Questions tagged [terminology]
The study of terms and their use. Specifically this will include requests for clarification of Buddhist terms and comparisons of terms within or between traditions.
56
questions
10
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What is effluent?
The Brahmana Sutta, for example, mentions "effluent":
So it is with an arahant whose mental effluents are ended ...
Or in Adhimutta,
One gone to the far shore
without clinging
without ...
- 47.1k
16
votes
2
answers
1k
views
English (or other European) translations of Pali Canon
Perhaps this should be closed as a 'shopping' question, but maybe translations take a long time to make and therefore there are not too many of them, and they don't go out of date quickly.
The ...
- 47.1k
14
votes
6
answers
2k
views
What are the differences/similarities in the concept of faith as used in Buddhism and Christianity?
There is the concept of faith (śraddhā) in Buddhism. There is also the concept of faith found in Christianity. Both concepts have been translated into the English word faith but in what ways are the ...
- 21.1k
11
votes
7
answers
6k
views
What is the difference between Vijñāna, Manas and Citta?
Together they refer to one's mental processes as a whole. Separately, what are they and how are they different?
- 1,805
14
votes
9
answers
13k
views
Why does the Buddha call himself the Tathāgata?
Questions in the title. What is the significance of this term and how it is used by the Buddha in the suttas?
- 2,018
6
votes
2
answers
969
views
What does Nonduality correspond to in Buddhism?
There is not [was not] a tag for nonduality. Would someone please make a correspondence between nonduality and Buddhism as to "stage" or "attainment", qualifications, or whatever is applicable?
EDIT: ...
user2341
5
votes
9
answers
6k
views
What does deathless mean?
The word "deathless" is used sometimes.
What does it mean? Are there non-obvious or non-English meanings to the words translated as 'death' and/or 'deathless'?
Similarly what does "attaining the ...
- 47.1k
7
votes
5
answers
518
views
Is there a better term than Hinayana?
I'm aware that using the term Hinayana isn't ideal as it has derogatory undertones - being coined by the Mahayana school to differentiate themselves from what had gone on before. The implication being ...
- 21.1k
8
votes
5
answers
668
views
Conventional versus Ultimate
People sometimes qualify their statements, by adding the word, "conventionally" — and people distinguish between Conventional Truth (Sammuti Sacca) versus Ultimate Truth (Paramattha Sacca).
...
- 47.1k
6
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What is Sat-Dharma?
In this answer Sat-Dharma is referred to. I can kind of get the meaning from the context but what exactly is Sat-Dharma? What is the 'Sat' part. Why not just refer to the Dharma? Does it have ...
- 21.1k
16
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What exactly is Jhana?
What exactly is the theory of jhana, how does it come about and how does it relate to the buddhist practice and everyday life?
feel free to answer in depth.
- 465
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the difference between craving and clinging?
Considering the 12 nidanas
Ignorance
Mental Volitions
Consciousness
"Name" and "Form"
The six senses
Contact
Feelings
Craving
Clinging
Becoming
Birth
Suffering and Death
What is the difference ...
- 21.1k
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is tathata?
Tathata has been described as the ultimate goal of Buddhism. What is tathata? What is the closest thing we experience in everyday life close to tathata? How can we attain knowledge of tathata?
- 265
10
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Was the Buddha harsh?
"And to whom, worthless man, do you understand me to have taught the Dhamma like that? Haven't I, in many ways, said of dependently co-arisen consciousness, 'Apart from a requisite condition, there is ...
user382
9
votes
7
answers
1k
views
What are the three marks of existence?
What are the three marks of existence and where are they found in the canon? Is there any fundamental differences in interpretation among the different traditions?
- 1,805
7
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What is the difference between an arhat, bodhisattva and a buddha?
What is the difference between an arhat, a bodhisattva and a buddha? References to the scriptures would be most helpful.
I'm open to both Theravada and Mahayana perspectives.
- 295
7
votes
10
answers
10k
views
What is Nirodha?
