Arhat is defined as a perfected person who has reached nirvana. Literally, in Sanskrit, the term means “one who is worthy.”Their worthiness is a product of their general state of enlightenment. In Theravada Buddhism, the term has a more specific definition: “The Arhat or “Worthy One” has broken all ten fetters and has won liberation …
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Compassion
What is Compassion? In the Buddhist tradition, compassion can be understood as a deep desire to relieve the suffering of other beings. Although the worlds of science and religion are in many ways mutually exclusive, both neuropsychologists and Buddhist religious figures agree that compassion is necessary for achieving personal and societal growth. Traditional Buddhists texts …
Dependent Origination
Overview Dependent origination is a central etiological principle of Buddhist philosophy that describes the emergence of suffering (dukkha) from its roots in the ignorance of the Four Noble Truths. It is often presented in systematized form as the Twelve Links of Dependent Arising. The doctrine of dependent origination, and the “standard” twelvefold causal chain accompanying …
Maṇḍala
OVERVIEW: The maṇḍala is a symbolic figure that is used in the practice of Tantric Buddhism, a form of Buddhism that specializes in ritual art and visual mediation. The word maṇḍala originates from the Sanskrit word for circle, and the majority of maṇḍalas have a circular shape that contains intricate patterns. These patterns represent a …
Refuge
Also see entries: “Three Jewels,” “triratna,” “sarana” In addition to meaning “refuge,” the Sanskrit word, “sarana,” also translates to “haven” or “shelter” (Buswell & Lopez). In the Mahayana and Vijrayana Buddhist traditions, when one commits to the Buddhist path, they go for “refuge” in the “Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha,” or the “Three Jewels” (“tri-ratna/ti-ratana” …
Saṃsāra
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 …
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 …
The Three Mental Poisons
Introduction In Buddhist teachings, the three mental poisons—also referred to as the three fires or three unwholesome roots— make reference to ignorance, greed, and aversion; the poisonous states of mind that create, sustain, and perpetuate non-virtuous and unskillful thoughts and actions. The three mental poisons demonstrate how dangerous and destructive thoughts and feelings can be …
Upaya
The Sanskrit term upaya is typically translated to “skillful means,” “expedient means,” or “skillful methods.” Upaya plays a central role in a bodhisattva’s path to enlightment. What is upaya? … As well as greed, hatred, and delusion there are then their opposites, namely non-attachment, loving kindness, and wisdom. Were it not for these there would …
Karma & Merit
Karma is derived from the Sanskrit word “Karman,” which translates to action or deed. The doctrine of karma implies that the actions of an individual leave a karmic residue, where events in the past, as well as events in the present determine future contingencies. Therefore, “sow a thought to reap an act. Sow an act …
Mantra
Overview A mantra (typically translated from Sanskrit as “spell,” “charm,” or “magic formula”) is a sacred utterance or syllable that is contemplated or recited which is believed to be highly charged and powerful (Coop 1). While mantras are typically uttered, chanted, or contemplated in Sanskrit, they do not necessarily have a semantic meaning and their …
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 …
