Asura == 阿修罗
It is a peculiar path in the Six Paths. In terms of material enjoyment and psychic power, it is similar to Deva. However, in some aspects, it is even worse than Human Path. The male Asura is extremely ugly and furious, and always fight with each other. The female Asura is as beautiful as an angel. They are proud of themselves, thus reluctant to learn and practice Buddhism.
Raksa == 罗刹
living in the Ghost Path. Like Yaksa, they are evil and violent, but inferior to Yaksa.
Stupa == 塔
It refers to a place where the Buddha”s true body resides.
Sudra == 首陀罗
the lowest of the four Indian Castes at the time of Shakyamuni. They were peasants, slaves and serfs.
Sutra == 经
It is a "path" necessarily passed through in the cultivation of the Way.
Yaksa == 夜叉
The demons in the lower realm, like the Ghost Realm. They are evil, malignant and violent. They live on earth or in air.
Bhiksu == 比丘
A monk, who has left home, been fully ordained, and depends on alms for a living.
Sanjna == 想
see Recognition or Five Skandhas.
Sumeru == 须弥山
Sanskrit words. It means wonderful high mountain. It is composed of gold. silver, lapis lazuli and crystal, therefore it is so wonderful. It is eighty four thousand Yugamdhara high and eighty found thousand Yugamdhara wide, which is the greatest mountain amongst all.
Vaisya == 吠舍
the third of the four Indian Castes at the time of Shakyamuni. They were merchant, entrepreneurs, traders, farmers, manufacturers, etc., but not well-educated.
Wisdom == 智慧
the highest of Paramita; the virtue of wisdom as the principal means of attaining Nirvana. It connotes a knowledge of the illusory character of everything earthly, and destroys error, ignorance, prejudice and heresy.
akusala == 恶,不善
Hsu Yun == 虚云
a great Ch”an master in China. He died in 1959 at the age of 120.
Kushala == 善业
Sanskrit word. It means good Karma.
Samadhi == 三摩地
Sanskrit word for meditation. See Meditation and Contemplation.
Samsara == 轮回转世
Sanskrit word meaning turning of the wheel or revolving. It refers to the transmigration in the Six Directions of Reincarnation.
Sravaka == 声闻
the first or initial stage in Hinayana, the second being that of Praetyka-Buddha. Sravaka, a Sanskrit word, means a hearer. It generally relates to Hinayana disciple who understands the Four Noble Truth in entering Nirvana.
Akushala == 恶业
Sanskrit word. It means bad Karma.
Bhiksuni == 比丘尼
A nun, see also Bhiksu.
Ksatriya == 刹帝利
the second of the four Indian Castes at the time of Shakyamuni, they were the royal caste, the noble landlord, the warriors and the ruling castes.
Samskara == 行
see Volition or Five Skandhas.
Emptiness == 空
The Sanskrit word is Sunya. One of the key concepts in Buddhism. Emptiness is an abstract idea representing impermanence, unreality, instability, transience and relativity in the nature of all existence. The doctrine states that all phenomena and the ego have no reality, but are composed of a certain number of Skandhas or elements, which disintegrate. The doctrine also states that everything is unstable, possessing no self-essence or self-nature, i.e., its own existence dependent or caused by the conditions of others” existence.
Emptiness is not nothing, but it is the condition of existence of everything. It permeates all phenomena making possible their evolution.
Five Eyes == 五眼(肉眼、天眼、法眼、慧眼、佛眼)
There are five classes of eyes:
1. human eye
2. devine eye
3. dharma eye
4. wisdom eye
5. Buddha eye
Saha Land == 娑婆世界
It refers to the land on Earth. Saha interprets as bearing and enduring. Saha Land is contrary to Pure Land.
Sariputra == 舍利弗
One of the Ten Great Disciples of Shakyamuni, noted for his wisdom and learning. He was also the right-hand attendant on Shakyamuni. He figures prominently in certain sutras. He is represented as standing with Maudgalyayana by the Buddha when entering Nirvana. He is to reappear as Padmaprabha Buddha.
Sensation == 受
or Feeling. The Sanskrit word is Vedana. One of the Five Skandhas. See Five Skandhas.
Six Dusts == 六尘
see Six Gunas.
Six Gunas == 六尘
or Six External Bases, or Six Dusts. They are sight, sound, scent/smell, taste, tangibles/touch and dharma/idea. They are the qualities produced by the objects and organs of sense.
Six Paths == 六道
see Six Directions of Reincarnation.
