Buddhism and Jainism Vocabulary - Book Report/Review Example

First Last Dr. TeacherFirst TeacherLast 13 July Buddism and Jainism Vocabulary Abhidhamma: Some centuries after Buddha died, Buddhists began to compile the teachings in new ways of organization that highlighted their significance. This compilation is called Abhidhamma (or Abhidharma). Later, Abhidhamma texts themselves became revered and also formed an integral part of Theravada Buddhism canon. 2. Arhat: In Jainism and Buddhism, this term is used for those practitioners who have attained the highest level of spiritual enlightenment. 3. Bodhi: This term is sometimes referred to the process of awakening (literal translation of Bodhi) that leads to understanding of the truth. At other times, it is referred to as the final step of awakening or enlightenment that leads to nirvana. 4. Bodhisattva: Refers to a person who is on the path of Bodhi. Rooted in Buddha’s sayings in which he uses this word to describe himself in earlier life as he was on the road to enlightenment. 5. Buddha: Particularly used as an epithet for Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhist religion. In general terms, used for such individuals who attain nirvana and therefore free themselves from all material needs and the cycle of life and death and subsequently teach their knowledge to others. 6. Dharma: In Buddhism, this refers to the doctrine and collection of teachings of Buddha that form the natural and uniform laws of conduct and being. In Jainism, it refers to the natural inclination of an object to perform its pre-ordained function. Used for the soul, it refers to the virtues that lead to attaining spiritual greatness. 7. Eightfold Path: This is the fourth of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism and signifies the path one takes to end suffering. The elements of the Eightfold Path deal with understanding or wisdom of reality, ethics, and concentration to control one’s mind, all culminating in the elimination of greed, hatred and other undesirable attitudes. 8. Four Noble Truths: Fundamental to Buddhist beliefs, the Four Noble Truths were delivered by Buddha in his first sermon to his five companions after his enlightenment, or reaching Bodhi. These truths are existence of suffering such as birth, death or illness, causes of suffering such as desire and pleasure, elimination of suffering such as by renouncing desire and craving, and the path that leads to elimination of suffering. 9. Hinayana: Literary meaning “Lesser Vehicle”, this term was applied to the ancient schools of Buddhism in an uncomplimentary sense by followers of Mahayana (literal meaning “Greater Vehicle”) school of thought. Today some argue that the present Theravadins are close to the Hinayana traditions while others dispute it. 10. Mahayana: The Mahayana school of thought in Buddhism is traced to the beginning of the Common Era when it began as a religious movement in India and later spread to Central and East Asia. Today, the Buddhism practiced in Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam is influenced by the Mahayana traditions. 11. Nirvana: In Buddhism, nirvana signifies the stage where one loses all suffering and has reached the highest spiritual enlightenment. This is achieved when all material desires and feelings are shed away and the person is free from the cycle of life and death. In Jainism, Nirvana is defined differently in that it is achieved when an Arhat separates the soul from Karmas by a ritual suicide resulting in liberation. 12. Sangha: In Buddhist traditions, living a monastic life is the most appropriate means to acquire spiritual enhancements. As an integral part of Threefold Refuge belief, monks, nums, laymen, and laywomen live and move together in monastic communities called Sanghas. 13. Sthavira: This was one of the two earliest Buddhist schools of thought and was more orthodox in nature. The other group was Mahasamghika. The Sthaviras claimed their teachings to be directly derived from Buddha’s teachings. Present day Theravadins believe themselves to be descendants of Sthaviras. 14. Sunya: Sunya means “empty” in Sanskrit and Sunyata means “emptiness”. This is one of the doctrines of Buddhism in which emptiness forms the ultimate reality out of which all forms evolve. Reaching into this emptiness and gaining insight gives inner peace. 15. Theravada: Theravada is the Buddhist sect followed by majority of Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand. It is also prevalent in other parts of the world being spread through diasporas. Theravadins follow the earliest Pali scriptures and claim to be descendants of the Sthaviras. 16. Three Jewels of Buddhism: Also called the Three Refuges, or Threefold Refuges, the Three Jewels of Buddhism form the underpinnings of Buddhist faith. These Jewels refer to the Buddha, his teachings (Dharma), and the community of his followers (Sangha). 17. Tripitaka: Literally meaning “three baskets”, Tipitaka is used by Buddhists to refer to the canon of Buddhist scriptures. The three baskets, or parts, are Vinayapitaka (Basket of Discipline), Suttapitaka (Basket of the Discourses), and Abhidhammapitaka (Basket Concerning the Teaching). 