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T - Z

Taking Precepts: see Morality.
Tantrayana: Also called Vajrayana. A school of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism. It emphsizes not only meditation but also the use of symbolic rites, gestures, postures, breathing, incantation, and other secret means.
Ten Dharma Realms: also known as ten states of existence, which are
Ten Directions: The eight points of the compass, in addition to the nadir and the zenith.
Ten Good Deeds: The Ten Forms of Good Actions for layman, or Ten Wholesomeness.
Ten Great Disciples of Skakyamuni Buddha: They are:
Ten Great King Vows: The vows of Visvabhadra Bodhisattva:
Ten Meritorious Deeds: The Ten Meritorious Deeds allow people to gain a happy and peaceful life as well as to develop knowledge and understanding. They are:
Ten Offerings: For the material there are ten kinds of offerings in Buddhism:
Ten Paramita: see Paramita.
Ten Powers: The Ten Powers of Buddha or Bodhisattva are the complete knowledge of
Ten Schools of Chinese Buddhism
Ten Stages of Bodhisattva: These are the ten stages of development of Bodhisattva depending on their merits and virtues:
Ten Titles of Buddha: represent the characteristics of Buddha
Ten Vehicles of Meditation: Vehicles is the means to take living beings across from suffering to Nirvana. Though there are ten vehicles, there is only one teaching (Dharma), i.e., Inconceivable Virtues of the Self-mind, and the other nine are supplementary. According to Tien Tai Sect, the ten vehicles are:
Ten Wholesomeness: see Ten Good Deeds.
Theravada: Thera, an elder; a fully ordained monk who has past ten rainy seasons. Theravada is the doctrine of the Theras, i.e. the teaching of Southern Buddhism. It is one of the traditional 18 sects of Hinayana Buddhism. This form of Buddhism emerged out of Mahinda's mission to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) during Ashoka's region. They are apparently very closely related to the orthodox Vibhajyavada doctrine of Ashoka's time and represent the sole remaining Hinayanist sect today. It is the form of Buddhism prevalent in S.E. Asian countries, e.g. Thailand, Sri Lanka, etc. (see Mahayana).
Thirty-two Forms: These are the physical marks of a Buddha
Three Classifications: Buddha shows that a person is nothing more than a combination of various elements which come together under suitable conditions. They are
Three Delusions: In Tien Tai, three doubts in the mind of Bodhisattva, producing three delusions, i.e.,
Three Dogmas: They are the Dogma of Void, Unreal and Mean. See also Three Meditations of One Mind.
Three Enlightenments: the three kinds of Enlightenment:
Three Evil Paths: They are the three lowest realms of the Nine Realms: hell, hungry ghost and animal.
Three Good Paths: They are Man, Asura and Deva Paths.
Three Jewels: Or the Three Precious Ones, i.e. the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, which are the three essential components of Buddhism. They are the objects of veneration. Buddhists take refuge in them by pronouncing the threefold refuge formula, thus acknowledging themselves to be Buddhists.
Three Meditations of One Mind: Also known as Three Inconceivable Meditations, which is one of the practices in Tien Tai Sect in China. According to Tien Tai, all existence in the universe consists of Three Dogmas (Truths), namely, Void, Unreal and Mean. These three Dogmas are co-existent and interactive, integrated and interrelated. If one can meditate this concept with the whole mind, it is call Three Meditations of One mind, or Inconceivable Profound Meditation.
Three Obstacles: See Three Obstructions.
Three Obstructions: Also called Three Obstacles. They are the obstructions that hinder the attainment of Buddhahood. When the Three Obstructions are cleared, the Three Virtues will be perfected. The Three Obstructions are:
Three Periods of Time: That is the past, the present and the future.
Three Poisons: or Three Roots
Three Realms: Sanskrit word is Triloka. It is Buddhist metaphysical equivalence for the triple world of earth, atmosphere and heaven.
Three Roots: The three (evil) roots, i.e. desire, hate and stupidity. Another group is the three grades of good "roots" or abilities, i.e. superior, medium and inferior.
Three Seals: Also known as Three Universal Truths.
Three Shastra: They are
Three Studies: or Three Vehicles of Learning
Three Sufferings
Three Universal Characteristics: The Three Universal Characteristics are connected with the existence. They are:
Three Universal Truths: Also known as the Three Seals. Three Universal Truths are the basic teaching of Buddha, so that they are commonly used to attest Buddhism.
