Buddhism A to Z is arranged in dictionary format and contains information on basic Buddhist concepts and lists. It can be used as a reference when reading Buddhist texts, and it can also function as an introduction to Buddhism [See ‘introductory readings’ sidebar]. It was especially designed as an aid for readers of the publications of the Buddhist Text Translation Society [BTTS], and the larger portion of the material presented consists of selections from BTTS publications.

This resource is meant to provide basic information about Buddhism for students and others who have personal interest. The scope of the information found in the entries is not exhaustive. Many of the entries have an open-ended quality to them. The intent is to spur the interest of the reader to investigate further.

Ronald Epstein
Dharma Realm Buddhist University

The following conventions have been adopted:

1. All quotations from canonical works have been indented
   
2. Quotations not indented and indicated by quotation marks are from modern works
   
3. In quotations from canonical works, if the speaker is not indicated, it is the Buddha Shakyamuni
   
4. In modern works, if the speaker is not indicated, it is the Venerable Master Hsuan-Hua, ninth patriarch of the Wei-Yang Chan lineage and founder and chairperson of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association
   

Each entry will include some or all of the following elements:

1. Entry Title
   
2. Definition of term or listing of members of list
   
3. Short explanatory essay and/or quotations
   
4. Entry references that include the following sections:
   Ch.: Chinese romanizations
   Skt.: Sanskrit equivalents
   Pali: Pali equivalents
   Alternate Translations: Other translations that have been used or proposed for the same term or list
   
5. See Also: Entries that may give additional information on the topic or be of related interest
   
6. BTTS References: References to Buddhist Text Translation Society publications