Some 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 along with the definition.
Languages and traditions dealt with here: English () – Buddhism in the West Pāli () – Theravada Sanskrit () – primarily Mahayana Bengali () – Theravada Sinhala () – Theravada Burmese () – Theravada Karen () – Theravada Khmer () – Theravada Mon () – Theravada Mongolian () – primarily Vajrayana Shan () – Theravada Tibetan () – Tibetan Buddhism Dzongkha () – Tibetan Buddhism Thai () – primarily Theravada Lao () – Theravada CJKV languages Chinese () – Chinese Buddhism Cantonese () – Buddhism in Hong Kong Mandarin () – Buddhism in China Taiwanese Hokkien () – Buddhism in Taiwan Japanese () – Japanese Buddhism Korean () – Korean Buddhism Vietnamese () – Mahayana/Theravada Javanese () – Mahayana/Theravada
A DefinitionEtymologyIn other languagesabhidharma Scholarly teachings of the Buddha. A category of scriptures that attempts to use Buddhist teachings to create a systematic, abstract description of all worldly phenomena. abhi is "above" or "about", dhamma is "teaching" Pāli: abhidhamma Sanskrit: abhidharma Bur: abhidhamma () Khmer: អភិធម្ម âphĭthômm Tib: ཆོས་མངོན་པ chos mngon pa Mn: их ном, билиг ухаан; ikh nom, bilig ukhaan Thai: อภิธรรม a-pi-tam 阿毘達磨／阿毗昙 Cn: Āpídámó Jp: Abidatsuma Ko: 아비달마, Abidalma Vi: a-tì-đạt-ma, thắng phápAvataṃsakasūtra "Garland Scripture" A Mahāyāna sutra which discusses the Bodhisattva path and a variety of teachings. Sanskrit: Avataṃsakasūtra 大方廣佛華嚴經 / 華嚴經Abhidhamma Pitaka The third basket of the Tripitaka canon, the reorganization of all doctrines in a systematic way. Pāli: Abhidhamma-piṭaka Sanskrit: Abhidharma-piṭaka Bur: Abidhamma Pitakat () Khmer: Mon: () Thai: อภิธรรมปิฎก a-pi-tam-pi-dok 論藏, 論蔵 Cn: Lùnzàng Jp: Ronzō Ko: 논장, Nonjang Vi: Luận tạng, Tạng luận, tạng thứ ba trong ba tạng là kinh, luật và luận Mn: Илт ном, Ilt nomAbhiniṣkramaṇasūtra "Sūtra of the Great Renunciation" A translation of the Chinese text Fo Benxing Ji Jing, a biography of the Buddha. Sanskrit: Abhiniṣkramaṇasūtra 佛本行集經Acharya, lit. "teacher", A teacher who has demonstrated a deep understanding of the Dhamma, and is entrusted with the responsibility of guiding novice Bhikkus. Pāli: ācariya Sanskrit: ācārya Bur: saya () Shan: atsariya () Thai: อาจารย์ ajahn 阿闍梨 or 阿闍梨耶 Cn: āshélí or āshélíyē Jp: ajari or ajariya Ko: 아사리, asari or 아사리야 asariya Vi: a-xà-lê or a-xà-lê-da or giáo thọ sưAdbhutadharmaparyāyasūtra Part of the Gilgit Manuscripts, it is about merit making through the building of stupas, images, and relics. Sanskrit: Adbhutadharmaparyāyasūtra, 甚稀有經 or 未曾有經 Cn: Shen xiyou jingAdhigamadharma "The Dharma of Realization" A practical application of the Buddhist scriptures through higher discipline, higher mindfulness, and higher wisdom. Contrasted with Āgamadharma, a word for the scriptures, usually called the tripitaka. 