Tattva

Tattva (Sanskrit, (that-ness») In Buddhism tattva does not carry the same technical philosophical connotation as in other Eastern religions. The proto-Mahayanist Prajnaptivadins defined tattva as the real phenomenon that underlies concept (prajnapti).

Skandhas

Skandhas (Sanskrit, «group»; Pali, khandhas means aggregate, quantity and multitude. In Buddhism the five aggregations that constitute the human appearance (nama-rupa) mental and physical existence, which are (i) rupa, material composition; (ii) vedana, sensing, including sensing

Prayer Wheel

Prayer wheel  also known as mani wheel is a cylinder used in Tibetan Buddhism, and other Hindu religions, externally inscribed with a mantra, frequently, «Om mani padme hum,» and contains scrolls on

Pali

Pali is the language of the Hinayana or Theravada Buddhism, a derivative of Sanskrit. It was the ancient language of the Vedic Aryan peoples, native to the indian subcontinent and in its

Nibbana

Nibbana (Pali, from Sanskrit nirvana) is a Buddhist term, which definition is different from the Hindu term nirvana. While some Buddhist interpret nibbana in a similar manner as Hindus, that is, «dying

Moksa

Moksa, Sanskrit of moksha, also known as vimoskha in Hinduism it is the liberation from the stream-current of life, the chains of karma. (Moksha can also be referred to as mukti.) Moksa is

Mantra

Definition Generically mantra refers to sacred words or syllables used repeatedly in religious and ceremonial rituals. The term «mantra» is derived from Sanskrit man, «mind,» and tra, «to deliver.» Generally the mantra is considered

Manas

Definition Manas, (Sanskrit, «mind») in Sanskrit means literature, mind, the coordinating organ of intelligence, thought, understanding, perception, and will. In Vedic times manas meant the individual spirit and the basis of speech

Karma

What is Karma is Sanskrit for «deed.» In both Hinduism and Buddhism  the definition of karma includes an individual’s physical and mental actions which determine the consequences of the person’s

Dukkha

Dukkha, or duhkha (Pali, Sanskrit) is one of the most important concepts in Buddhism. It is the second of the Three Marks of Existence in Buddhism and is subject to the Four Noble Truths.

Dhamma cakka

Dhamma-cakka, or dhamma-cakra, (Pali, Sanskrit) «The Wheel of the Doctrine,» represents the motif of the many spoke-wheel which is the distinctive symbol of Buddhism. It originally signified the Buddha’s act of

Buddhism Cosmology

The skepticism about creator god in Indian religions was even carried to further extremes in Buddhism. The gods, and there are many in Buddhism, are subject to death and rebirth, thus

Circumambulation

Circumambulation (latin circum + ambulation)  is the movement around a holy object, or of a holy object. The completion of a circle of protection, or of community, creates an integrity that is otherwise

Buddhi

Buddhi (Sanskrit, «intellect») in Sanskrit (Hindu) literature is the higher mental faculty, the instrument of knowledge, discerment, and decision. Buddhi is comprehended slightly different in different philosophical systems. On the

Atman

Atman, (Sanskrit «self breath») as a term has several meanings, in the profoundest sense means self, pure consciousness, the «universal selfhood» that is the same in each individual entity whether

Anicca

Anicca (Pali, Sanskrit, «impermanent » or «not enduring»), or Anitya (Sanskrit) is of the Three Marks of Existence in Buddhism. The teaching of the impermanence or transitorness of all things is central to the

Anatta

Anatta (Pali, Sanskrit, anatman, «no-self») is a fundamental precept in Buddhism. It’s meaning is that since there is no substantial reality to be found in or underlying appearances, there cannot be a