Encyclopedia of Buddhism provides easy access to the terms, concepts, personalities, historical events, institutions, and movements that helped shape the history of Buddhism and the way it is practiced today.

Table of Contents

• About the Editors and Contributors
• Preface
• Buddhism Overview
• Buddhism: Development
• Chronology
• 0-9
• 18 schools of early Buddhism
• 28 patriarchs
• 52 stages (Mahayana Buddhism)
• 969 Movement
• A
• abhaya mudra
• Abhidharma
• Abhidharma-kosa
• Abhidharma school
• Agon Shu
• Ahkon Norbu Lhamo, Jetsunma
• Aitken, Robert Baker
• Ajanta
• alaya-vijnana
• alchemical suicide in Daoist practice
• alchemy in Taoism
• All Ceylon Buddhist Congress
• Altan Khan
• Amaterasu Omi-Kami
• amatsu-kami
• Ambedkar, Bhimrao Ramji
• American Buddhist Congress
• Amitabha
• Amitabha Buddhist Societies
• Amoghavajra
• amulets in Buddhist practice
• An Shigao
• Analects of Confucius
• Ananda
• anatman
• Angkor Wat
• anitya
• Annen
• anusaya
• arannavasi
• arhat in Buddhism
• Arnold, Edwin, Sir
• Aro gTer
• art, aesthetics, and architecture in Buddhist practice
• Aryadeva
• Asanga
• Ashoka
• Asita
• Association of Nuns and Laywomen of Cambodia
• Association Zen Internationale
• asubha
• Asvaghosa
• Atisa
• Aum Shinrikyo/Aleph
• Avalokitesvara
• avidya
• B
• Ba Khin, Sayagi U
• Baiyun Guan
• baojuan
• Baopuzi Neipian
• bardo
• Beat Zen
• Bennett, Allan
• Benzaiten
• bhava
• bhavana
• bhiksu
• bhiksuni
• bhumi
• bi gu
• bija
• Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna
• Bodhgaya
• bodhi
• Bodhi, Bhikkhu
• Bodhi tree
• bodhicitta
• Bodhidharma
• Bodhiraksa
• Bodhiruci
• bodhisattva
• Bodu Bala Sena
• Obon Festival
• Bon religion
• Book of Changes
• Boowa Nanasampanno, Phra Ajahn Maha
• Borobudur
• Boudhanath
• Bu Dai
• Buddha
• Buddha nature
• Buddha Sasana Nuggaha
• Buddhabhadra
• Buddhadasa
• Buddhaghosa
• Buddharakkhita, Bhikkhu
• buddhas prior to Sakyamuni
• buddhavacana
• Buddhism and the Cultural Revolution (China)
• Buddhism in Afghanistan
• Buddhism in Africa
• Buddhism in Australia
• Buddhism in Bangladesh
• Buddhism in Bhutan (Druk-Yul)
• Buddhism in Cambodia (Kampuchea)
• Buddhism in Canada
• Buddhism in China
• Buddhism in China-Hong Kong
• Buddhism in China-Taiwan
• Buddhism in Europe
• Buddhism in India
• Buddhism in Japan
• Buddhism in Korea
• Buddhism in Laos
• Buddhism in Malaysia
• Buddhism in Middle East
• Buddhism in Mongolia
• Buddhism in Myanmar (Burma)
• Buddhism in Nepal
• Buddhism in Scandinavia
• Buddhism in Singapore
• Buddhism in South America
• Buddhism in Sri Lanka
• Buddhism in Thailand
• Buddhism in the United States
• Buddhism in Vietnam
• Buddhist alms bowl
• Buddhist approaches to sexuality
• Buddhist Association of the Republic of China
• Buddhist attitudes toward homosexuality
• Buddhist Churches of America
• Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Association
• Buddhist festivals in Japan
