Buddhist Concepts

Non-self — one of the Three Marks of Existence and a distinguishing doctrine of Buddhism. There is no permanent, unchanging …

Impermanence — one of the Three Marks of Existence. All conditioned phenomena are transient: they arise, persist briefly, and pass …

The awakening mind — the aspiration to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. In Mahayana Buddhism, generating …

A term with multiple meanings in Buddhism: (1) The teachings of the Buddha; (2) The truth or natural law that …

Suffering, unsatisfactoriness, or stress — the first Noble Truth. Three types: (1) ordinary suffering (pain, grief, distress); (2) suffering due …

The foundational teaching of Buddhism, proclaimed by the Buddha in his first sermon at Deer Park (Sarnath). The four truths …

The law of moral causation: intentional actions (through body, speech, and mind) produce results that shape future experience. Wholesome actions …

The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice — the extinguishing of the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion. It represents the …

The path leading to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of nirvana. Its eight factors are grouped into three …

The community of Buddhist practitioners. In the narrower sense, the noble Sangha consists of those who have attained stages of …

The beginningless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by karma and craving. Beings wander through six realms (gods, demigods, …

Compassion — one of the Four Brahmaviharas. The wish for all beings to be free from suffering. In Mahayana Buddhism, …

Loving-kindness — one of the Four Brahmaviharas (divine abodes). The wish for all beings to be happy and well. Metta …

Sympathetic joy — one of the Four Brahmaviharas. The ability to rejoice in others' good fortune, success, and happiness. It …

Equanimity — one of the Four Brahmaviharas and one of the Seven Factors of Awakening. An even-minded, balanced awareness that …