Glossary
Amitabha
The Buddha of infinite light who loves us exactly as we are and is offering to bring us to our enlightenment in his Pure Land.
Bodhisattva
A being of great compassion who puts off their own enlightenment in order to help others first.
Buddha One who has woken up to the truths of reality, who sees things as they truly are and responds with compassion. Great Buddhas have awesome powers to help other beings, including creating compassionate realms known as Pure Lands.
Buddha-name The name “Amitabha” or one of its translations, such as “Amida” in
Japan or “Amituofo” in China. The Buddha-name is “nebutsu” in Japan, “nien-fo” in China.
Enlightenment Said to be like putting down a heavy load that has been carried for a long time. The end of the sufferings we have known in human life. A state of bliss. Seeing the true nature of reality.
Honen Originally a Tendai Sect priest, he turned to the Pure Land Way after extensive study of the Buddha’s teachings. His exile from Kyoto to Shikoku began the spread of the Pure Land teachings across the countryside and, eventually, around the world. Honen had a number of disciples who started Pure Land traditions or sects of their own, including Shinran, founder of Jodo-Shinshu in Japan.
Karma The momentum of our spiritual and ethical self. Good deeds add to tendencies which bring us love and kindness. Our nasty ways unease our mind and get us hurt in our interactions with others.
Kuya Known as the Hijiri or Holy Man of the marketplace. He would ring a gong and recite the Buddha-name and was known for starting social welfare and public works projects.
Meditation Quiet exercises involving mindfulness or insight reflection for the purpose of developing oneself to the point of one’s enlightenment.
Nembutsu or nenbutsu Reciting the Buddha-name, in Japanese.
Nien-fo In China, refers to reciting the Buddha-name.
Path of meditation Also known as the Path of Sages, this refers to all of the schools of Buddhism that use self-power practices in their striving for enlightenment. The Pure Land Way relies on the other-power assistance of Amitabha Buddha to bring one to enlightenment.
Pure Land A place of spiritual refuge created by a Buddha through the great powers they have gained through eons of spiritual discipline and meditation. When born there, we still have spiritual work to do, but it is far easier to make progress in the excellent conditions of Amitabha’s Pure Land.
Sangha A Buddhist community or fellowship. Those in this world who accept
Amitabha’s help are part of the Sangha of all the beings of his Pure Land who we will join after this life ends.
Shakyamuni Buddha (Gautama Shakyamuni) The historical person who was the first to become a Buddha in our world.
Shandao From China, his writings influenced Pure land Buddha-name practice in
Japan.
Sukhavati The name of Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land. (Sukha: bliss; vati: land of)