Property:Glossary-PopUpBeginnerDefinition
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The Buddhist teaching of "non-self" or "selflessness"—the understanding that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul within living beings. Along with impermanence (''anitya'') and suffering (''duḥkha''), it is one of the three marks of existence that characterize all conditioned phenomena. +
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The profound wish for all sentient beings to be free from suffering and the causes of suffering. It is a core virtue in Buddhism and, in the Mahāyāna tradition, develops into 'great compassion' (''mahākaruṇā''), the driving force behind the pursuit of enlightenment for the benefit of others. +
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Inference (Skt. ''anumāna'' +, T. ''rjes dpag'') is a way of knowing something indirectly, using logic and reasoning rather than direct experience. For example, if you see smoke rising from a distant mountain, you can infer that there is a fire there, even if you can't see the fire directly yourself. It's a key way to understand things that are hidden from our senses. It is used in the Buddhist tradition to gain insight into deeper levels of reality of self and phenomena. +
A foundational Mahāyāna Buddhist ritual known as 'Supreme Worship' or the 'Seven-Branch Service.' It consists of seven parts—such as prostrating, making offerings, and confessing mistakes—designed to clear away negative energy and build the positive mental conditions needed for spiritual progress. +
A state of being careful and attentive in one's actions, words, and thoughts. It means staying alert to avoid doing things that cause harm and focusing on what is helpful and virtuous. It is often called the 'path to the deathless' because it prevents the mind from wandering into negative habits. +
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The direct realization of the true nature of reality, specifically emptiness, as an essential part of the path to enlightenment for the sake of all beings. +
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The Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings), and the Saṅgha (the spiritual community)—are the three central objects of refuge and inspiration for all Buddhists. +
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Vigilance or alertness is the mental function that monitors one's thoughts, speech, and physical actions to ensure they stay on the right path and avoid harmful distractions. +
Relative bodhicitta (Skt. ''saṃvṛtibodhicitta'' +, T. ''kun rdzob byang chub kyi sems'') is the altruistic wish to become a fully enlightened Buddha in order to help all other beings who are suffering. It has two aspects: the strong wish and aspiration to become enlightened, and then actually engaging in the practices of the bodhisattva that lead to Buddhahood, like generosity and patience. +
The Buddhist practice of ethical behavior, like being honest, kind, and not harming others. It means following guidelines for good conduct, which helps calm the mind and live a wholesome life. It is the first of the Three Higher Trainings (''triśikṣā'': ''śīla'', ''samādhi'', ''prajñā''), and the second of the six perfections (''pāramitā''s). In daily practice, śīla is cultivated through mindful attention to one's actions, regular reflection on precepts, and the development of wholesome habits. +