Six Roots == 六根
or Six Sense-organs, see Six Indriyas.
Yasodhara == 耶苏陀罗
the wife of Siddhartha Goutama.
Almsgiving == 布施
see charity.
bodhisatta == 菩萨
Four Seals == 四法印
They are:
1.All phenomena are impermanent.
2.All Dharma are not-self.
3.The eternity is Nirvana.
4.All sensations are suffering.
Mahasattva == 摩诃萨
These are great Bodhisattvas, who attain higher stages of fruition and enlightenment. See also Ten Stages of Bodhisattva.
Seven Gems == 七宝【金、银、琉璃、玛瑙、珍珠、玫瑰、砗磲(一种贝壳);或金、银、琉璃、水晶、琥珀、红珍珠、玛瑙】
They are gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, mother-of-pearl, red pearls and carnelian.
Shakyamuni == 释迦牟尼
the founder of Buddhism. He was born as the Prince of Sakyans, and was called Siddhartha Goutama. At the age of 35, he attained the supreme Enlightenment and became the Buddha and was the called Shakyamuni. The word means "capability and kindness".
Six Places == 六根
Sanskrit word is Sadayatana. See Six Indriyas.
Suddhodana == 净饭王
Pure Rice Prince, the father of Shakyamuni, ruled over the Sakyans at Kapilaratthu on the Nepalese border.
Ten Powers == 十力
The Ten Powers of Buddha or Bodhisattva are the complete knowledge of
1.what is right or wrong in every condition
2.what is the karma of every being, past, present and future
3.all stages of dhyana liberation and samadhi
4.the powers and faculties of all beings
5.the desires or moral directions of every being
6.the actual condition of every individual
7.the direction and consequence of all laws
8.all causes of mortality and of good and evil in their reality
9.the end of all beings and Nirvana
10.the destruction of all illusion of every kind
Two Deaths == 二死
Two Deaths refer to
1.share-sectioned birth and death
2.changed birth and death
anapanasati == 安那般那念, 安般念, 入出息念
Bodhisattva == 菩萨
A Future Buddha who is a being destined to Buddhahood. Bodhi means Enlightenment and Sattva means Sentient and Conscious. Therefore Bodhisattva refers to the sentient being of or for the great wisdom and enlightenment. Bodhisattva”s vow/aim is the pursuit of Buddhahood and the salvation of others and of all. He seeks enlightenment to enlighten others. He will sacrifice himself to save the others. He is devoid of egoism and devoted to help the others. The way and discipline of Bodhisattva is to benefit the self and the others, leading to Buddhahood.
Eight Winds == 八风
Or the Winds of Eight Directions. Most people are usually moved by the winds of the eight directions:
(1) Praise
(2) Ridicule
(3) Suffering
(4) Happiness
(5) Benefit
(6) Destruction
(7) Gain
(8) Loss
Lotus Sutra == 妙法莲华经
One of the most important sutra in Buddhism. Lotus flower is used to describe the brightness and pureness of the One Buddha Dharma.
Nine Realms == 九界
The nine realms of error, or subjection to passions, i.e. all the realms of the living except the tenth and highest, the Buddha-realm. The nine realms are : the hell, the hungry ghost, the animal, the man, the Asura, the gods, the Arhat (sound hearer), the Arhat (enlightened to condition), and the Bodhisattra.
Three Roots == 三根
The three (evil) roots, i.e. desire, hate and stupidity. Another group is the three grades of good "roots" or abilities, i.e. superior, medium and inferior.
Three Seals == 三法印(诸行无常,诸法无我,寂静涅槃)
Also known as Three Universal Truths.
1.All phenomena are impermanent.
2.All Dharma are not-self.
3.The eternity is Nirvana.
It is called the seal because it is to certify whether it is the Buddha”s teaching or not. Also see Four Seals.
Five Wisdoms == 五智
1.Wisdom of the Embodied Nature of Dharma Realm法界体性智
- derived from amala-vijanana, i.e. pure consciousness (or mind).
2.Wisdom of the Great Round Mirror大圆镜智
- derived from alaya-vijanana, (8th consciousness) reflecting all things.
3.Wisdom in regard to all things equally and universally平等性智
- derived from manovijanana (7th consciousness).
4.Wisdom of profound insight, or discrimination, for exposition and doubt - destruction妙观察智
- derived from the mind consciousness (6th consciousness).
5.Wisdom of perfecting the double work of self welfare and the welfare of others成所作智
- derived from the five senses (1st to 5th consciousness).
