Buddhist Traditions
Dharma, sangha, the Four Noble Truths, and Buddhist meditation practices.
Terms in This Category
77 termsBuddha
The "Awakened One"—Siddhartha Gautama who attained enlightenment and founded Buddhism.
Sangha
The community of Buddhist practitioners—one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism.
Four Noble Truths
The foundation of Buddhist teaching: suffering exists, has a cause, can end, and there is a path to end it.
Noble Eightfold Path
The Buddhist path to liberation: right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration.
Dukkha
Suffering or dissatisfaction—the First Noble Truth recognizing life's inherent unsatisfactoriness.
Anicca
Impermanence—the Buddhist teaching that all conditioned phenomena are constantly changing.
Anatta
Non-self—the teaching that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.
Nirvana
The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice—liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
Bodhisattva
One who seeks enlightenment for the benefit of all beings—postponing final liberation to help others.
Karuna
Compassion—one of the four Brahma Viharas, the wish for all beings to be free from suffering.
Mudita
Sympathetic joy—rejoicing in others' happiness and success without envy.
Upekkha
Equanimity—a balanced, non-reactive mind that remains stable through pleasure and pain.
Jhana
Deep meditative absorptions—progressive states of concentration and tranquility.
Zazen
Seated Zen meditation—the core practice of Zen Buddhism emphasizing "just sitting."
Koan
A paradoxical riddle used in Zen to provoke insight beyond logical thinking.
Sutra
Buddhist scriptures recording the Buddha's teachings and discourses.
Theravada
The "Way of the Elders"—the oldest surviving Buddhist school, predominant in Southeast Asia.
Mahayana
The "Great Vehicle"—Buddhist tradition emphasizing the bodhisattva path and universal liberation.
Vajrayana
The "Diamond Vehicle"—Tibetan Buddhism incorporating tantric practices and rituals.
Tonglen
Tibetan practice of "giving and receiving"—breathing in suffering, breathing out compassion.
Bodhicitta
The awakening mind—the altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for all beings.
Prajna
Transcendent wisdom—direct insight into the nature of reality.
Karuna
Compassion—the wish for all beings to be free from suffering.
Upaya
Skillful means—adapting teachings and methods to benefit different beings.
Samadhi
Meditative absorption—deep states of concentration and oneness.
Jhana
Meditative absorption states—progressive levels of concentration and bliss.
Sila
Ethical conduct—virtuous behavior as the foundation of the path.
Mudita
Sympathetic joy—rejoicing in the happiness and success of others.
Upekkha
Equanimity—balanced, non-reactive awareness to all experiences.
Anicca
Impermanence—the truth that all conditioned phenomena arise and pass away.
Anatta
Non-self—the absence of a permanent, unchanging self or soul.
Dukkha
Suffering or unsatisfactoriness—the first noble truth of Buddhism.
Tanha
Craving or thirst—the cause of suffering according to the second noble truth.
Nirodha
Cessation—the end of suffering described in the third noble truth.
Magga
The path—the eightfold path to the cessation of suffering.
Skandha
The five aggregates—form, sensation, perception, formation, consciousness.
Paramita
Perfections—the six transcendent virtues cultivated on the bodhisattva path.
Sutra
Buddhist scripture—discourses of the Buddha or commentary on teachings.
Theravada
The School of the Elders—the oldest surviving Buddhist tradition.
Mahayana
The Great Vehicle—emphasizing the bodhisattva path for all beings.
Vajrayana
The Diamond Vehicle—Tibetan tantric Buddhism with rapid transformation methods.
Bardo
Intermediate state—transitions between death and rebirth or between any states.
Vipassana
Insight meditation observing the nature of reality.
Zen Buddhism
Japanese school emphasizing meditation and direct insight.
Theravada Buddhism
Oldest Buddhist school following early teachings.
Mahayana Buddhism
Great Vehicle emphasizing compassion and bodhisattva path.
Vajrayana Buddhism
Diamond Vehicle using tantric methods for awakening.
Tibetan Buddhism
Unique Buddhist tradition combining sutra and tantra.
Zazen
Seated Zen meditation practice facing the wall.
Kinhin
Walking meditation between periods of zazen.
Sesshin
Intensive Zen meditation retreat lasting several days.
Koan
Paradoxical Zen riddle transcending rational mind.
Satori
Sudden enlightenment experience in Zen tradition.
Nirvana
Ultimate liberation—cessation of suffering and rebirth.
Bodhisattva
Enlightened being postponing nirvana to help others.
Buddha Nature
Innate awakened potential within all beings.
Four Noble Truths
Core Buddhist teaching on suffering and its cessation.
Eightfold Path
Eight practices leading to liberation and enlightenment.
Sangha
Buddhist community of practitioners.
Dharma
Buddha's teachings and universal truth.
Sutra
Buddhist scripture containing Buddha's discourses.
Metta
Loving-kindness meditation cultivating universal love.
Karuna
Compassion—the wish for all beings to be free from suffering.
Mudita
Sympathetic joy—happiness at others' success.
Upekkha
Equanimity—balanced mind in all circumstances.
Anapanasati
Mindfulness of breathing meditation practice.
Satipatthana
Four foundations of mindfulness practice.
Jhana
Deep meditative absorption states.
Samadhi (Buddhism)
Concentration and mental unification in meditation.
Pali Canon
Oldest complete collection of Buddhist texts.
Tonglen
Tibetan practice of giving and taking meditation.
Dzogchen
Great Perfection—highest teaching in Tibetan Buddhism.
Mahamudra
Great Seal—meditation on the nature of mind.
Thangka
Tibetan Buddhist painted scroll for meditation.
Mandala
Sacred geometric diagram representing the cosmos.
Stupa
Buddhist monument containing sacred relics.
Bodhi Tree
Tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
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