Glossary | The Sword of Wisdom

ARHAT (“Noble one”) In Buddhist tradition, especially Theravadin, the Arhat has completed the course of Buddhist practice, and has attained full liberation, or Nirvana. As such the Arhat is no longer subject to rebirth and death. The Mahayana tradition regards the Arhat as a less than perfect ideal, in comparison to that of the Bodhisattva who vows to postpone his own liberation until all sentient beings are delivered. See “BODHISATTVA.”AVICI KARMA Retribution for any of the five unpardonable sins by rebirth in the Avici hell, one of the eight hot hells, in which suffering continues without termination.

BHUMI The bhumis (earth, region, plane or level) are the stages of the Bodhisattva’s career on his way to enlightenment. The tenth, or highest, bhumi is called “Cloud of Dharma”, where the Bodhisattva enters the stage of abhiseka (initiation) and experiences many great samadhis, and many other accomplishments.BODHI Enlightenment; function of wisdom.BODHISATTVA The role model in the Mahayana tradition. The Bodhisattva is a being who vows to remain in the world life after life, postponing his own full liberation until all other living beings are delivered.BUDDHA The Supremely Enlightened One. See ‘THREE JEWELS.”BUDDHA DHARMA The truths and teaching of Buddhism; the Dharma as taught by the Buddha. See “DHARMA.”BUDDHA-NATURE A term to describe the underlying nature which pervades everything sentient and non-sentient. Actually, it is inexplicable, as it transcends all descriptions and dualities.

CH’AN (Japanese: zen) The Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit word dhyana. Generally, the term refers to the cultivation or experience of meditative states as means for attaining enlightenment. Specifically, the term refers to the school of Chinese Buddhism known as Ch’an. In this context Ch’an also refers to the direct experience of prajna, or insight. Being within the Mahayana tradition, the Ch’an school, while emphasizing meditation, took the Bodhisattva ideal as the realization of Buddhist practice. In Japan, the practice and school became known as Zen.
DHARMA Dharma has two basic meanings. With an upper case “D, ” Dharma means the Buddhist “Law” or “Teaching.” With a lower case “d, ” dharma simply refers to a thing or object, a physical or mental phenomenon. See ‘THREE JEWELS.”DHARMA BODY (Dharmakaya) One of the three bodies of the Buddha: the body of ultimate truth. See “RETRIBUTION BODY” and “TRANSFORMATION BODY.”DHYANA A Sanskrit term designating certain states of meditative absorption cultivated by buddhist practitioners as a technique for attaining enlightenment. See “CH’AN”

HINAYANA The “lesser vehicle” of the sravakas (hearers of Buddha’s teaching) and Arhats who strive mainly for their own personal liberation. In contrast, Mahayana, or the “great vehicle, ” is the broader teaching of the Bodhisattva who, out of compassion, put his own salvation last and uses all available means to save sentient beings. (Hinayana is sometimes used to refer to Theravada, the form of Buddhism practiced in Southeast Asian countries.)HUA-T’OU (Japanese: wato) Literally, the source of words (before they are uttered), a method used in the Ch’an school to arouse the doubt sensation. The practitioner meditates on such baffling questions as: “What is Wu?” “Where am I?” or “Who is reciting the Buddha’s name?” He does not rely on experience, logic, or reasoning. Often, these phrases are taken from kung-ans, at other times, they are spontaneously generated by the practitioner. The term “hua-t’ou” is often used interchangeably with “kung-an.” See “KUNG-AN.”

KALPAS Symbolically, it represents an unimaginably long period of time.KARMA Basically, the law of cause and effect to which all sentient beings, indeed, all things, are subject. Also, the cumulative causal situation affecting one’s destiny as a result of past acts, thoughts, emotions.KUNG-AN (Japanese: koan) Literally, a “public case, ” as in a law case. Ch’an method of meditation in which the practitioner energetically and single-mindedly pursues the answer to an enigmatic question posed by his master, or which arises spontaneously. The question can only be answered by abandoning logic and reasoning, and by intuitively resolving the “doubt sensation” which gave rise to the question. Famous kung-an encounters were recorded and used by masters to test their disciples’ understanding, or to arouse in them the enlightenment experience. The term “kung-an” is often used interchangeably with “hua-t’ou.” See “HUA T’OU.”

MAHAYANA The “Great Vehicle” whose followers vow to attain Supreme Enlightenment for the sake of delivering all other sentient beings from suffering. See “BODHISATTVA” and “HINAYANA.”

NIRVANA Total extinction of desire and suffering, the state of liberation through Full Enlightenment.

PARAMITAS “Perfections” or ways for “reaching the other shore.”PRATYEKABUDDHA A self-enlightened being, one who has attained enlightenment by contemplating dependent origination.
RETRIBUTION BODY (Sambhogakaya) One of the three bodies of the Buddha: reward or enjoyment body. See “DHARMA BODY” and ‘TRANSFORMATION BODY.”

SAMADHI Like dhyana, samadhi also refers to states of meditative absorption, but is a broader and more generic term than dhyana. Although numerous specific samadhis are mentioned in Buddhist scriptures, the term “samadhi” itself is flexible and not as specific as dhyana. In this book it refers to the state of “one mind, ” or expanded sense of self ─ a unity of mind and body, self and environment.SAMSARA The relentless cycle of birth and death and suffering in which ordinary, unenlightened sentient beings are deeply entangled.SANGHA Buddhist community. See “THREE JEWELS.”SRAVAKAS Associated with the Hinayana tradition. Literally “sound-hearer, ” one who has heard the Buddha’s teaching and attained the first of the four levels of Arhatship.SUTRAS Generally, scriptures. Specifically, the recorded teachings of the Buddha. The distinctive mark of a Buddhist sutra is the opening line, “Thus have I heard.” This indicates that what follows are the direct teachings of Buddha, as remembered and recorded by his disciples.

TATHAGATA Literally, “Thus-Come One, ” a title of the Buddha.TATHAGATAGARBHA Womb, or store of the Tathagata ─ the potentiality of buddhahood in each sentient being.THREE JEWELS Collective term referring to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Buddha refers to the historical founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni. Dharma is the truth realized by the Buddha, transmitted in the scriptures, and through a lineage of enlightened masters. Sangha is the Buddhist community, originally Sakyamuni Buddha’s immediate disciples. In a limited sense it consists of Buddhist monks, nuns, and disciples; in a broader sense it includes all persons connected through belief in and practice of Buddhism. “Taking refuge” in the Three Jewels confirms one as a Buddhist practitioner. Faith in the Three Jewels is the recognition that Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are all contained within all sentient beings.TRANSFORMATION BODY (Nirmanakaya) One of the three bodies of the Buddha: the form that a Buddha manifests to facilitate the deliverance of sentient beings. See “DHARMA BODY” and “RETRIBUTION BODY.”

VAJRA Diamond; indestructable. VINAYA The collection of prohibitions and ethical prescriptions, along with their explanations, that define the code of discipline for Buddhist monks and nuns.

PREVIOUS: Day 5 Faith in Self, Faith in Method, Faith in Dharma | The Sword of Wisdom
NEXT: Zen Wisdom