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 including these markings.
- Sīla-morality
- samādhi-concentration, mastery of the mind
- paññā-wisdom, insight that purifies the mind
- 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
- rāga/lobha-craving
- dosa-aversion
- moha-ignorance
- sammā-vācā – right speech
- sammā-kammanta – right action
- sammā-ājīvā – right livelihood
- sammā-vāyama – right effort
- sammā-sati – right awareness
- sammā-samādhi – right concentration
- sammā-saṅkappa – right thought
- sammā-diṭṭhi – right understanding
- nibbāna – the unconditioned, the ultimate reality which is beyond mind and matter (Sanskrit nirvāṇa)
- suta-mayā paññā – wisdom gained by listening to others
- cintā-mayā paññā – intellectual, analytical understanding
- bhāvanā-mayā paññā – wisdom based on direct personal experience
- aniccā – impermanence
- anattā – egolessness
- dukkha – suffering
- kamma – action; specifically, an action one performs which will have an effect on one’s future (Sanskrit karma)
- the fact of suffering
- the origin of suffering (craving)
- the cessation of suffering
- the path leading to the cessation of suffering
- rūpa – matter; the physical body composed of subatomic particles (kalāpa)
- viññāṇa – consciousness, cognition
- saññā – perception, recognition
- vedanā – sensation
- saṅkhārā – reaction; mental conditioning
- pathavī – earth (solidity, weight)
- āpo – water (fluidity, cohesion)
- vāyo – air (gaseousness, motion)
- tejo – fire (temperature)
- kāmacchanda – craving
- vyāpāda – aversion
- thina-middha – physical sloth and mental torpor
- uddhacca-kukkucca – agitation and worry
- vicikicchā – doubt, uncertainty
- saddhā – confidence
- vīriya – effort
- sati – awareness
- samādhi – concentration
- paññā – wisdom
- food
- environment/atmosphere
- a present mental reaction
- a past mental reaction
- mettā – selfless love
- karuṇā – compassion
- muditā – sympathetic joy
- upekkhā – equanimity
- Satipaṭṭhāna – the establishing of awareness; synonym for Vipassana
- kāyānupassanā – observation of the body
- vedanānupassanā – observation of bodily sensations
- cittānupassanā – observation of the mind
- dhammānupassanā – observation of mental contents
- nekkhamma – renunciation
- sīla – morality
- vīriya – effort
- khantī – tolerance
- sacca – truthfulness
- adhiṭṭhāna – strong determination
- paññā – wisdom
- upekkhā – equanimity
- mettā – selfless love
- dāna – generosity; donation
Bhavatu sabba maṅgalaṃ – May all beings be happy!
Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu – weIl said, well done; we agree, we share this wish