18. Upaya Kausalya: This literally means “Skillful means” and is used more frequently in the Mahayana school of thought. Upaya Kausalya means that a bodhisattva skillfully guides a devotee to release from suffering with only as much truth as is practically needed at the time. This entails a degree of expediency but takes the devotee on the right path to dharma. 19. Vinaya: Vinaya, or Vinaya Pitaka, is one of the three texts that form the Tripitaka, the canon of Buddhist scriptures. Vinaya deals with discipline and describes the rules of behavior that monks and nuns must follow in their monastic life. There is little difference in various sects of Buddhism as far as Vinaya is concerned. 20. Jina: The word means “conqueror” and, in Jainism, is used to refer to one who has conquered all karma including love, hate, pain, desire, and other material and physical needs to allow the soul to reach the truth. Having reached the truth, Jinas become role models for Jains and their teachings form part of the canon of Jain scripture. The term Jina is used interchangeably with Tirthankar. 21. Tirthankar: Literally meaning “ford maker” in Sanskrit. In Jainism, Tirthankar is used to refer to one who has conquered all karma including love, hate, pain, desire, and other material and physical needs to allow the soul to reach the truth. Having reached the truth, Tirthankars become role models for Jains and their teachings form part of the canon of Jain scripture. The term Tirthankar is used interchangeably with Jina. 22. Mahavira: Mahavira was the last Tirthankar to appear in this world and is regarded as the twenty fourth in the line of Tirthankars. He was born in 599 BC and was named Vardhamana by his parents. Soon after, it is said that gods called him Mahavira, the great hero, an epithet he is known as till today. He is considered the founder of present day Jain religion and was instrumental in systematically laying down the religious teachings. 23. Karma: In Jainism, Karma is said to be the cause of the cycle of birth and death. In the concept of good and evil, negative Karma results from all violent or self serving actions. Unlike other beliefs, Jains believe Karma to be an invisible substance that attaches itself to the soul whenever negative Karma is accumulated. This material holds back the soul and is the cause of reincarnations. Central to Jainism beliefs is the requirement to fend off new negative Karma while at the same time getting rid of the Karma already present. This is done through a process of purification. 24. Jiva: Jiva is the essence of life or the soul according to Jain tradition. It is Jiva to which Karma attaches itself to making it enter a cycle of birth and rebirth. When rid of Karma, Jiva attains purity and rises to the top of universe never to be reborn. 25. Ajiva: As opposed to Jiva, Ajiva represents all the non living substance. Ajiva can take a visible or an invisible form. The Karma particles that attach to Jiva are a form of Ajiva. 26. Siddha: As one achieves absolute purity from all Karma, he becomes Siddha and is liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth. A Siddha holds the highest position in the universe and has no body and is free from disease, sorrow, and worldly needs. 27. Ahimsa: Ahimsa is central to Jain beliefs and is the practice of non-violence against any other living organism. Thus Jains are vegetarians as meat is obtained by killing an animal. Any vegetable that requires the entire plant to be uprooted is also avoided. Monks who follow the greater vows also cover their mouths and nose with cloth lest they may ingest even a microbial living thing. Non-violence is not limited to physical forms, but also covers verbal language and mental thoughts. 28. Brahmacharya: Brahmacharya is the fifth of the five vows in Jain code of conduct. Brahmacharya is the abstinence from sexual relationship or intent. 29. Satya: One of the five fundamental vows in Jainism meaning “truthfulness”. 30. Asteya: One of the five fundamental vows in Jainism meaning “not to steal”. 31. Aparigraha: One of the five fundamental vows in Jainism meaning “non-possessiveness”. This entails avoiding the collection of material possessions. 32. Desh Nirjara: The literal meaning of Nirjara is “falling off”. This refers to removal of Karmas from the soul. Desh Nirjara means limited removal of Karmas from the soul. 33. Sarva Nirjara: The literal meaning of Nirjara is “falling off”. This refers to removal of Karmas from the soul. Sarva Nirjara means complete removal of Karmas from the soul. 34. Digambara: This is one of the two major sects in Jainism. Digambara means “sky clothed” meaning naked. The Digambara monks wear no clothes. The fundamental difference with the other Jain sect is in their rituals and mythology other than wearing no clothes. 35. Svetambara: This is one of the two major sects in Jainism. Svetambara means “white clothed”. The Svetambara monks believe that wearing no clothes is no longer practical and therefore wear white robes as opposed to Digambara monks who wear nothing. As mentioned for Digambara, there is little difference with the other sect except in rituals and some mythology. Read More