Four Virtues == 四德
The four Nirvana virtues:
(1) Eternity or permanence
(2) Joy
(3) Personality
(4) Purity
These four important virtues are affirmed by the sutra in the transcendental or nirvana-realm.
Right Speech == 正语
the third of Eightfold Path, abstaining from lying, slander/back biting, abuse/harsh words and idle talk.
Sakradagamin == 斯陀含
see Four Fruition.
Six Indriyas == 六根
or Six Internal Bases, or Six Sense-organs, or Six Places. They are eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind.
Six Paramita == 六波罗蜜多,六度
see Paramita.
Srota-apanna == 须陀洹
see Four Fruition.
Three Dogmas == 三谛
They are the Dogma of Void, Unreal and Mean. See also Three Meditations of One Mind.
Three Jewels == 三宝
Or the Three Precious Ones, i.e. the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
Three Realms == 三界
Sanskrit word is Trailokya. It is Buddhist metaphysical equivalence for the triple world of earth, atmosphere and heaven.
1.Realm of Sensusous Desire (Sanskrit word is Kamadhatu) of sex and food. It includes the Six Hevens of Desire, the Human World and the Hells.
2.Realm of Form (Sanskrit word is Rupaadhatu) of matter which is substantial and resistant. It includes the Heavens of Four Zen (Sanskrit word is Brahmalokas).
3.Realm of Formlessness (Sanskrit word is Arupadhatu) of pure spirit, where there are no bodies and matters to which human terms would apply, but where the mind dwells in mystic contemplation; its extent is indefinable, but it is conceived of in Four Stages/Places of Emptiness in the immaterial world.
Three Wisdom == 三智(一切智、道种智、一切种智)
There are three kinds of wisdom:
1.Sravaka and Praetyka-Buddha knowledge that all the Dharmas or laws are void and unreal
2.Bodhisattva knowledge of all things in proper discrimination
3.Buddha knowledge or perfect knowledge of all things in their every aspect and relationship past, present and future.
In Tien Tai Sect, the Three Wisdom is associated with the Three Dogmas of Void, Unreal and Mean.
Twelve Bases == 十二处
The Six Internal Bases and the Six External Bases are together called the Twelve Bases. Base implies the meaning of germinating and nourishing. All mental activities are germinated and nourished from these Twelve Bases.
Bhaisajyaguru == 药师佛
Sanskrit word, the Buddha of Medicine, who quells all diseases and lengthens life. His is the Buddha in the Pure Land of the Paradise of the East.
Five Bhikshus == 五比丘
The first five of Buddha”s converts: Ajnata-Kaundinya, Asvajit, Bhadrika, Dasabala-Kasyapa, and Mahanama-Kulika. They were the first five disciples that Shakyamuni preached when he became Buddha.
Five Offences == 五逆罪(杀父、杀母、杀阿罗汉、出佛身血、破和合僧)
The five rebellious acts or deadly sins:
(1) parricide
(2) matricide
(3) killing an arhat
(4) shedding the blood of a Buddha
(5) destroying the harmony of the sangha, or fraternity.
Five Precepts == 五戒(不杀、不盗、不邪淫、不妄语、不饮酒)
or Five Commandments for layman
(1) No killing
(2) No stealing
(3) No sexual misconduct/adultery
(4) No lying
(5) No intoxicant
It is essential for the rebirth in human realms.
Five Skandhas == 五蕴
or Five Aggregates, that is, the five components of an intelligent beings, or psychological analysis of the mind:
1.Matter or Form (rupa) - the physical form responded to the five organs of senses, i.e., eye, ear, nose, tongue and body
2.Sensation or Feeling (vedana) - the feeling in reception of physical things by the senses through the mind
3.Recognition or Conception (sanjna) - the functioning of mind in distinguishing and formulating the concept
4.Volition or Mental Formation (samskara) - habitual action, i.e., a conditioned response to the object of experience, whether it is good or evil, you like or dislike
5.Consciousness (vijnana) - the mental faculty in regard to perception, cognition and experience
Five Vehicles == 五乘(人、天、声闻、缘觉、菩萨)
The Five Vehicles conveying the karma-reward which differs according to the vehicle:
1.Human Vehicle - rebirth among human conveyed by observing the Five Commandments (Five Precepts)
2.Deva Vehicle - among the devas by the Ten Forms of Good Actions (Ten Wholesomeness)
3."Sound-Hearing" Arhat - among the sravakas by the Four Noble Truths
4."Enlightened by Conditions" Arhat - among the pratyeka-buddhas by the Twelve Nidanas
5.Bodhisattva - among the Bodhisattvas by the Six Paramita
Six Entrances == 六入
see Six Places and Six Indriyas.
