(also: Amitahba Buddha Paradise Kingdom; Western Paradise Sukhavati) Sukhavati, the Western Pure Land presided over by Amitabha Buddha, is the main focus of devotion in the Pure Land school of Chinese Buddhism, and the Pure Land (Shinshu) and True Pure Land (Jodo Shinshu) schools of Buddhism in Japan. In this paradise, there is no suffering or hardship, only happiness, purity, and safety. Anyone can be reborn to the land by reciting Amitabha’s name with complete sincerity and concentration. Despite the fact that people are reborn in Sukhavati carrying the full karmic weight of their actions... Read more about Sukhavati

Assayuja, a day of special importance in Theravada traditions, marks the Buddha’s descent from second heaven, where he had preached the Dharma to his mother. The day also marks the end of the three-month vassa, or rainy season retreat for monastics, in Southeast Asia.

Dana is a religious gift as well as the quality of liberality or generosity. In the Buddhist tradition, generosity is one of the six paramitas (“perfections”) that one cultivates on the bodhisattva path. The other perfections are: discipline, forbearance, energy, concentration, and wisdom.

The term “immigrant Buddhism” refers to the form of American Buddhism identified mainly with immigrant Buddhists from Asia, whether of the first wave of Chinese and Japanese or the second wave of Southeast Asians.

(also: Nibbana) In religions of Indian origin, nirvana means “blowing out,” i.e. the cessation of greed, hate, delusion, attachment, and desire —all the fuel of rebirth. In Buddhist philosophy, it refers both to Truth of the “far shore,” and to th. state of great spontaneity, tranquility, and purity that accompanies the realization of that Truth. In the Hindu tradition, moksha (liberation) is often spoken of as nirvana as well. In the Jain tradition, moksha occurs with the attainment of kevalajnana, the supreme, omniscient knowledge of the nature of the universe.

Sokatsu Shaku was largely responsible for popularizing Ryomokyokai, the lay-Zen organization first formed by his master, Kosen, at the end of the 19th century. In 1906 Sokatsu led a group of six disciples, including Sokai-an Sasaki, to California, where the group established the first American branch of Ryomokyokai in San Francisco. Sokatsu returned to Japan for two years, came back to the United States briefly, then returned to Japan for good.

Zazen is the Japanese term for the practice of sitting in meditation, bringing body, breath, and mind to alert and wakeful stillness.

An abbot or abbess is the title of the superior of a monastery or convent. Some scholars and practitioners have used these titles to apply to the ranking monk or nun of a Buddhist monastic community as well.

The major order in Korean Buddhism, the Chogye order was formed in the late 12th century by the unification of the Nine Mountains Schools of Chan (Zen). Although all Buddhist teachings were given their place in the new system, the gongan (koan) practice of Linji Chan (Rinzai Zen) gained highest stature as the most direct path to enlightenment.

Gongfu (also: kung-fu) is the Chinese term for martial arts. Monks from the Buddhist temple of Shaolin were especially famous for their mastery of the physical skills and spiritual potential of this art.

Shinran Shonin (1173-1262) began the devotional Jodo Shinshu or “True Pure Land” movement of Buddhism. Considering the lay/monk distinction invalid, Shinran married and had several children, thereby initiating the practice of married Jodo Shinshu clergy and establishing a familial lineage of leadership, traits which continue to distinguish the school to this day.

Vipassana is a form of Theravada Buddhist meditation, also called “insight mediation.” This method directs the attention toward the moment-to-moment workings of the mind and body, thereby developing “mindfulness” of the contents of consciousness and full awareness of the nature of reality.

(also: five precepts; samaya voces' bodhisattva vows) For Buddhists, spiritual progress typically requires the acceptance of an ever-greater number of moral precepts. Upon taking refuge in the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), most Buddhists will participate in a five precepts ceremony, in which they formally vow to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants. In the Theravada tradition, monastic novices and very devout lay Buddhists observe an additional five precepts: refraining from eating after noon, using ornaments, watching entertainment, lying... Read more about Buddhist precepts

Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of India in the 6th century BCE, came to be called the Buddha, the “awakened one,” after his enlightenment at the age of thirty-six. He spent the remainder of his life giving spiritual guidance to an ever-growing body of disciples. The Buddha entered into parinirvana (bodily death and final liberation) in 483 BCE at the age of 81.

(also: sesshin) In Buddhist meditation traditions, setting aside a weekend, a month, or several months for intensive practice is considered crucial to expediting the student’s progress. During such meditation retreats in the Zen tradition, the practitioner engages in breath-counting practice, sitting and walking meditation, and, in Rinzai Zen, koan study. Typically, no talking is allowed, except asking necessary questions during work practice and in the interview with the teacher.