I came across the concept of Nirodha in the book The Meditative Mind by Daniel Goleman. I think it's originally from the Visuddhimagga. In the book it seems to be placed above Nirvana in the path of ...
- 21.1k
6
votes
3
answers
376
views
What are 'suttas of indirect meaning' in the Pali canon?
This subsection of Wikipedia's Two Truths article says that the "two truths" distinction is not made in the suttas, but that there are some "suttas of indirect meaning".
Two ...
- 47.1k
5
votes
5
answers
484
views
What does "intention" mean?
I see two Pali words which are translated into English as "intention":
Cetanā used in the definition of karma
Sankappa used in the definition of the Noble Eightfold Way.
Do these two words mean ...
- 47.1k
2
votes
3
answers
281
views
What is the meaning of *suffering*?
What is the meaning of the word suffering or (pali) dukkha when it is referred to in topics around Dhamma and Vinaya or Buddhism?
user7586
8
votes
8
answers
3k
views
What is a pandaka?
I can understand that within the social context of the historical Buddha, being homosexual or bisexual could have possibly been damaging to the Sangha's image as there is still a lot of gay/bisexual/...
8
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Is Satori the same as Enlightenment?
Is the Zen term Satori the same as enlightenment or does it have different nuances or emphasis over what is commonly meant by enlightenment in non-Zen texts. If it is the same then why is used at all. ...
- 21.1k
7
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What is dry insight?
Following up from this answer - What is 'dry insight' exactly and how does it work. Is it a practice that someone will activity engage in or is it something that just happens to someone - a flash of ...
- 21.1k
6
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Meaning of 'kalapas'
What did the Buddha really meant with 'kalapas' (those ultra small particles of existence, that arise and pass away at an incredible speed)?
Is there a correlation between those kalapas and the ...
- 2,282
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the difference between kilesas and asavas?
What is the difference between kilesas and asavas? Or are they synonyms?
- 2,282
8
votes
3
answers
751
views
Why is the first lines of the Dhammapada twin verses sometimes translated using the word 'heart'?
In most of the translations of the Dhammapada I have read the first lines of the Twin Verses (first chapter) are rendered using the words mind or thoughts. For instance this translation by ...
- 21.1k
8
votes
3
answers
975
views
What is the definition of passa ?
The answer on this question mentions passa in the comments.
Having never encountered the term in my studies, what is an overview of the term? What school of Buddhism does it originate from?
- 2,527
6
votes
4
answers
661
views
What is attachment as per Buddhism?
Is attachment some kind of love? Parental love, a smile that comes when we get a glance of a toddler, when we spent money on good for our beloved one's then that time what is it?
As per my perception ...
- 1,502
6
votes
3
answers
424
views
Tathagatagarbha and dhammakaya
Can we consider 'tathagatagarbha' and 'dhammakaya' as synonyms? If not, what is the difference between those words.
- 2,282
6
votes
4
answers
840
views
In the five paramitas, what is patience and why is it on the list?
I understand the English dictionary definition of patience, the ability to wait.
When reading about the paramitas, it seems like this word in the original language covered forbearance, i.e. the ...
- 7,153
6
votes
4
answers
310
views
Is Theravada Buddhism the only modern representative of Hinayana Buddhism?
Apologies for the term Hinayana but this question is borne out of those discussions.
So - is Theravada Buddhism the only modern representative on Hinayana Buddhism or are there another current ...
- 21.1k
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Trouble understanding the notion of interconnectedness
I started meditating regularly a few months agowith the aim of practising mindfulness, primarily using Headspace. I also read Sam Harris' Waking Up and listened to the Science of Mindfulness ...
- 141
3
votes
1
answer
132
views
Buddhist point of view in the research process
I'm looking for some texts where the Buddha explains the nature of mind in relation with the process of learning/researching. I was reading a quote by a famous mathematician known to be very ...
- 133
3
votes
4
answers
503
views
What does the word "world" mean in the Buddhist context?