Three Poisons == 三毒(贪、嗔、痴)
or Three Roots
1.Greed or wrong desire
2.Hatred or anger
3.Illusion or stupidity or ignorance
These are the source of all the passions and delusions.
Three Shastra == 三论
They are
1.Madhyamaka Shastra中论
2.Dvadashamukha Shastra十二门论
3.Shatika Shastra百论
All three were translated by Kumarajiva(鸠摩罗什), on which the Three Shastra Sect(三论宗) bases its doctrines.
Three Studies == 三学(戒、定、慧)
or Three Vehicles of Learning
1.Sila, i.e. taking Precepts
2.Dhyana, i.e. concentration and meditation
3.Prajna, i.e. wisdom
It is practiced by the Arhats.
Three Virtues == 三德
The three virtues of power,
1.the virtue, or potency of the Buddha”s eternal, spiritual body, i.e., the Dharmakaya
2.the virtue of his Prajna, knowing all things in their reality
3.the virtue of his freedom from all attachments and his sovereign liberty
Tien Tai Sect == 天台宗
One of the Ten Great Sect in Chinese Buddhism. It was initiated by Hui Man in the dynasty of Bei-Chai, and was promoted by Chi-Hai in Tsui Dynasty. Mainly based on Lotus Sutra, Tien Tai Sect explains all universal phenomena with Three Dogmas. For the practices, it emphasizes cutting off Three Delusions, thus establishes the method of Three Meditations of One Mind.
Twelve Places == 十二处
see the Twelve Bases.
Two Obstacles == 二障(烦恼障、所知障)
Two Obstacles refer to
1.the obstacle of afflictions
2.the obstacle of what is known
Amitabha Sutra == 阿弥陀经
One of the main sutra in Pure Land Sect. It is said to be the only sutra that Shakyamuni preached without being asked. For the sake of facilitating the living beings to practice and cultivate the Buddha way. Shakyamuni revealed and taught us of he simplest ways for liberation and enlightenment -- reciting Amitabha Buddha”s name. By reciting the name, one can opt to be born in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is one of the most popular sutra recited by the Buddhists in China.
Avalokitesvara == 观世音菩萨
Sanskrit word for the Bodhisattva who Hears the Sounds of the World. He rescues all beings by hearing their voices of suffering and cries for help. In Chinese, he is called Guan Shr Yin or Guan Yin Bodhisattva. As one of the Four Great Bodhisattva, he is the one with the greatest compassion and mercy.
Guan Yin is one of the triad of Amitabha Buddha, represented on his left, and being the future Buddha in the Land of Ultimate Bliss (Pure Land) after Amitabha Buddha.
Guan Yin can transform into many different forms in order to cross over to the beings. Guan Yin is one of the most popular Bodhisattva in China.
Six Fulfilment == 六成就(佛经开卷的内容:如是、我闻、说法的时间、说法人、地点、听众)
the six requirements indicating that the Sutra is a true record of teachings given directly by the Buddha. They are the fulfilment of meeting the requirement
1.on belief 2.on hearing 3.on time 4.on of the host 5.on place 6.on audiences
Ten Directions == 十方
the ten directions of space, i.e. the eight points of the compass and the nadir and zenith. There is a Buddha in each direction.
Ten Good Deeds == 十善
The Ten Forms of Good Actions for layman, or Ten Wholesomeness.
1.No killing
2.No stealing
3.No adultery
4.No lying
5.No slandering
6.No harsh speech
7.No idle talks
8.No greed
9.No hatred
10.No illusion
It is essential for the rebirth in Deva realm.
Twelve Nidanas == 十二因缘
see the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.
Eight Negations == 八不
The eight negations of Nagarjuna, founder of Madhyamika, are actually four pairs of neither birth nor death, neither end nor permanence, neither identity nor difference, neither coming nor going. This is one of the important concepts of the Middle Way, the ultimate truth of Buddhism and the reality character of all Dharma.
Eighteen Fields == 十八界
The Six Consciousness and the Twelve Bases are together called the Eighteen Fields.
Five Messengers == 五使者
They are five messengers of Manjusri:
1. Kesini
2. Upakesini
3. Citra
4. Vasumati
5. Akarsani
Four Great Vows == 四弘誓愿
1.Vow to take across the numberless living beings.
2.Vow to cut off the endless afflictions.
3.Vow to study the countless Dharma doors.
4.Vow to realize the supreme Buddha Way.
Shatika Shastra == 百论
one of the Three Shastra of Madhyamika School, so called because of its 100 verses, each of 32 words. It was written in Sanskrit by Vasubandhu and translated by Kumarajiva, but the versions differ.
Spiritual Ghost == 鬼神
living in the Ghost Path. They are kind dwelling in the nature, e.g. trees, mountain and sea protecting the creatures.
Taking Precepts == 持戒
see Morality.
Three Delusions == 三惑
In Tien Tai, three doubts in the mind of Bodhisattva, producing three delusions, i.e.,
1.through things seen and thought 2.through the immense variety of duties in saving humans 3.through ignorance
Three Obstacles == 三障
1.the karmic obstacle
2.the affliction obstacle
3.the retribution obstacle
When the Three Obstacles are cleared and dissolved, the Three Virtues will be perfected.
Avatamsaka Sutra == 华严经
One of the great sutras in Buddhism. It was sermoned in heaven by Buddha Shakyamuni soon after his attainment of Buddhahood. The sutra reveals different causes and ways of cultivation of many great Bodhisattvas, such as Ten Grades of Faith, Ten Stages of Wisdom, Ten Activities, Ten Transference of Merits, Ten Stages of Bodhisattva, Absolute Universal Enlightenment, Wonderful Enlightenment, etc. It also reveals how to enter Avatamsaka World (Buddha”s world) from Saha World (our world).
Eight Sufferings == 八苦
(1) Suffering of Birth
(2) Suffering of Old Age
(3) Suffering of Sickness
(4) Suffering of Death
(5) Suffering of being apart from the loved ones
(6) Suffering being together with the despised ones
(7) Suffering of not getting what one wants
(8) Suffering of the flourishing of the Five Skandhas
Four Holy Realms == 四圣道
They are Sravaka, Praetyka-Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Buddha.
Six Sense-organs == 六根
see Six Indriyas.
Thirty-two Forms == 三十二相
These are the physical marks of a Buddha
1.Level feet
2.thousand-spoke wheel-sign on feet
3.long slender fingers
4.pliant hands and feet
5.toes and fingers finely webbed
6.full-sized heels
7.arched insteps
8.thigh like a royal stag
9.hands reaching below the knees
10.well-retracted male organ
11.height and stretch of arms equal
12.every hair-root dark coloured
13.body hair graceful and curly
14.golden-hued body
15.a ten-foot halo around him
16.soft smooth skin
17.two soles, two palms, two shoulders and crown well rounded
18.below the armpits well-filled
19.lion-shaped body
20.erect
21.full shoulders
22.forty teeth
23.teeth white even and close
24.the four canine teeth pure white
25.lion-jawed
26.salvia improving the taste of all food
27.tongue long and broad
28.voice deep and resonant
29.eye deep blue
30.eye lashes like a royal bull
31.a white urna or curl between the eyebrows emitting light
32.an usnisa or fleshy protuberance on the crown.
Three Evil Paths == 三恶道
They are the three lowest realms of the Nine Realms: hell, hungry ghost and animal.(地狱,饿鬼,畜牲)
Three Good Paths == 三善道
They are Man, Asura and Deva Paths.(人,阿修罗,天道)
Three Sufferings == 三苦(苦苦、乐苦、不苦不乐苦)
1.Feeling of suffering
2.Feeling of happiness - suffering of decay
3.Feeling of neither suffering nor happiness - suffering of the activity of the Five Skandhas. (五蕴)
Five Commandments == 五戒
see Five Precepts.
Foremost Paramita == 第一波罗蜜
It refers to the perfect principle of Middle Way. It is neither birth nor death, without dwelling in Nirvana. It is the substance of everything beyond words and conceptual thinking.
Four Fearlessness == 四无所畏(佛四无所畏,菩萨四无所畏)
There are four kinds of fearlessness, of which there are two groups:
A.Buddha”s fearlessness arises from(佛四无所畏)
1. his omniscience正等觉无所畏
2. perfection of character漏永尽无所畏
3. overcoming opposition说障法无所畏
4.ending of suffering说出道无所畏
B.Bodhisattva”s fearlessness arises from(菩萨四无所畏)
1. powers of memory能持无所畏
2. power of moral diagnosis and application of the remedy知根无所畏
3. power of ratiocination决疑无所畏
4.power of solving doubts答报无所畏