Frequently Used Terms

 

Most of the terms set forth below are taken from the Pali language and listed here in roman pali notation. Unfortunately, limitations of this medium make it impossible to include the appropriate diacritical markings of the letters. To facilitate proper pronunciation of the Pali words one should consult another printed source which does include these markings.

 

The three trainings:

silā—morality

samādhi—concentration, mastery of the mind

paññā—wisdom, insight that purifies the mind

 

The Triple Gem:

Buddha—anyone who is fully enlightened

Dhamma—the law of nature; the teaching of an enlightened person; the way to liberation

Sangha—anyone who has practiced Dhamma and has become a pure-minded, saintly person

 

The three roots of all mental defilements:

raga/lobha—craving

dosa—aversion

moha—ignorance

 

The Noble Eightfold Path:

sammā—vācā-right speech

sammā—kammanta-right action

sammā—ājīva-right livelihood

sammā—vāyāma-right effort

sammā—sati-right awareness

sammā—samādhi-right concentration

sammā—sankappa-right thought

sammā—ditthi-right understanding

nibbāna—the unconditioned, the ultimate reality which is beyond mind and matter (Sanskrit nirvana)

 

The three kinds of wisdom:

sutā-mayā paññā—wisdom gained by listening to others

cintā-mayā paññā—intellectual, analytical understanding

bhāvanā-mayā paññā—wisdom based on direct personal experience

 

The three characteristics of phenomena:

anicca—impermanence

anattā—egolessness

dukkha—suffering

kamma—action; specifically, an action one performs which will have an effect on one's future (Sanskrit karma)

 

The Four Noble Truths:

the fact of suffering

the origin of suffering (craving)

the cessation of suffering

the path leading to the cessation of suffering

 

The five aggregates of which a human being is composed:

rupa—matter; the physical body composed of subatomic particles (kalapa)

viññāna—consciousness, cognition

saññā—perception, recognition

vedanā—sensation

sankhāra—reaction; mental conditioning

 

The four material elements:

pathavī—earth (solidity, weight)

āpo—water (fluidity, cohesion)

vāyo—air (gaseousness, motion)

tejo—fire (temperature)

 

The five hindrances or enemies:

kāmacchanda—craving

vyāpāda—aversion

thīna—middha-physical sloth and mental torpor

uddhacca-kukkucca—agitation and worry

vicikicchā—doubt, uncertainty

 

The five strengths or friends:

saddhā—confidence

viriya—effort

sati—awareness

samādhi—concentration

paññā—wisdom

 

The four causes for the arising of matter:

food

environment/atmosphere

a present mental reaction

a past mental reaction

 

The four qualities of a pure mind:

mettā—selfless love

karunā—compassion

muditā—sympathetic joy

upekkhā—equanimity

 

satipatthāna—the establishing of awareness; synonym for Vipassana

 

The four satipatthānas are:

kāyānupassanā—observation of the body

vedanānupassanā—observation of bodily sensations

cittānupassanā—observation of the mind

dhammānupassanā—observation of mental contents

 

 

 

Bhavatu sabba mangalam—May all beings be happy!

Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu—well said, well done; we agree, we share this wish