• Buddhist festivals in Mongolia
• Buddhist festivals in Tibet
• Buddhist flag
• Buddhist fundamentalism
• Buddhist Publication Society
• Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom
• Buddhist Society in the United Kingdom
• Buddhist titles and terms of address
• Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai (BDK)
• Buton Rinchen Drup
• buxu
• C
• cakravartin
• Caodaism
• Caodong school
• Carus, Paul
• Central Asia and the development of Buddhism
• Chah, Ajahn
• Chajang
• Chan Buddhism
• Channa
• Chegwan
• Cheng Hao
• Cheng Yen
• Cheng Yi
• Chieu, Ngo Van
• Chin Kung
• Chinese Buddhist Association
• Chinese Esoteric Buddhism
• Chinp-yo
• Chinul
• Chodron, Pema
• Chogyam Trungpa
• Chogye Order
• Christian–Buddhist relations
• Christian Zen
• Chung Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies
• cinnabar use in Taoist alchemy
• concept of three flaws (Buddhism)
• Confucian classical texts
• Confucianism
• Confucius
• Conze, Edward
• councils of Buddhism
• cremation in Buddhism
• cultivation in Buddhism
• D
• Daibutsu
• dakini
• Dalai Lama
• Dalai Lama, first
• Dalai Lama III, Sonam Gyatso
• Dalai Lama, second
• Dalai Lama V, Lobsang Gyatso
• Dalai Lama VII, Kelzang Gyatso
• Dalai Lama XIII, Thupten Gyatso
• Dalai Lama XIV, Tenzin Gyatso
• Dam Luu
• dana
• Dao
• Dao Sheng
• Dao Xin
• Daodejing
• Daoism in China-Taiwan
• Daoism in Japan
• Daoism in North America
• Daoist cancellation of evil ritual
• darsana
• David-Néel, Alexandra
• desire in Buddhism
• Devadatta
• development of Buddhism in China-Tibet
• Dhammakaya
• Dhammapada
• Dhammayuttika Nikaya
• dharma
• Dharma Drum Mountain Association
• Dharma heir
• Dharmaguptaka school
• dharmakaya
• Dharmapala, Angarika
• Dharmaraksa (Buddhist scriptures translator)
• Dharmaraksa (Nirvana Sutra translator)
• Dharmasala
• dhyana
• Diamond Sutra
• Diamond Way Buddhism
• disciples of the Buddha
• Dizang
• Dogen
• dojo
• Dong Zhongshu
• Dorje Phagmo
• Dosho
• Dozan
• Drigung Kagyu
• dristi
• Drukpa Kunleg
• dukkha
• Dunhuang cave paintings and carvings
• Dzogchen
• E
• ecology and environmentalism in Buddhism
• eight immortals
• Eightfold Path
• Eihei-ji
• Eisai
• ekayano magga
• Enchin
• engaged Buddhism
• enlightenment in Buddhism
• Ennin
• Enryakuji
• Esala Perahera
• Evans-Wentz, Walter Yeeling
• F
• fa chang
• Fa Zang
• faith, practice, and study in Buddhism
• Falun Gong
• fasting in Buddhism
• Faxian
• feng shui
• Fenollosa, Ernest Francisco
• festivals in Buddhism
• festivals in China
• filial piety in China
• five hindrances
• Five Patriarchs and Seven True Taoists
• Foguangshan
• Foster, Mary Elizabeth
• Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
• “Four Noble Truths” of Buddhism
• Friends of the Western Buddhist Order
• Fu Xi
• fuji
• Fuji-san
• Fuke Zen
• Fukko Shinto
• G
• Gampopa
• Ganjin
• Ge Hong
• Ge Xuan and the Ge family tradition
• Gedatsu
• Gelug
• Genshin
• geyi
• Ghosananda, Maha
