Buddhism Vocab

Buddhism Vocabulary

Dukkha-all living things are suffering, temporary and imperfect. It literally means the suffering of all things that are conditioned/manipulated. The things that cause suffering are the stress of pain, the stress of fabrication, and the stress of change. The concept of Dukkha is also the first noble truth.


Tanha-excessive cravings for desire of things that can’t be attained. This is the nature of humans that we must overcome through following the tenets of Buddhism.

Anicca-impermanence, nothing lasts forever. The inevitable fate of all matter. Humans rely on the belief that things last forever and suffering arises as a result of this expectation when these materials perish.

Anatta-a temporary ego. there is no permanent “self” that we think of as our ego, it is a temporary creation. This is our mind as we see ourselves, we often fail to see the bigger picture and that our ego is not really who we are.

Nirvana- a mental state that is empty of self, and therefore there is no suffering, escaping the cycle of birth and death. There is therefore no craving. By following the eightfold path, one can attain Nirvana.

Rhat- In Theravada Buddhism, someone who has reached Englightenment, including the Buddha. There are different types of rhat such as Sammasambuddha, one who discovered the truth on his own and teaches the path to others, Paccekabuddha, those who discover the truth on their own but cannot teach the path to others, and Savakabuddha, those who receive the truth from a Sammasambuddha.


Samsara- literally “journeying” the eightfold path leads from Samsara to Nirvana. The cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Sometimes described as the opposite of Nirvana. In Mahayana Buddhism, Samsara and Nirvana are mental states. In some Buddhist beliefs, the true nature of the world is both Samsara and Nirvana together.

Buddha- commonly used to mean the first Buddha (Siddhartha Guatama), but now is meant to be a teacher who helps you on the path to enlightenment.
Siddhartha Guatama-grew up as a Hindu and experienced the extremes in life of richness and desire and the sickness, death and poverty. He developed Buddhism and achieved enlightenment. However, after he developed the religion, he didn’t want followers to worship him as God. He believed followers should focus on attaining enlightenment on their own.

Bodhissata- the Buddha-to-be. The Dalai Lama is the bodhissata of compassion. These bodhissatas must still find their way on the path to Enlghtenment like anyone else. However, their fate is still to become a Buddha. Through successive births these Bodhissatas will eventually become Buddhas.

Sangha- a group of Buddhists, can be small or mean the entire community of Buddhists worldwide and anything in between. It helps people who are hurt and confused who choose to turn to Buddhism because other people will be in the same situation. It is beneficial for these people to talk and sort out their problems together. It is progressive in sharing wisdom and knowledge of life. By opening yourself and helping others, you can let go of selfishness and ego.

Dhamma-the law and order of the universe. It also refers to the teachings of the Buddha. Dhamma is the way of life that cannot be changed and is eternal.

Bhavana-generally means development. Usually combined with other words like “citta-bhavana” development of mind. “metta-bhavana” development of lovingkindness. Everything eminates from the mind, therefore control of the mind is the first step in action

Karuna-active sympathy and compassion towards others. In Theravada Buddhism, it is good for one to dwell in a state of compassion because it leads to happiness and cleanses the mind of suffering and worry.

Maya-illusion of the world. Illusion that our emotions are our reality and that is all that matters. To be able to be easily emotionally swayed and hang everything off of events in our lives.

Upaya-skillful means or methods to attain liberation from maya and reach Enlightenment. This is a broad expression and encompasses all Buddhist teachings

Lama- a Buddhist spiritual leader, in Hinduism this is known as a guru. For example, the Dalai Lama is the Buddha of compassion. Sprul-sku lamas are reincarnated lamas who have automatically earned their respect, as opposed to others who have earned respect from their great spiritual development.

Mudras-certain hand gestures used in images of Buddha that represent different meanings. For example Abhaya Mudra is like a cupped hand and means “do not fear”

Three Jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
-these are the common required beliefs between all Buddhist sects.
Buddha- One must learn from the actions of Siddhartha Guatama on his path to attaining Englightenment
Dharma- Learning spiritual direction from Buddhist texts
Sangha-the worldwide community of Buddhists that support one another on their journey to Enlightenment on the Eightfold path

Buddha- take refuge in what Siddhartha discovered and learned through his teachings, but not through him. Anyone can be a Buddha when they achieve englightenment
Dharma-teachings passed on by Siddhartha, the fundamental nature of reality
Sangha-the entire community of Buddhists who support each other in their religious journeys

Theravada Buddhism-in South East Asia. “way of the elders” because it is the oldest of the Buddhist sects. This is the original form of Buddhism focused on the individual and serious meditation and practice were required. This form of Buddhism didn’t accomadate societies as a whole and set almost unattainable standards, so Mahayana Buddhism was developed for the everyday person to participate in and be more suited to meet the goals set in Mahayana Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism- in East Asia. “the great vehicle” there are many subsects. It is called “the great vehicle” because it branched off of Theravada Buddhism to create a more universal and achievable religion. In Mahayana Buddhism, there are certain terms for someone who has attained a higher state of consciousness and has reached a level closer to Enlightenment, rather than only one end goal of Enlightenment that you have either reached or not. In general, Mahayana Buddhism added a “gray scale” in between Theravada’s black and white.

Mandala-artwork made of natural materials that symbolizes anyita, the impermanence of life, when it is wiped away

Eightfold Path
-panna: a type of wisdom that must be discovered and can not be taught. Once one has learned this type of wisdom, one has achieved Englightenment.
-Sila- moral conduct and correct behavior to promote peaceful existence in communities. This contributes to “right action”
-Samadhi (effort)-one must demonstrate genuine interest in pursuing Buddhism as a way of living and with the end goal of achieving a state of no desire

Four Noble Truths
Life is suffering. Dukkha. This must first be accepted as truth to proceed
We cause our suffering. Tanha. Excessive craving and desire causes our suffering
We can end our suffering. Through
Through the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold path is a set of steps one must follow to achieve Enlightenment. The path is composed of:

Wisdom:
1. Right View
2. Right Intention

Ethical Conduct:
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood

Mental Development:
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration