- KALPAS Symbolically, it represents an unimaginably long period of time.
- KARMA Basically, the law of cause and effect to which all sentient beings, indeed, all things, are subject. Also, the cumulative causal situation affecting one's destiny as a result of past acts, thoughts, emotions.
- KUNG-AN (Japanese: koan) Literally, a "public case, " as in a law case. Ch'an method of meditation in which the practitioner energetically and single-mindedly pursues the answer to an enigmatic question posed by his master, or which arises spontaneously. The question can only be answered by abandoning logic and reasoning, and by intuitively resolving the "doubt sensation" which gave rise to the question. Famous kung-an encounters were recorded and used by masters to test their disciples' understanding, or to arouse in them the enlightenment experience. The term "kung-an" is often used interchangeably with "hua-t'ou." See "HUA T'OU."
- MAHAYANA The "Great Vehicle" whose followers vow to attain Supreme Enlightenment for the sake of delivering all other sentient beings from suffering. See "BODHISATTVA" and "HINAYANA."
- NIRVANA Total extinction of desire and suffering, the state of liberation through Full Enlightenment.
- PARAMITAS "Perfections" or ways for "reaching the other shore."
- PRATYEKABUDDHA A self-enlightened being, one who has attained enlightenment by contemplating dependent origination.
- RETRIBUTION BODY (Sambhogakaya) One of the three bodies of the Buddha: reward or enjoyment body. See "DHARMA BODY" and 'TRANSFORMATION BODY."
- SAMADHI Like dhyana, samadhi also refers to states of meditative absorption, but is a broader and more generic term than dhyana. Although numerous specific samadhis are mentioned in Buddhist scriptures, the term "samadhi" itself is flexible and not as specific as dhyana. In this book it refers to the state of "one mind, " or expanded sense of self ─ a unity of mind and body, self and environment.
- SAMSARA The relentless cycle of birth and death and suffering in which ordinary, unenlightened sentient beings are deeply entangled.
- SANGHA Buddhist community. See "THREE JEWELS."
- SRAVAKAS Associated with the Hinayana tradition. Literally "sound-hearer, " one who has heard the Buddha's teaching and attained the first of the four levels of Arhatship.
- SUTRAS Generally, scriptures. Specifically, the recorded teachings of the Buddha. The distinctive mark of a Buddhist sutra is the opening line, "Thus have I heard." This indicates that what follows are the direct teachings of Buddha, as remembered and recorded by his disciples.
- TATHAGATA Literally, "Thus-Come One, " a title of the Buddha.
- TATHAGATAGARBHA Womb, or store of the Tathagata ─ the potentiality of buddhahood in each sentient being.
- THREE JEWELS Collective term referring to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Buddha refers to the historical founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni. Dharma is the truth realized by the Buddha, transmitted in the scriptures, and through a lineage of enlightened masters. Sangha is the Buddhist community, originally Sakyamuni Buddha's immediate disciples. In a limited sense it consists of Buddhist monks, nuns, and disciples; in a broader sense it includes all persons connected through belief in and practice of Buddhism. "Taking refuge" in the Three Jewels confirms one as a Buddhist practitioner. Faith in the Three Jewels is the recognition that Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are all contained within all sentient beings.
- TRANSFORMATION BODY (Nirmanakaya) One of the three bodies of the Buddha: the form that a Buddha manifests to facilitate the deliverance of sentient beings. See "DHARMA BODY" and "RETRIBUTION BODY."