• globalization and Buddhism
• Goddard, Dwight
• Goenka, Satya Narayan
• Gohonzon
• Goma Fire Rite
• gompa
• Govinda, Lama Anagarika
• Grimm, George
• Guandi
• Guanyin
• gurudharma
• Gyoki
• H
• Hachiman
• Han Yu
• Hayagriva
• Healing Tao
• Hearn, Lafcadio
• Heart Sutra
• heaven in Chinese religion
• hell in Buddhism
• Hesse, Hermann
• Higashi Hongwanji
• Hinayana
• Honen
• hongaku
• Honpa Hongwanji
• Horyu-ji
• Hosso school
• Hsing Yun
• Hsu Yun
• Hsuan Hua
• Hu Shi
• Hua Yan school
• Hui Chang persecution
• Hui Ke
• Hui Neng
• Hui Si
• Hui Yuan (Buddhist monk during Sui dynasty)
• Hui Yuan (founder of Pure Land Buddhism)
• humanity in Chinese philosophy
• Humphreys, Christmas
• Hunt, Ernest
• Hwaom Buddhism
• I
• I Ching
• icchantika
• ichinen
• Ikeda, Daisaku
• Ikkyu Sojun
• Imamura, Yemyo
• Ingen
• inkashomei
• International Meditation Centre
• Ippen
• Ise Shinto
• Ise Shrine
• ishin denshin
• Ito Jinsai
• Itsuku-shima Shrine
• Iwashimizu Shrine
• Izanagi and Izanami
• Izumo Taisha
• J
• Japan Buddhist Federation
• Japanese Historical Periods
• Jataka tales
• Jayavarman VII
• Jeung San Do
• Ji Gong in Taoist tradition
• Ji-shu
• Jien
• jinja
• jiriki and tariki
• jnana
• Jodo Shinshu
• Jodo-Shu
• Jojitsu
• Jokhang
• K
• Kadampa
• Kagyu
• kaigen
• kaimyo
• kalachakra
• Kalu Rinpoche
• Kamakura
• Kanishka
• Kantaka
• karma
• Karma Kagyu
• karmapa
• karuna
• kasaya
• Kasuga Taisha
• Kasyapa
• Kasyapa of Uruvela
• Kasyapa the Great
• kathina ceremony
• Kaundinya (Buddhist monk)
• Kegon
• Keizan Jokin
• Kenchen Thrangu
• Khantipalo, Phra
• Khyentse Norbu
• Khyentse Rinpoche
• Kishimo-jin
• Kito Buddhism
• Kiyozawa Manshi
• klesa
• koan
• Kodo Kyodan
• Kofuku-ji
• Kofuku no Kagaku
• Koguryo
• Kojiki and Nihongi
• Kokuchu-Kai
• Konkokyo
• Korean Buddhist Federation
• Korean shamanism
• Kornfield, Jack
• Kosai-ji
• Kukai
• Kumarajiva
• Kuon-ji
• Kusha
• Kusinagara
• Kuya
• Kwan Um school
• L
• Laity, Annabel
• Lake Lhamo Latso
• Laozi
• li (principle)
• li (ritual)
• liangzhi
• Lin Zhaoen
• Lingbao Daoism
• Lingyin
• Linji Chan
• “Lion's Roar”
• Lion's Roar of Queen Srimala Sutra
• liturgies and rituals in Taoism
• Longchenpa
• Losar
• Lotus Sutra
• Lotus-womb meditation
• Lu Dongbin
• Lu Sheng-Yen
• Lumbini
• Lung-shan Temple
• M
• macrobiotics and Buddhism
• Madhyamika
• Magadha
• Mahabodhi Society
• mahamudra
• Mahanikaya
• mahaparinirvana
• Mahaprajapati Gotami
• Mahasanghika
• Mahasi Sayadaw
• Mahavamsa
• Mahayana Buddhism
• Mahikari
• Mahinda
• Maidari festival
• Maitripa
• Major Dynasties and Modern Periods in Chinese History
• Major Mahayana Sutras
• Makiguchi, Tsunesaburo
• mala
• mandala
• Mandate of Heaven
• Manjusri
• mantra
• Maoshan school
• mappo
• Mara
• marga
• Marpa
• martial arts in early Buddhism
• Master Ching Hai Meditation Association
• Maudgalyayana
• Maya
• maya
• Mazu
• Meiji Restoration and Buddhism
• Meiji Shrine
• Mencius
• Milarepa
• Mingyur Rinpoche
