佛教专用词汇

Ananda 阿难

One of the Shakyamuni Buddha's Ten Great Disciples. He was first in hearing the Buddha's words. As he had excellent memory, he memorized the Buddha's sermons, which were later recorded as sutras. He was also the cousin of Shakyamuni Budd ha。

Arhat 阿罗汉

Arhat in Sanskrit, Arahat in Pali. Literally, man of worth, honourable one. The re are two kinds of arhats, namely, the Sound-hearing arhat (Sravaka) and the E nlightened-to-condition arhat (Praetyka-Buddha). The former attains the wisdom to understand the Four Noble Truth, while the latter attains the wisdom to unde rstand the Law of Dependent Origination or the Twelve Links of Dependent Origin ation. They represent two vehicles, who "comprehend for their own sake". As they pay attention to themselves and not to others, they are incapable of genuine and equal e nlightenment. There are four noble stages of fruition in the Arhat Path.。

Avalokitesvara 观世音菩萨

Sanskrit word for the Bodhisattva who Hears the Sounds of the World. He rescues all beings by hearing their voices of suffering and cries for help. In Chinese, he is called Guan Shr Yin or Guan Yin Bodhisattva. As one of the Four Great Bo

dhisattva, he is the one with the greatest compassion and mercy, therefore know n as God/Goddess of Mercy.

Guan Yin is one of the triad of Amitabha Buddha, represented on his left, and b eing the future Buddha in the Land of Ultimate Bliss (Pure Land) after Amitabha Buddha.

Guan Yin can transform into many different forms in order to cross over to the beings. Originally represented as a male, the images are now generally those of a female figure. Guan Yin is one of the most popular Bodhisattva in China. Bhiksu 比丘

Bhiksu in Sanskrit, Bhikkhu in Pali. A monk, who has left home, is fully ordain ed to follow the way of the Buddha, and depends on alms for a living.

Bhiksuni 比丘尼

Bhiksuni in Sanskrit, Bhikkhuni in Pali. A nun observing more strict rules than a Bhiksu. See also Bhiksu.

Bodhi 菩提

A term used in both Sanskrit and Pali, meaning perfect wisdom or enlightenment

Bodhidharma 菩提达摩

An Indian missionary monk who came to China in 600 A.D., regarded as the founde r of the Chan (Zen) School of Buddhism in China, i.e. the First Patriarch.

Bodhimandala 道场

A monastery where Bhiksus (monks) and Bhiksunis (nuns) practise and teach the

B uddhist Dharma.

It also generally refers to a holy place of enlightenment; a place for teaching and learning the Dharma; a place where a Bodhisattva appears and where devotee s have glimpses of him.

Bodhisattva 菩萨

Bodhisattva in Sanskrit, Bodhisatta in Pali. A Future Buddha who is a being des tined to Buddhahood. Bodhi means Enlightenment and Sattva means Sentient and Co nscious. Therefore Bodhisattva refers to the sentient being of or for the great wisdom and enlightenment. Bodhisattva's vow/aim is the pursuit of Buddhahood a nd the salvation of others and of all. He seeks enlightenment to enlighten othe rs. He will sacrifice himself to save the others. He is devoid of egoism and de voted to help the others. The way and discipline of Bodhisattva is to benefit t he self and the others, leading to Buddhahood.