證法adhitthana Determination, resolution, or will. One of the Ten Perfections. Pāli: Sanskrit: अधिष्ठान Bur: () Thai: อธิษฐาน ah-tid-taan 決心 or 決意 Cn: Juéxīn, juéyì Jp: kesshin Ko: 결심, gyeolsim or 결의, gyeolui Vi: nguyện lựcĀgama A category of early Buddhist texts preserved in Chinese. In Theravada, the term nikāya is used. Sanskrit: Āgama Pāli: Āgama (but usually called Nikāya) 阿含 Cn: Āhán Jp: Agon Ko: 아함, Aham Vi: A-hàmĀgamadharma "The Dharma of Transmission". A word for the tripitaka. Contrasted with adhigamadharma, which is the practical application of scripture. Sanskrit: Āgamadharma 教法ahimsa The devotion to non-violence and respect for all forms of life. Practitioners of ahimsa are often vegetarians or vegans. Sanskrit: ahiṃsā Pāli: ahiṃsā Thai: อหิงสา 'ah-hing-sa' 不害 Cn: bù hài Jp: fugai Ko: 불해, bulhae Vi: bất hạiAkshobhya One of the Five Tathāgatas or Five Wisdom Buddhas, along with Ratnasambhava, Amitābha, Vairocana, and Amoghasiddhi. Sanskrit: Akṣobhya Mn: ; Үл Хөдлөгч, Хөдөлшгүй; 阿閦如來 Cn: Āchùrúlái Jp: Ashuku Nyorai Vi: A-súc Như Lai Ködelüsi ügei, Ülü hödelügciakuśalakarmapatha In Tibetan Buddhism. A list of ten unwholesome courses of action. These are killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, slander or malicious speech, offensive or harsh speech, frivolous prattle, covetousness, ill will, and wrong view. Sanskrit: akuśalakarmapathaalayavijnana Store consciousness (alayavijnana) is a fundamental Yogacara concept, sometimes observed in other schools of Mahayana Buddhism, representing the deepest level of mind that stores all karmic "seeds" (experiences, actions, and memories). It operates continuously, day and night, processing information and influencing future behavior. Sanskrit: ālayavijñāna Tib: kun gzhi rnam par shes pa 阿賴耶識, 阿頼耶識 Cn: ālàiyēshí Jp: araya-shiki Ko: 아뢰야식, aroeyasik Vi: a-lại-da thứcAmitabha Lit. "The Buddha of Infinite Light". The main buddha of the Pure Land school, but is popular in other Mahayana sects as well. The image is of light as the form of wisdom, which has no form. Also interpreted as the Tathagata of Unhindered Light that Penetrates the Ten Quarters by Tan Luan, Shinran and others Sanskrit: amitābha (lit. "limitless light") and amitāyus (lit. "limitless life") 阿彌陀 or 阿彌陀佛, 阿弥陀 or 阿弥陀仏 Cn: Ēmítuó or Ēmítuó fó Jp: Amida or Amida-butsu Ko: 아미타, Amita or 아미타불, Amitabul Tw: O͘-mí-tô͘-hu̍t Vi: A-Di-Đà, A-Di-Đà Phật, or Phật A-Di-Đà Tib: Mn: ;Аминдаваа, Цаглашгүй гэрэлт;Amindava, Tsaglasi ügei gereltüAmitābhasūtra Sanskrit: Amitābhasūtra 阿彌陀經Amoghasiddhi Sanskrit: Amoghasiddhi Tib: Dön yö drub pa Mn: ;Төгс Нөгчигсөн, Үйл Бүтээгч;Tegüs nögcigsen, Üyile Bütügegcianagārika A white-clothed student in the Theravada tradition who, for a few months, awaits being considered for sāmaṇera ordination. An anagārika takes the eight precepts, and in some cases, may choose to remain in this position