Buddhism

Sangha

"assemblage" - the Buddhist community of monks and nuns; one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism.

Four Noble Truths

1) All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow. 2) The cause of suffering is nonvirtue, or negative deeds and mindsets such as hated and desire. 3) The only cure for suffering is to overcome nonvirture. 4) The way to overcome nonvirtue is to follow the Eightfold Path

Three Jewels

they are the 3 things Buddhists take refuge in. 1) the Buddha, 2) the Dharma (teachings of Buddha) 3) The Shanha- community of Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as the common people.

Asceticism

A way of living, often out of religious motivation, that is marked by self-denial, self-discipline, and austerity.

Nirvana

An ideal state of happiness and peace

Vesak

Buddhism-Buddhist festival that celebrates the Buddha's enlightenment for Mahayana, and the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death for Theravada Buddhists.

Mudras

Choreographed hand movements used in the rituals of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Tibetan Buddhism

Dalai Lama

Mahayana

Encompasses a variety of forms, including those that emphasize devotion and prayer to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Eightfold Path

In Buddhism, the basic rules of behavior and belief leading to an end of suffering Wisdom, Ethical Conduct, moral development

Arhat

In Theravada, a person who has practiced monastic disciplines and reached nirvana, the ideal.

Rupas

Statues

Dharma

Teachings of the Buddha

Five Precepts

The basic moral requirements that are binding for all Buddhists. They are: do not take life; do not take what is not given; do not engage in sensuous misconduct; do not use false speech; do not drink intoxicants.

Dalai Lama

The spiritual leader of Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism, believed to be an incarnation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.

Theravada

Theravada remains close to the original principles set forth by the Buddha; it downplays the importance of gods and emphasizes austerity and the individual's search for enlightenment.

Zen Buddhism

a Buddhist sect that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and stresses simplicity and discipline

Mantras

phrases or syllables chanted to evoke a deity or to enhance meditation