Three Vehicles: They are the Two Vehicles, plus the Bodhisattva Vehicle, i.e. the Vehicles for Sravaka, Pratyeka Buddha, and the Bodhisattva are called the Three Vehicles.
Three Virtues: The three virtues of power,
Three Wisdom: There are three kinds of wisdom:
Threefold Body of a Buddha: They are
Tien Tai Sect: One of the Ten Great Sect in Chinese Buddhism. It was initiated by Hui Man in the dynasty of Bei-Chai, and was promoted by Chi-Hai in Tsui Dynasty. Mainly based on Lotus Sutra, Tien Tai Sect explains all universal phenomena with Three Dogmas. For the practices, it emphasizes cutting off Three Delusions, thus establishes the method of Three Meditations of One Mind.
Triloka: see Three Realms.
Trinity of Western Paradise: They are the Buddhas and the Great Bodhisattvas in Western Paradise (Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss):
Tripitaka: Tripitaka in Sanskrit, Tipitaka in Pali. The three parts of Pali canon, consisting of:
True Suchness: Bhutatathata in Sanskrit word. Bhuta means substance that exists; tathata means suchness, thusness, i.e. such is its nature. It is regarded as the absolute, ultimate source and character of all phenomena. It is the eternal, imperson, unchangeable reality behind all phenomena. Simply speaking, it is ALL.
Tusita Heaven: The fourth devaloka in the Realm of Desire. Its inner department is the Pure Land of Maitreya who like Shakyamuni and all Buddhas, is reborn there before descending to earth as the next Buddha in our world.
Twelve Bases: The Six Internal Bases and the Six External Bases are together called the Twelve Bases. Base implies the meaning of germinating and nourishing. All mental activities are germinated and nourished from these Twelve Bases.
Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: see the Law of Dependent Origination.
Twelve Nidanas: see the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.
Twelve Places: see the Twelve Bases.
Twenty Sects of Hinayana: See the Eighteen Sects of Hinayana, plus the two originals, i.e. Mahasanghikah and Sthavirah called the Twenty Sects of Hinayana.
Two Deaths: Two Deaths refer to
Two Forms of Death
Two Obstacles: Two Obstacles refer to
Two Sects of Hinayana: It refers to the Sthaviravadin and Mahasanghika.
Two Vehicles: Two Vehicles generally refer to Sravaka and Praetykabuddha.
Uddaka-Ramaputta: Uddaka-ramaputta in Pali, Udraka-Ramaputra in Sanskrit. A sage under whom Shakyamuni studied meditation. The state reached by Uddaka-Ramaputta was that at which neither thought nor non-thought exists.
Udumbara Flower: Udumbara flower blooms once every three thousand years, so it is rare and wonderful. It is used to describe how rare the occasion is.
Unconditioned dharma: Also known as Asamskrta dharma, which is anything not subject to the principle of cause and effect, nor law of dependent origination, i.e. conditions. It is the dharma beyond the worldly ones.
Upanichads: One of the four types of Vedic literature in ancient India, which are basically Brahmanic philosophical texts. It is a sophisticated exposition of Indian philosophy and metaphysics about man and universe.
Uruvela: A town in Magadha where Shakyamuni attained his enlightenment and Buddhahood in the woods along Nairanjana river.
Uttarasailah: One of the Hinayana School, a branch of Mahasanghika. It was established in the third century, after the Nirvana, whose seat is described as north of Jetavana.
Vaibhasika: A Hinayana school of the reality of all phenomena.
Vaisya: Vaisya in Sanskrit, Vaishya in Pali. The third of the four Indian Castes at the time of Shakyamuni. They were merchant, entrepreneurs, traders, farmers, manufacturers, etc., but not well-educated.
Vajrayana: Also called Tantrayana.
Vast and Long Tongue: one of the thirty-two monks of Buddha, big enough to cover his face; it is also one of the "marvels" in the Lotus Sutra.
Vasubandhu: Buddhist philosopher of 500 A.D. The 21st Buddhist patriach of Mahayana Buddhism. He was great Buddhist commentator in Hinayana, but was converted to Yogacara by his brother Asanga.