for years to directly support the sangha. Pāli: anāgarika Thai: อนาคาริก a-na-ka-rikanapanasati Mindfulness of the breath meditation Pāli: ānāpānasati Sanskrit: ānāpānasmṛti Bur: anapana ()anatta The principle denial of the soul in any phenomena. See also negative theology. Pāli: anattā Sanskrit: anātman Bur: anatta () Shan: () 無我 Cn: wúwǒ Jp: muga Ko: 무아, mua Tw: bû-ngó͘ Vi: vô ngãanicca Impermanence Pāli: anicca Sanskrit: anitya Mn: Мөнх бус Bur: aneissa () Shan: () Thai: อนิจจา anijja 無常 Cn: wúcháng Jp: mujō Ko: 무상, musang Tw: bû-siông Vi: vô thườnganitya Impermanence, synonym to aniccaanuttara Unsurpassing Pāli: anuttara Sanskrit: anuttara 阿耨多羅／阿耨多罗 (無上／无上) Cn: Ānòuduōluó ("wǔshàng") Jp: anokutara Ko: 아뇩다라, anyokdara Vi: A-nậu-đà-la (vô thượng)anuttara samyak sambodhi, unsurpassable, complete, perfect enlightenment; unsurpassable, right, and full enlightenment Pāli: Sanskrit: Khmer: អនុត្តរសម្មាសម្ពោធិ Tib:, 阿耨多罗三藐三菩提 (or 無上正等正覺) Cn: ānòuduōluó sānmiǎosānpútí (or wúshàng zhèngděng zhèngjué) Jp: anokutara sanmyakusanbodai Ko: 아뇩다라삼먁삼보리, Anyokdara sammyak sambori Vi: A-nậu-đà-la tam-miệu tam-bồ-đề, Vô-thượng chánh-đẳng chánh-giác, Sáng-suốt giác-ngộ hoàn-toànarhat, lit. "the Worthy One", A living person who has reached Enlightenment Pāli: arahat or arahant Sanskrit: arhat or arhant Bur: yahanda () Shan: rahanta () Tib: , dgra com pa Mn: архад, arkhad Thai: อรหันต์ uh-ra-hann 阿羅漢 Cn: āluóhàn Jp: arakan Ko: 아라한, arahan Tw: a-lô-hàn Vi: a-la-hánārūpyarāga Sanskrit: ārūpyarāga 無色貪asura "nongods," Sanskrit: asura Thai: อสูร asula 阿修羅 Cn: āxiūluó Jp: ashuran Ko: 아수라, asura Tw: A-siu-lô Vi: A Tu Laatman literally "self", sometimes "soul" or "ego". In Buddhism, the predominant teaching is the negating doctrine of anatman, that there is no permanent, persisting atman, and that belief in atman is the prime consequence of ignorance, the foundation of samsara Pāli: atta Sanskrit: ātman Bur: atta () 我 Cn: wǒ Jp: ga Ko: 아, a Tw: ngó͘ Vi: ngãAvalokitesvara, lit. "One Who Hears the Suffering Cries of the World", The bodhisattva of compassion (see also Guan Yin) Sanskrit: Avalokiteśvara Bur: lawka nat () Tib: spyan ras gzigs Mn: Жанрайсиг, Janraisig 觀世音 or 觀音 Cn: Guānshì Yīn or Guān Yīn Jp: Kanzeon or Kannon Ko: 관세음, Gwanse-eum or 관음, Gwaneum Tw: Koan-sè-im or Koan-im Vi: "Quan Thế Âm Bồ Tát", "Quán Thế Âm Bồ Tát' or "Quan Âm"avidya "ignorance" or "delusion" Sanskrit: avidyā pāli: "avijjā Pāli: avijjā Bur: aweizza () Shan: awitsa () Thai: อวิชชา aa-wit-sha Tib: ma rig-pa 無明 Cn: wúmíng Jp: mumyō Ko: 무명, mumyeong Tw: Bû-bêng Vi: vô minh
