Glossary - Buddhist Terms

He is known as “The Immovable One”. As the story goes, a monk wanted to reside in the Eastern lands so he vowed to rid himself of all ill will and hatred. He sat in utter stillness until he had freed himself of these defilements and became Akshobhya Buddha.

The light of this buddha shines everywhere, unlimited by conditions, whose name means "immeasurable light". Amida is an abbreviation of Amitabha and is the usual form used in Japan. Amida's wisdom is gentle and all-accepting, and is associated with the realm of the Pure Land.

One of the five wisdom buddhas associated with the accomplishment of the Buddhist path and the destruction of the poison of envy. His name means "unfailing Accomplishment".

Impermanence

Unsurpassable, complete, perfect enlightenment

Atman Literally "self", sometimes "ego". In Buddhism the predominant teaching is the negating doctrine of anatman, that there is no permanent, persisting atman and that belief in a separate self is the source of suffering

Ignorance or delusion

Usually considered an intermediate state between life and death, but literally means "in between". The Tibetans believe every part of our life is a bardo state.

Refers to Buddhist monk in the Theravada tradition. Literally means “Venerable Sir”

Becoming, being, existing. The 10th link in the Pratilya-samutpada

"Seed". A metaphor for the origin or cause of things, used in the teachings of the Yogacara school

Awakening or Enlightenment

The Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa) tree under which Gautama reached enlightenment

One with the beneficent intention to awaken in order to liberate all other sentient beings from suffering

The Buddha Siddhartha Gautama - literally means “awake”

The intrinsic awakened nature, concealed within all sentient beings

Female archetype representing awakened state. Often depicted naked to represent raw and wrathful nature of reality

Giving. Also refers to the practice of cultivating generosity

see Pratityasamutpada

Has many subtle meanings in Buddhist. May refer to the doctrinal teachings but also refers to nature of phenomenal world

New name given to someone taking Jukai precepts in public ceremony.

a versified Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha

in Zen, term for person sounding a large bell (katsu) during a Zen Buddhist service

A private, face-to-face meeting between a Zen teacher and student.

Suffering, dissatisfaction

1. Truth of Dukkha 2. Truth of the origin of Dukkha 3. Truth of the Cessation of Dukkha 4. The Eightfold Path that leads out of suffering.

a greeting with the palms together and fingers pointing upwards in prayer position. It expresses greeting, request, thankfulness, reverence, and prayer.

In Zen Monasteries and Zen Centers, a wooden board struck announcing various events.

Literally "small vehicle". A term by Mahayana Buddhists for a school of Buddhism concerned with the achievement of Nirvana as a Sravakabuddha or a Pratyekabuddha.

Literally means "bringer of joy to the assmebly". In Zen the Ino is the suipervisor of the buddha hall that leads the chanting of sutras.

In Zen, the attendant to the officiant during a Zen Buddhist service.

Public ceremony wherein a lay student receive Buddhist precepts from a Preceptor.

Literally means "action". The law of cause and effect in Buddhism.

In Zen has the same meaning as satori, but is often used for an initial awakening experience.

Patience. The second of the six.ten paramitas.

Zen walking meditation

In Chinese literally means a "public case". Stories, questions Zen students study and present to Zen Master that require them to go past conceptual or intellectual understanding alone.

"Earth Store", one of the eight great bohdhisattvas

Affliction. Implication of something small in beginning that gets blown way out of proportion.

In Zen, a flattened stick used to strike shoulders of meditators as a means of encouragement.

The official record of the historical descent of dharma teachings from one teacher to another.

A Buddhist philosophical school, founded by Nagarjuna.

A method of direct introduction to the understanding of sunyata, of samsara, and that the two are inseparable.

Literally means "great vehicle", A major branch of Buddhism practiced in Asia. Primary archetype is the bodhisattva the the beneficent aspiration to save all sentient beings.

The Buddha of the future epoch

In Zen, any unusual experience that distracts one from continual zazen meditation practice.

A spiritual and ritual symbol representing the totality of reality

A chant used as a spiritual aid consisting of seed syllables (sacred sounds)

LovingKindness

The practice of a balanced and harmonious life, lived with moderation, avoiding extreme views and lifestyle choices

A practice whereby a person is intentionally aware of his or her experience in a manner that is embodied and non-judgmental.

A wooden drum carved from one piece, usually in the form of fish, used in Zen Buddhist services to keep time while chanting a sutra.

A term showing reverence or devotion. Often placed in front of the name of an object of veneration.

Extinction or extinguish; enlightenment in Buddhist tradition

Literally "Reaching the other shore" often translated as "perfection".

Wisdom, insight

"Dependent origination"the view that no phenomenon exists without depending on other phenomena or conditions contingent with it.

Zen Lineage named for master Linji Yixuan that emphasizes koan study.

A Zen meditation retreat, held in December that coincides with dat of Buddha's enlightenment.

Title for a Zen Master, in White Plun Lineage also means person has receive Inka, the final seal of approval from their teacher.

One-pointed attention meditation. Term means "peaceful dwelling".

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A work practice done as part of Zen training.

A Buddhist community of practitioners. May be lay or monastic. Term literally means “monk”.

A Japanese term for enlightenment

A Zen Buddhist meditation retreat. Literally means "to unify the heart/mind."

A meditation commonly practiced in the Zen Soto school that means "just sitting".

Emptiness, Boundlessness, Vastness, Interbeing

Morals, ethics, precepts

Zen sect emphacizing shikantaza.

The eight consciousness taught in Yogacara Buddhism. Often referred to as the "store-house consciousness."

Scriptures in Buddhism that are read and chanted. Literally means "thread"

Second Noble Truth of craving or desire

A ma,e for Buddha. Literally means “thus-gone-one”

Womb of Buddha, seed of Buddha-nature.

A Dharma Talk by a Zen Master.

The head cook at a Zen Center/Temple.

Liberally "Words of the Elders". A more respectful way to speak of Hinayana Buddhism.

Skillful/expedient means.

Third major branch of Buddhism, along with Hinayana and Mahayana schools.

Usually translated as "insight". May also refer to a style of mindfulness meditation called "open-awareness" practice.