Vatsiputriyas: Vatsiputriyas in Sanskrit, Vajjiputtakas in Pali. Hinayanist sect often linked with Sammatiyah, which broke from the orothodox Sarvastivada. The founder was Vatsa. They may be classified as Pudgalavadins, accepting the pudgala transmigrated, and rejecting the theory of the Five Skandhas (the Five Aggregates comprising personality). They were considered schismatics through their insistence on the reality of the self. That individual self is neither the same nor different from the Five Skandhas. The doctrine challenged the Dharma exposition by the Sarvastivadah. The school was later dividied into four:
Vedana: see Sensation or Five Skandhas.
Vedas: Literally, it means knowledge. They are basic scriptures of Hinduism in India, composed between 2000 and 500 B.C. They consist of Rg-veda, Sama-veda, Yajur-veda and Atharva-veda. The collection is also known as the Vedic Samhita. Apart from Samhita, the Vedic literature regarded as Sruti were Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanisads.
Vibhajyavada: Literally means Distinctionist or Holders of the Doctrine of Distinctions. A sect of Ashoka's Council at Pataliputra (i.e. the Third Council). They were called as they made a distinction of phenomena in time into two categories; those that exist and those that do no.
Vigor: the fourth Paramita, pure and unadulterated progress, i.e. zealous and courageous progressing in the good, and eliminating the evil.
Vimalakirti-Nivdesa Sutra: Vimalakirti, a Sanskrit word, means undefiled and pure reputation. Vimalakirti was said to be a native of Vaisali, and an upasaka (not a monk) to assist Shakyamuni to preach and cross over the human beings. The Sutra is the record of interesting conversation between Vimalakirti and Manjusri Bodhisattva regarding the understanding of One Buddha Vehicle.
Vinaya School: Emphasizes the monastic discipline founded by Tao Hsuan of the Tang Dynasty in China.
Vipasyana Sukhavativyuha Sutra: It is one of the main sutra for Pure Land Sect. The Sutra indicates that the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha is one of the Buddha Lands. It also describes how to be born in the Pure Land through the Sixteen Contemplations. Therefore, the Sutra is also called "Sixteen Contemplations Sutra".
Visvabhadra Bodhisattva: As one of the Four Great Bodhisattva, he is the one with the highest conduct. Visvabhadra, also known as Samantabhadra, means universal worthy. He is the lord of the fundamental law, the dhyana ( taking precepts) and the practice of all Buddhas. Visvabhadra, the guardian of law, is often placed on the right of Shakyamuni, while Manjusri, the guardian of wisdom, is the left. He always rides on a white elephant, is the patron of the Lotus Sutra, and its devotees, and has close connection with Hua-yen Sutra. He has Ten Great King Vows, which give an excellent guideline to all Buddhists to practice and cultivate the Buddha Way.
Volition: or mental formation, or action, or conduct, or deed, usually done through the body, mouth or mind. The Sanskrit word is Samskara.
Way: Generally, it refers to the Way of Bodhi or enlightenment leading to Nirvana through spiritual stages, and even to Buddhahood through Bodhisattva's practices. Sometimes, it is also called the Path, the Road, the Truth, the Reason, the Logos, Cosmic Energy, etc., depending on different circumstances.
Wheel of Law: The Buddha-truth which is able to crush all evil, and which rolls on from man to man, place to place and age to age. To turn the wheel means to preach Buddha-truth.
Wheel-rolling King: Cakkavatti-raja in Pali, Cakravarti-raja in Sanskrit. Also known as Sagely Wheel-turning King. There are four such kings, each with a precious wheel of gold, silver, copper, and iron. The kings reign over the four areas in north, south, east and west. It is believed that the Gold-Wheel King is to come in perfection and unify the world. In Indian mythology, he is the ideal ruler.
Wisdom: the highest of Paramita; the virtue of wisdom as the principal means of attaining Nirvana. It connotes a knowledge of the illusory character of everything earthly, and destroys error, ignorance, prejudice and heresy.
World Honoured One: One of the titles of the Buddha. In Sutras, this is the respected title of Shakyamuni Buddha. See also Ten Titles of Buddha.
Yaksa: The demons in the lower realm, like the Ghost Realm. They are evil, malignant and violent. They live on earth or in air.
Yana: a Sanskrit word means vehicle. A term applied to Buddhism as a means by which a practitioner cultivates on the path to enlightenment. The different vehicles correspond to views of spiritual path, that differ as to the basic attitude of the practitioner and the means of making progress on the way. There are categories of one, two, three and five vehicles.
Yasodhara: the wife of Siddhartha Goutama. She later became a Bhikhuni.
Yogacara
Zeal: see Vigor.
Zen: also called Chan; see Contemplation and Meditation.