• Miro
• mizuko kuyo
• Mohe Zhiguan
• monastery, Buddhist
• Mount Hiei
• Mount Koya
• Mount Luofu
• Mount Putuo
• Mount Sumeru
• Mozi
• Mt. Kailas and Lake Manasarovar in Buddhism
• mudita
• Müller, Max
• Mun, Ajaan
• Myochikai Kyodan
• Myoe
• N
• Naeb Mahaniranonda, Ajahn
• Nagarjuna
• Nalanda
• Nanamoli, Bhikkhu
• Nara
• Narada Maha Thera
• Naropa
• nembutsu
• Neo-Confucianism
• New Kadampa Tradition
• Newar Buddhism
• Nichiren
• Nichiren Shoshu
• Niguma
• nikaya
• Nikko
• nirmanakaya
• nirodha
• nirvana
• Nirvana Sutra
• Nü Gua
• Nyanaponika Thera
• Nyanatiloka Mahathera
• Nyingma
• O
• Obaku Zen
• Olcott, Henry Steel
• Order of Interbeing
• ordination in Buddhism
• Ouchi Seiran Koji
• P
• Padmasambhava
• Paekche
• pagoda
• Pali language
• Pali Text Society
• panca sila
• Panchen Lama
• panjiao
• Paramartha
• paramita
• parinirvana
• Perfection of Wisdom Sutra
• Philangi Dasa
• phurba
• Platform Sutra
• Potala
• prajna
• prajnaparamita
• pranidhana
• Pratimoksa
• pratitya-samutpada
• pratyekabuddha
• precepts, Buddhist
• preta
• psychology and Buddhism
• Puggalavadins
• puja
• Pure Land Buddhism
• Q
• qi
• qigong
• Qiu Chuji
• Quanzhen Daoism
• Questions of King Milinda
• R
• Rahula
• Rahula, Walpola
• Rajagriha
• Rampa, T. Lobsang
• Reiyukai
• release of the burning mouth ceremony
• relics of the Buddha
• religions in Okinawa
• Rennyo
• Rhys Davids, Caroline Augusta
• Rhys Davids, Thomas William
• Rime Movement
• Rinzai Zen
• Rissho Kosei-kai
• Ritsu school
• Ryobu-Shinto
• Ryokan
• Ryonin
• S
• sacred languages of Buddhism
• sacred mountains of China
• Saicho
• Sakya
• Sakyadhita
• samadhi
• Samantabhadra
• samapatti
• samatha
• sambhogakaya
• Sammatiya school
• samsara
• San Guan Dadi
• San Xing
• San Yuan Gong
• Sanbo Kyodan
• Sangha organization in Sri Lanka
• sangha-specific festivals
• Sanghabhadra
• Sanghamitta
• sanja takusen
• Sanno Ichijitsu Shinto
• Sanron school
• Sanskrit
• Santaraksita
• Santi Asok
• Santideva
• Sariputra
• sarira
• Sarnath
• Sarvastivada (Sarvastivadin) school
• Sarvodya Shramadana
• Sasaki Roshi, Kyozan Joshu
• Sasaki Roshi, Shigetsu
• Sasaki, Ruth Fuller Everett
• sastra
• Sawaki Roshi, Kodo
• schools of Chinese Buddhism
• self-immolation and disfigurement in Buddhism
• Senzaki, Nyogen
• Setsubun
• Shaku, Soyen
• Shambhala International
• Shangqing Daoism
• Shen Hui
• Shen Xiu
• Sheng Yen
• Shimaji Mokurai
• Shingon
• Shinkyo
• Shinnyo-en
• Shinran
• Shinto
• Shinto New Religions
• shobo
• Shobogenzo
• Shotoku
• shrines, Buddhist
• Shubojia
• Shugendo
• Shwedagon
• Sigalaka Sutta
• sila
• Silla (Korea)
• Sivaraksa, Sulak
• Six Buddhist schools of Nara
• six realms of existence
• Skandhas
• smrti
• Snyder, Gary
• Soen, Nakagawa
• Soka Gakkai International
• Son Buddhism
• Soryu Kagahi
• Sosan Taesa
• Sosurim
• Soto Zen
• sramana
• sramanera and sramaneri
• sravaka
• State Shinto
• Stein, Aurel
• Sthaviravada school
• Strauss, Charles T.
