind remembers the Buddha and does not forget. After further cultivation, one constantly contemplates the Buddha.

N

Nine Realms: All ten realms except the Buddha realm.

Non-regression: One who will never retreat from the Bodhisattva-path, some say it is not reached until the eighth of the ten grounds of a Bodhisattva.

P

Phenomena: Things, events, happenings, everything in the entire universe.

Prajna-Wisdom (Skrt): Intuitive wisdom.

Pratyekabuddha (Skrt): One who attains his enlightenment alone, independent of a teacher, with the objective of attaining Nirvana for him/her.

Precepts: Rules set up by Buddha Shakyamuni to guide his students from erroneous thoughts, speech and behavior.

Pure Land: See Western Pure Land.

Pure Mind or Purity of Mind: The mind without discrimination or attachments.

R

Retribution: Karmic punishment from erroneous thought, speech or action.

S

Saha world (Skrt): Refers to our solar system, filled with suffering and afflictions, yet gladly endured by its inhabitants.

Samadhi (Skrt): Proper enjoyment. Usually denotes the particular final stage of pure concentration and contemplation. There are many degrees and types of Samadhi.

Sangha (Skrt): Group of four or more peoples who properly practice the Buddha's teaching together, especially The Six Principles of Harmony.

Sanskrit (Skrt): Language of ancient India.

Sastra (Skrt): Commentary on sutras primarily by Bodhisattvas.

Self-Nature: Our original, true self that we still have, but is currently covered by deluded thoughts.

Sentient being: A living being that is self-aware and that can experience feeling or sensation.

Sharira (Skrt): Relics that remain after cremation indicating the person had attained some degree of purity of body and mind.

Six Paramitas or Principles: Giving, self-discipline, patience, diligence, deep concentration and wisdom.

Six Principles of Harmony: 1) Share the same viewpoints or goals. 2) Observe the same precepts. 3) Live and practice together harmoniously. 4) Not quarrel. 5) Experience the inner peace and happiness from practicing together harmoniously. 6) Share benefits harmoniously.

Six Realms: Three upper realms are heavens asuras and humans. Three lower realms are animals, hungry ghosts and hells.

Six Senses: Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and thought.

Six Sense Objects: Form, sound, scent, taste, texture and thought.

Six Sense Organs: Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, body and mind.

Sutra (Skrt): Teaching by the Buddha, initially given verbally, later complied and written down by the Buddha's students.

T

Ten Directions: North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, Northwest, above and below.

Ten Good Conducts: 1) No killing 2) No stealing 3) No sexual misconduct 4) No lying 5) No abusive language 6) No bearing tales 7) No seductive words 8) No greed 9) No anger, and 10) No ignorance.

Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva: 1) Pay respect to all Buddhas. 2) Praise "Thus Come One." 3)Make offerings extensively. 4) Repent of Karmic obstacles. 5) Be joyful over others meritorious deeds. 6) Appeal to the Buddha to turn the Dharma wheel. 7) Request the Buddha to reside in this world. 8) Constantly be a diligent follower of the Buddha's teaching. 9) Accord with all sentient beings. 10) Dedicate all merits.

Ten Realms: Six realms plus those of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Pratyekabuddhas and Sound-hearers.

Three Conditions: The First Condition includes- Being filial to one's parents, Being respectful to one's teachers and elders, Being compassionate and not killing any living beings and Following the Ten Good Conducts. The Second Condition includes- Taking the Three Refuges, Abiding by the precepts, laws and customs, and Conducting oneself in a proper and dignified manner. The Third Conditions includes- Generating the Bodhi mind, Deeply believing in the Law of Cause and Effect, Reciting and upholding Mahayana sutras and Encouraging others to advance on the path to Enlightenment.

Three Learnings: Self-discipline, deep concentration and wisdom.

Three Poisons: Greed, anger and ignorance.

Three Refuges: We take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. When we take refuge in the Buddha, we are returning from our deluded state of mind and relying upon an awakened, understanding mind. When we take refuge in the Dharma, we are returning from deviant views and relying upon proper views and understanding. When we take refuge in the Sangha, we are returning from pollution and disharmony and relying upon purity of mind and the Six Principles of Harmony.

Transliteration: To represent (letters or words) in the corresponding characters of another alphabet, so the original sound is retained.

V

Virtues. See Merits.

W

Way Place: Usually called a temple, a place where Buddhist practitioners come to practice.

Western Pure Land: World created b Buddha Amitabha. An ideal place of cultivation, those who are born there are no longer subject to reincarnation.



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