The Hemawatha Sutta Is a (very old)? sutta in "Sutha Nipatha" of KN, Just after the first sermon of "Dammachakka". 'Hemawata' (General of yakka's ) is also a listener of that. He ...
- 1,601
2
votes
2
answers
441
views
What’s the difference between yathābhūta and yathābhūtaṃ?
I’ve been reading about this term and have found it written in both ways. I don’t know if the difference is related to some kind of verb form.
- 23
14
votes
8
answers
4k
views
What is Navayana Buddhism?
Recently, I found out there is a new branch of Buddhism called the Navayana. I read the article on Wikipedia but it did not say too much. What is Navayana Buddhism and what type of practices does it ...
- 2,199
9
votes
6
answers
1k
views
What, precisely, is kamma/karma?
In Buddhist doctrine there is always the problem, that for the sake of understandability, certain concepts are being presented in a solid, substantial way, while actually, one has to keep in the back ...
- 1,584
6
votes
2
answers
358
views
Nine different ways the word ‘Mind’ is used?
I was reading a comment on this answer and it mentioned the word mind being used in nine different ways.
Comment below :
If you learn to apply episteme, the way Foucault, Derrida, and Kant had
...
- 2,527
6
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What are the Pali or Sanskrit words for these things?
I think I know some of these, but the rest are a translation muddle. The west seems to not attempt to translate nirvana, sangha, dharma, mantra, mudra, buddha, bodhisattva (and probably a few more) ...
- 7,153
6
votes
1
answer
140
views
What is "stream"
The question is really just that - "What is stream"?
I've recently found this forum, and recently started reading some Buddhist scriptures, and I've seen the term a few times and have no ...
- 819
6
votes
2
answers
638
views
4
votes
1
answer
189
views
What is the Buddhist term for each moment being subtlety unique?
Read it a long time back, I remember it had something to do with someone meditating in a field of grass, and watching the wind go through the individual blades of grass and how they swayed.
It was a ...
- 2,527
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the difference between love, compassion, sympathy and empathy in Buddhism?
The Buddha has been said to be compassion however i have not seen compassion described.
What does it mean to be compassionate?
How is it different to love, sympathy and empathy?
- 1,830
3
votes
3
answers
598
views
What is the appropriate use for the term bhante?
I've noticed on the site that quite a few people address Yuttadhammo as bhante. I'm aware that this means teacher. However in my sangha (Triratna Buddhist Community) the term is used differently. ...
- 21.1k
3
votes
4
answers
215
views
What is a phenomenological perspective?
I have seen in answers on this site (about consciousness in connection with rebirth) that Theravada adhere to a phenomenological perspective on consciousness. Can anyone explain for me what it means ...
- 2,673
3
votes
5
answers
1k
views
What is New Age Buddhism?
I've noticed that we have a tag on the site for New Age Buddhism which has a couple of questions associated with it (one more now I've asked this!). What is New Age Buddhism though. Can anyone give a ...
- 21.1k
3
votes
4
answers
2k
views
The proper meaning of Bhagava
What is the real meaning of Bhagava? Or are there any multiple meanings?
Sutta references are appreciated.
-Metta
- 1,233
3
votes
4
answers
707
views
Sanskrit term for a "Buddhist"
What is the Sanskrit term for a person who is a follower of the Buddha, i.e. a "Buddhist"?
Things I tried: I searched online but couldn't find anything. I looked in the only Sanskrit I have access to,...
- 33
2
votes
2
answers
186
views
Dhamma and Buddha Dhamma
Are the words Dhamma and Buddha Dhamma synonyms? Or are there hidden differences between between both? Are these words used in different circumstances?
- 2,282
2
votes
2
answers
68
views
What does the word Bodhi mean etymologically?
Looking up the Pali bodhi leads to Sanskrit bodhi, which says "perfect knowledge or wisdom", from Proto-Indo European "to be awake". Perfect wisdom and being awake are not the same ...
- 668