• stupa
• Suddodhana
• Suika Shinto
• sukhavati
• Sumedho, Ajahn
• Sundo
• sunyata
• Susano-o no Mikoto
• sutra
• Suzuki, Daisetsu Teitaro
• Suzuki Shosan
• Suzuki, Shunryu
• svabhava
• swastika
• T
• Tachikawa
• T’aego Pou
• Tai Xu
• Taijiquan
• “taking refuge” in Buddhism
• Takuan Soho
• Tan Luan
• tanha
• Tantra
• Tantric Buddhism
• tanuki
• Tao An
• Taoist approaches to sexuality
• Taoist classical texts
• tathagata
• tathagata-garbha
• tathata
• tea ceremony, Japanese
• Tendai
• tengu
• Tenmangu shrines
• Tenrikyo
• terma
• Thai Forest Meditation Tradition
• tham khwan
• The Books of the Pali Sutta-pittaka
• The First Six Patriarchs of Chan/Zen
• Theravada Buddhism
• Theravada culture Buddhist festivals
• Thich Nhat Hanh
• Thich Quang Duc
• Thittila, Sayadaw U
• Thrangu Monastery
• Thrangu Rinpoche
• Three-in-One movement
• three periods (Buddhism)
• three poisons (Buddhism)
• three pure ones
• three realms (Buddhism)
• three register rituals (Taoism)
• three times (Buddhism)
• three treasures (Buddhism)
• three worms (Taoism)
• tian dao
• Tian Dao/Yiguandao
• Tiantai sect of Buddhism
• Tiantan
• Tibetan Book of the Dead
• Tibetan Government-in-Exile
• Tilopa
• Toda, Josei
• Todai-ji
• Tokugawa shogunate and Buddhism
• tonsure in Buddhism
• torii
• traditional Buddhist ethics
• trikaya
• Tripitaka
• True Buddha school
• tsam dance (Buddhist)
• Tsong Khapa
• Tsukiyomi no Mikoto
• tulku
• tumo
• U
• U Ba Khin
• Uisang
• Ullambana
• Unified Buddhist Church
• Upali
• upaya
• V
• Vaibhasika
• Vairocana
• vajra
• vajra-world meditation
• Vajrabodhi
• Vajradhatu
• Vajrayana Buddhism
• Vassa rains retreat
• Vasubandhu
• vegetarianism and Buddhism
• Vessantara
• vihara
• vijnana
• Vimalakirti-nirdesa Sutra
• Vinaya
• vipassana
• Vipassana International Academy
• virya
• W
• Wang Bie
• Wang Changyue
• Wang Chongyang
• Wang Yangming
• war and violence in Buddhism
• wat
• Watts, Alan Wilson
• Wesak
• Wheel of Life
• White Horse Temple
• Wilber, Ken
• women in early Buddhism
• Won Buddhism
• Wonhyo
• World Buddhist Sangha Council
• World Buddhist University
• World Fellowship of Buddhists
• Wu Chao
• wu xing
• Wusheng Laomu
• wuwei
• wuwei
• X
• xin/xing
• Xiwang Mu
• Xuanzang
• Xunzi
• Y
• Yakushi
• Yama
• Yan Hui
• yantra
• Yasodara
• Yasukuni Jinja
• Yasutani Hakuun Roshi
• Yeshe Tsogyal
• yi
• yin and yang
• Yin Shun
• Yogacara Buddhism
• Yonghegong
• Yoshida Shinto
• Young Men's Buddhist Association
• Yuzu-Nembutsu
• Z
• Zao Jun
• zazen
• Zen Buddhism
• Zeng Yiguan
• Zhan Ran
• Zhang Daoling
• Zhang Zai
• Zhengyi Dao
• Zhi Li
• Zhi Yi
• Zhou Dunyi
• Zhuangzi
• Zong Mi
• Support Materials