Several Buddhist terms and concepts lack direct translations into English that cover the breadth of the original term. Below are given a number of important Buddhist terms, short definitions, and the languages in which they appear. In this list, an attempt has been made to organize terms by their original form and give translations and synonyms in other languages below the definition.
A difficult term to define. Often refers to the doctrines and teachings of the faith, but it may have broader uses. Also, it is an important technical term meaning something like “phenomenological constituent.” This leads to the potential for confusion, puns, and double entendres, as the latter meaning often has negative connotations.
Sanskrit; Pāli;: dhamma
法 Cn: fă; Jp: hō
dhammavinaya
The dharma and vinaya (roughly "doctrine and discipline") considered together. This term essentially means the whole teachings of Buddhism as taught to monks.
In Zen, a term for person sounding the bell that marks the beginning and end of Zazen
Japanese
dokusan
A private interview between a Zen student and his master. It is an important element in the Zen training, as it provides an opportunity for the student to discuss problems in his practice and to demonstrate his understanding.
The schools of Buddhism which arose in India after the time of the historical Buddha but before the time of the Mahāyāna, and which the Mahāyāna later criticized. These are sometimes identified as "Hīnayāna" by later schools. Also called śravakayāna. The Theravada is the only surviving of what are usually numbered the eighteen early schools (though it's not always clear which precise sects are meant).
A position used for greeting, with the palms together and fingers pointing upwards in prayer position. It is used in the Zen tradition, but also common in many cultures in the East. It expresses greeting, request, thankfulness, reverence and prayer. Also a mudra or inkei of Japanese Shingon.
Japanese: 合掌 ; Sanskrit: Anjali
gongan
Lit. "Public case." A meditative method developed in the Chan/Seon/Zen traditions, generally consisting of a problem that defies solution by means of rational thought
In Zen, a wooden drum carved from one piece, usually in the form of a fish.
Japanese
Moksha
Liberation
Sanskrit
Mondo
In Zen, a short dialogue between teacher and student.
Japanese
Mappo
末法 Cn.: ??, Kr.: ??, Jp.: mappō. A time period supposed to begin 2,000 years after Sakyamuni Buddha's passing and last for "10,000 years and into eternity"; follows the two 1,000-year periods of 正法 Jp.: shōbō and 像法 Jp.: zōhō.
Pali: An exclamation showing reverance; devotion. Often placed in front of the name of an object of veneration, e.g., a Buddha's name (Namo Amitabha , Jp.: Namu Amida Butsu), Three Jewels (Namu Sambō), or a sutra (Nam-Myōhō-Renge-Kyō), and used to express devotion to it. Defined in Sino-Japanese as 帰命 kimyō: to base one's life upon, to devote (or submit) one's life to.
A term used in Japan to address a monk of the Zen Buddhist tradition. Originally reserved for high ranking monks, it has since been appropriated for everyday use when addressing any male member of the Zen clergy.
Japanese
oryoki
Zen eating ceremony
Japanese
P
paramārtha
Absolute as opposed to merely conventional truth. See also: saṃv{{subst:r}}ti.
Zen sect emphasizing sudden enlightenment and koan study. Named for master Linji.
Japanese; Chinese: Linji
Rohatsu (臘八)
A day marking the attainment of Nirvana by Buddha; celebrated on the 8th day either of December or of the 12th month of the lunar calendar. According to the lunar calendar, the next Rohatsu will be January 17, 2005.
Japanese
Roshi
Zen title
Japanese
S
samanera /shramanera
A male novice monk, who, after a year or until the ripe age of twenty, will be considered for the higher Bhikkhu ordination.
The five constituent elements into which an individual is analyzed. These are rūpa, "form", saṃjñā, "cognition", vedanā, "perception", *saṃskāras, "mental formations", *vijñāna, "consciousness".
Sanskrit; Pāli: khandha
sesshin
A Zen retreat where practitioners meditate, eat and work together for several days.
The "Thus-Come One" or “Thus-Gone One”; One of the Buddha's ten epithets
Sanskrit; 如来 Jp: nyorai
Tathagatagarbha
Buddha-nature or the seed of enlightenment
Sanskrit
teisho
A presentation by a Zen master during a sesshin. Rather than an explanation or exposition in the traditional sense, it is intended as a demonstration of Zen realisation.
Japanese
Tenzo
In Zen, the head cook for a sesshin
Japanese
Three poisons
The three primary causes of unskillful action or creation of "negative" karma:
Greed or selfish desire (Sanskrit trsna; Jp: 貪 ton)
Expedient or expedient means; i.e., something useful (for elevating a believer to a higher level of understanding) though not necessarily ultimately true. Originally used as a polemical device against other schools—calling them “merely” expedient, lacking in ultimate truth. Later sometimes used against ones own school as well, to prevent students form forming attachments to doctrines.
Usually translated as “Insight” (lit. from √vis-drś, to “see apart”) meditation, most associated with the Theravada tradition, but present throughout Buddhism as an evolved tradition. Distinguished from śamatha meditation.