B DefinitionEtymologyIn other languagesbardo, lit. "intermediate state" or "in-between state", According to Tibetan tradition, the state of existence intermediate between two lives Tib: bar ma do'i srid pa Sanskrit: antarābhava Mn: зуурд, zuurd 中有,中陰身 Cn: zhongyǒu Jp: chūu Ko: 중유 jungyu or 바르도 bareudo Vi: trung hữu, trung ấm thân, thân trung-ấmbhavacakra/bhavacakka A circular symbolic representation of samsara, also known as Wheel of becoming Pāli: bhavacakka Sanskrit: bhava-cakra Bur: bawa set () Mon: () Shan: () Tib: Mn: Орчлонгийн хүрдэн, Orchlongiin khurden 有輪 Cn: yǒulún Jp: ariwa Ko: 유륜, yuryun Vi: hữu luânbhante The polite particle used to refer to Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition. Bhante literally means "Venerable Sir." Pāli Bur: bhante ()bhava Becoming, being, existing; the 10th link of Pratitya-samutpada Pāli, Sanskrit: bhava Bur: bawa () Mon: () Shan: () Thai: ภาวะ pa-wah 有(十二因緣) Cn: yǒu Jp: u Ko: 유, yu Tw: iú Vi: hữu (thập nhị nhân duyên)bhikkhu/bhikshu, lit. "beggar", A Buddhist monk Pāli: bhikkhu Sanskrit: Bur: bheikkhu () Shan: () Tib: dge slong Mn: гэлэн, gelen Thai: ภิกขุ bhikku 比丘 Cn: bǐ qiū Jp: biku Ko: 비구, bigu or 스님 seunim, also 중, jung (pejorative) Tw: pí-khiu Vi: tì-kheobhikkhuni/bhikshuni A Buddhist nun from bhikkhu Pāli: bhikkhuni Sanskrit: Bur: bheikkhuni () Shan: () Kar: or "beegoonee" or "hpeewah" Tib: sde slong ma Mn: гэлэнмаа, gelenmaa Thai: ภิกษุณี bhiksuni 比丘尼 Cn: bǐqiūní Jp: bikuni Ko: 비구니, biguni, 여승 (女僧), yeoseung Tw: pí-khiu-nî Vi: tỉ-khâu-ni, tỉ-khưu-ni or tì-kheo-ni, nibija, lit. "seed", A metaphor for the origin or cause of things, used in the teachings of the Yogacara school Sanskrit: bīja Bur: biza () 種子 Cn: zhŏngzi Jp: shūji Ko: 종자, jongja Vi: chủng tử, hạt giống, hột giốngbodhi Awakening or Enlightenment Pāli, Sanskrit: bodhi Bur: bawdhi () Shan: () Thai: โพธิ์ poe Tib: byang chub Mn: бодь, bodi Tag: Budhi 菩提 Cn: pútí Jp: bodai Ko: 보리, bori Tw: phô͘-thê Vi: bồ-đề, giác, giác ngộBodhisattvapiṭaka "The Bodhisattva Basket" Sanskrit: Bodhisattvapiṭaka 菩薩藏經Bodhi tree The Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa) tree under which Gautama reached Enlightenment from bodhi above Bur: bawdhi nyaung () Shan: () 菩提樹 Cn: Pútíshù Jp: Bodaiju Ko: 보리수, Borisu Vi: Bồ-đề thụ, Bồ-đề thọ, cây Bồ-đềBodhicaryāvatāra "Introduction to the Practice of Enlightenment," written by Śāntideva (685-763) Sanskrit: Bodhicaryāvatāra 菩提行經bodhicitta The motivation of a bodhisattva Pāli, Sanskrit: bodhicitta Bur: bawdhi seitta () Tib: , byang chub kyi sems Mn: бодь сэтгэл, bodi setgel 菩提心 Cn: pútíxīn Jp: bodaishin Ko: 보리심, borisim Tw: phô͘-thê-sim Vi: bồ-đề tâmbodhisattva One with the intention to become a Buddha in order to liberate all other sentient beings from suffering Pāli: bodhisatta Sanskrit: bodhisattva Bur: bawdhi that () Mon: () Thai: โพธิสัตว์ poe-ti-satt Tib: , byang chub sems dpaʼ Mn: бодьсад(ва), bodisad(va) 菩薩 Cn: púsà Jp: bosatsu Ko: 보살, bosal Tw: Phô͘-sat Vi: bồ-tátBoghda Holy, living Buddha, living Boddhisattva. The title of Jebtsundamba Khutuktu; also title used with the names of highest Buddhist masters, e.g. boghda Tsongkhapa, Panchen boghda Shan: ()