The concept of samsara refers to the state of reincarnation through the perpetual cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. The word samsara is derived from Sanskrit and Pāli, and translates to “continuous movement,” “continuous flowing” or “wandering” (Laumakis, 89). The term is used to describe existence in the material world as it is caused …
Category Archives: S
The Six Perfections
“The Six Perfections” is a term referring to the list of virtues that have been learned by an enlightened being, or a buddha in Buddhist religion and philosophy. It is a term most generally referred to specifically in Mahāyāna Buddhism. The six perfections, or parāmitās(2), are the objectives of a bodhisattva and are the inevitable …
Stupas
Stupas, derived from the sanskrit root “stu” meaning “to praise/worship”, are Buddhist pieces of architecture usually containing relics created for a variety of religious purposes. Originally, stupas were simply burial mounds made out of stones and dirt for people of king-like importance, but Shakyamuni Buddha’s death changed the purpose of Stupas from beings burial mounds …
Six Realms of Transmigration
The Six Realms of Transmigration can be defined as the essence of Buddhist philosophy in regards to reincarnation and the cycle of life. The Wheel of Life, or Bhavachakra, depicts and explains the cyclical nature of reincarnation, along with the multiple aspects of our perceived reality as normal beings. The six realms also show the …
The Five Skandhas
The Five Skandhas, commonly translated as the Five Aggregates, are often referred to as a method in which to define and examine one’s person, personality and self. As a whole, however, the aggregates are used as a method for communicating and understanding the causes of suffering and how to eventually escape suffering and samsāra. A …
Sangha
Sangha refers the group of people that follow the teachings of Buddha, translating literally from Sanskrit as “collection” or “assemblage” (Borchert, 2012). Sangha is included in the ‘Three Jewels” or Buddhist sites of refuge, the two others being the Buddha and the Dharma. Who is included in the Sangha is highly dependent on the author …
