Helpful Terms
Amitabha Buddha (Chinese: Amituofo) is the Buddha of Limitless Light. In the past, Amitabha Buddha was a cultivator who, after seeing how difficult it was to cultivate in this world, made forty-eight vows to create a Land of Ultimate Bliss where people can cultivate more easily and progress on the spiritual path. By being mindful of Amitabha Buddha, people have the opportunity to go to his Land of Ultimate Bliss after this life. Although less well known in America, the Pure Land practice is very popular in Asia. In fact, in the monastery, people often greet each other with palms together saying, Amituofo.
Bodhisattva can
be split into two parts Bodhi means
awakened and sattva means being.
Together, a Bodhisattva means an awakened
being or a being who awakens others.
Bodhi Resolve is the resolve to become a Buddha for the sake of all living beings.
Buddha refers to someone who is completely awake and sees thing as they truly are. The Buddha has put an end to the three poisons: greed, hatred, and delusion.
Buddha-nature is the innate, inherent potential to become a Buddha that resides in the mind of every living being.
Cultivation essentially means practice. Spiritual practice is very similar to cultivating and tending a garden. One first needs to prepare the soil, clear out the weeds, plant the seeds, water them everyday, and finally after some time the seeds grow. Cultivation captures the principle of patience and everyday hard work required in gaining the fruits of Buddhist practice.
Dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha. Another meaning is the reality that the Buddha realized upon enlightenment.
Dharma Realm encompasses the entire universe ad infinitum. Buddhist cosmology does not speak simply of one world, or one universe, but rather speaks of world-systems upon world-systems extending beyond the bounds of space and time. Yet this infinite reality is not beyond a single thought in the mind.
Dharma Protectors are beings who dedicate themselves to protecting the Dharma. Many lay people who support and protect the monastery are considered Dharma Protectors. Dharma Protectors can also refer to spiritual beings, who protect the monastery and people who are sincerely cultivating the Way.
Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, right aspiration, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
False Thinking is having scattered and random thoughts that cover up our inherent wisdom. By developing a single-pointed mind from practice, we can pentrate through the myriad false thoughts and see reality as it is.
Karma refers to mental, physical, and verbal deeds, each of which are causes that will bring about a corresponding results in the future. Ultimately, there is no fate and each person can mold their own destiny. Karma implies a radical responsibility for our lives and actions.
Namo has multiple meanings, two of which are homage or I return to. This is often used in chants such as Namo Amituofo.
Sangha literally means community, and in the context of Buddhism, it refers to the ordained monastics.
Shakyamuni Buddha is the name of the historical Buddha who lived in India. Shakyamuni literally means sage (muni) of the Shakyan clan.
Sutras are the teachings of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas. or other awakened beings certified by the Buddha.
The Three Refuges / Triple Jewel refers to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. They are refuges in the sense that they are dependable guides that one can rely on in life. They are also called jewels because they are considered rare and precious.
