If you want to know the
basics about Buddhism, such as terms and the beliefs associated with the
religion, here is some stuff to read:
Definitions and Explanations
Aryan – ("noble") The word identifies those who have reached a level of high spiritual attainment. In direct translation, the four noble truths are actually translated to mean the four truths for noble people. They are the "noble" ones who understand the four truths to be true.
Samsara – (sam "together" + sarati "it flows") in Buddhism, it signifies a person’s rebirth. To achieve nirvana one must understand how Samsara works and then see how to break the rebirth cycle. During the Buddha’s third watch, he identified the causes of Samsara and destroyed it by destroying his karma.
Karma – (karman "fate, action") Buddhist philosophy that says a person’s current and future life is dependent on her/his behavior in this and previous lives. It also refers to one’s actions (sinful or good), which can bring about suffering or pleasure. Karma changes every moment reminding followers of the impermanence of the world. A common Buddhist practice is finding a way to get around one’s karma. It is also said that one should look at the body to see the past, the mind to see the future.
Jataka – ("birth") stories about the past life. There are about 547 Jataka Buddhist stories. In Buddhism, Jatakas play an important role because they tell about the Buddha’s past lifetime and remind the world that what he is teaching is an eternal truth that has existed throughout the ages, it isn’t anything new. It also legitimates the dharma and the Buddha, as well as devotes places of pilgrimage.
Nirvana – (nirva "to be extinguished," from nis "out" + va "to blow") the attainment of enlightenment and the freeing of the spiritual self from attachment to worldly things, ending the cycle of birth and rebirth. This is the ultimate goal for every Buddhist.
Gautama Buddha – born Siddharta Gautama, also known as Sakyamuni. Nepalese-born Indian philosopher who renounced his life as a prince to explore abstract concepts such as human suffering. He attained enlightenment about 528 b.c. (age 35) and taught the doctrine until he reached nirvana at the age of 80.
Bodhisattva – (bodhi "perfect knowledge" + sattva "being, reality") a being that has attained enlightenment worthy of nirvana but remains in the human world to help others. One who passes up the opportunity to become an arhat so that he may dedicate his lifetimes to building good merit to achieve the perfection necessary to re-discover the Buddhist teachings and spread the word once again.
Buddha – (budh "to wake up, be enlightened") somebody who has achieved a state of perfect enlightenment, in accord with the teachings of the Buddha. Represents one of the three jewels because the Buddha taught the Dharma which provides refuge from everyday suffering. A Buddha will only come when the world is in need of enlightenment because the previous teachings have faded from everybody’s memory. Similar to an arhat, but his path is different. A Buddha discovers teachings and truths on his own.
Dharma – ("something established, decree, custom") the truth about the way things are, and will always be, in the universe or in nature, especially when contained in scripture. One of the three jewels. The chance to know the Dharma is a rare opportunity which is a product of one’s past karma.
Sangha – community of Buddhist followers (i.e. monks and nuns) who keep a set of rules in the order of the Buddha and whom have taken vows. To enter, a person is either a novice or a fully ordained monk. One of the three jewels.
Stupa – Buddhist shrine, temple, or pagoda that houses a relic or marks the location of an auspicious event of the Buddha. Serve as reminders to the public of the Buddhist beliefs.
Dharmakaya – the Buddha’s quality body, it is formed from a collection of all good qualities.
Vinaya – rules of monastic discipline. Listed the various punishments for breaking a vow. Helps scholars today learn more about the Buddha and Buddhism.
Anatman – the idea of no self. A key principle in the Buddhist philosophy to understand that everything a person does or experiences is due to various causes and that everything he does not only effects him but his surroundings and those around him as well.
Arhat – ("deserving, meritorious" or "worth one") a Buddhist who has reached the highest state of peace and enlightenment. Somebody worthy of great respect and offering. Relies on Buddhist teachings for nirvana.