Sanskrit

An example of Buddhist Sanskrit script

Sanskrit: An ancient Indian language in which the Tripitaka (scriptures) of Mahayana Buddhism were recorded; two more modern collections of these texts now exist in Chinese & Tibetan. See Pali

Pali

An example of Buddhist Pali script

Pali: An ancient Indian language in which the Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism is recorded, closely related to Sanskrit

Metta

The Dalai Lama promotes & exudes kindness

Metta (Pali; maitri in Sanskrit): ‘kindness’, ‘loving-kindness’ or ‘goodwill’, highly regarded by Buddhists, and cultivated in both meditation & everyday activities.

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What it is to be Buddhist? The most basic answer is simply to be kind, as suggested by the Dalai Lama. Be kind to others and be kind to ourselves. Be kind to humans and animals, for we all have the capacity to suffer, but also the ability to alleviate some of that suffering. Be patient, and don’t listen to gossip nor spread it; forgive as much as you can and don’t wish others harm; see that all wish for happiness and safety – just as you do. If we can do this, then we can claim to be Buddhist, not only in our convictions but also in our actions, which is surely where the essence of being Buddhist is found. And, in doing this, we move closer to all beings, human or otherwise, Buddhist or otherwise. Being Buddhist means being kind.

Nirvana

Traditional image of Buddha realising nirvana

Nirvana (Sanskrit; Nibbana in Pali): ‘Extinction’ (of greed, hatred and delusion); equals Bodhi, or ‘enlightenment’ (hence, buddha, or 'enlightened one'); an awakening to a deeper understanding of life that ends suffering. See satori

Satori

Traditional Japanese calligraphy for satori

Satori (Japanese): 'Understanding'. An awakening to reality in the present moment. Degrees of satori are recognized in Zen Buddhism that include Nirvana (Daigo in Japanese). See Nirvana

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Without satori, according to the great Japanese author D.T. Suzuki, there is no Zen. In other words, it is the raison d'être for practicing Zen Buddhism, and as such is the focus of so many wonderful Zen stories, many promoted in the books of Dr Suzuki. Furthermore, satori is not the sole possession of Zen Buddhists, for it is non-sectarian, and although described in different ways, it is the heart of all Buddhist teachings. Indeed, as it is wholly natural, it is found in teachings outside Buddhism, such as those of D.E. Harding, the late British 'headless' philosopher. If we can have but a glimpse of satori, we are truly fortunate, and if lived from, this vision frees us from the prison of self.

The first satori, upon reading the words of D.T. Suzuki:

reading this

words merge with mind

satori

The second satori, when looking out of a window:

wind-blown bag

catches awareness

satori

The third satori, using the methods of D.E. Harding:

pointing here

no-one can be found

satori

For more on D.T. Suzuki, please go here

For more on D.E. Harding, please click here

Shakyamuni

A statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Hong Kong

Shakyamuni (Sanskrit/Pali): ‘Sage of the Shakyas’; a title of the historical Buddha (Shakya being his clan name). See Buddha

Nembutsu

Chinese / Japanese script of the nembutsu

Nembutsu (Japanese; Nienfo (Chinese): 'Recitation of Buddha'. The practice of reciting the phrase Homage to Amitabha Buddha, which is Namo Amituofo in Chinese & Namu Amida Butsu in Japanese. This is done to concentrate & purify the mind, either to earn rebirth in Amitabha's heaven, or to realize Bodhi here and now. See Amitabha

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Sitting in a quiet room – closed eyes may help in concentration here – say “Namu Amida Butsu’ (the final u is usually unvoiced), paying attention to the silence in which the words arise. This silence is the very emptiness that Buddhism teaches about, and is also the essence of all buddhas, including Amitabha. If we are alert to this moment as we continue to chant the Nembutsu, we become aware of the fact that the words are coming out of this peaceful silence, and that any sense of individual self that remains is of the world, like the chanting, whereas the Void-Silence is that out of which these things come.

Zen

Traditional Japanese calligraphy for Zen

Zen (Japanese): 'absorption' or meditation; also indicates the reality that lies beyond words and concepts, and which Buddhists seek to discover; Chan in Chinese. See Dharma.

Amitabha

A statue of Amitabha Buddha in Kamakura, Japan

Amitabha  (Sanskrit; Amituofo in Chinese, Amida in Japanese): The ‘Buddha of Infinite Light’, whose name is repeated all over the Far East in the hope of being reborn in his ‘Western Paradise’; in Chinese Zen, repetition of his name can lead to concentrative states of mind and enlightenment. See Buddha

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In Japan, the common ways to worship Amitabha are through rituals and ceremonies and the nembutsu (‘remembrance of the Buddha’) where the devotee chants ‘Namu Amida Butsu’ (‘Homage to Amitabha Buddha’). Different sects of Pure Land Buddhism advise their practitioners in various ways of doing this, some recommending several thousand recitations per day, and others stating that just one heartfelt utterance of the nembutsu is enough to be reborn in the Pure Land. Once there, it is agreed that Amitabha’s infinite light will shine peaceful wisdom on his devotees, each of whom will be sat atop a giant lotus flower, meditating their way to enlightenment.

Sangha

Thai Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus

Sangha (Sanskrit/Pali): 

1) ‘Community’ or order; 

2) bhikshu-sangha (Sanskrit; bhikkhu-sangha in Pali): order of Buddhist monks; 

3) bhikshuni-sangha (Sanskrit; bhikkhuni-sangha in Pali): order of Buddhist nuns; 
3) ariya-sangha (Pali; arya-sangha in Sanskrit): 'community of noble ones' - all enlightened ones

4) general Buddhist community (In some modern forms of          Buddhism)

Dharma

A Tibetan Buddhist scroll containing Buddhist teachings

Dharma (Sanskrit; Dhamma in Pali): 
1) Ultimate reality, or 'the-way-things-are';
2) Buddhist teachings;
3) With a small d means any thing or quality of a thing.

Buddha

A statue representing the historical Buddha in Sri Lanka

Buddha (Sanskrit/Pali):

1) ‘The Enlightened One’, literally ‘The Awakened One’;

2) The historical Buddha, known as Gautama Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Tathagata, or simply the Buddha;

3) The primordial reality that lies beneath apparent phenomena (in Mahayana Buddhism, Buddha equals the unconditioned Dharma or ‘buddha nature’);

4) Any of the enlightened teachers that founded Buddhism in the distant past;

5) A celestial (or mythological) enlightened one such as Amitabha.