[C] Glossary of Buddhist Terms - 4

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sad-ayatana The six sense-organs.
Sage of Illimitable Virtue An epithet of the Buddha.
Saha Lit. 'endurance, patience'; the name of this world, where people must endure various afflictions and pain.
Saicho The founder of the Japanese Tendai school; 766 or 767-822; he established the center of Tendai studies and practices on Mt. Hiei, which became the fountainhead of Pure Land thoughts in the later period.
shala tree The Bodhi-tree under which Vishvabhu became a Buddha.
samadhi A mental state of concentration and focussing of thought on one object; also a transcendent and trance-like state of mind attained by repeated practice of concentration.
Samadhi of Being in the Presence of All Buddhas The samadhi in which one stands face to face with all Buddhas; this samadhi has been widely practiced in India, China and Japan as a method of visualizing Amitabha.
samadhis of emptiness, non-form and non-desire The samadhi in which one realizes that the dharmas are empty and are not to be grasped as objects of perception and desire.
Samadhi of Extinction Skt. 'nirodha-samapatti'; the samadhi which an arhat frequently enters to enjoy the pleasure of no-thought.
Samadhi of Great Tranquility The samadhi which Shakyamuni entered prior to his deliverance of the Larger Sutra.
Samadhi of Recollection of Amida See Nembutsu Samadhi.
Samadhi of Tranquility A Pure Land samadhi mentioned by Vasubandhu in his Five Mindful Practices.
Samantabhadra A great bodhisattva who represents the ultimate principle, meditation and practice of all Buddhas; often portrayed mounted on a white elephant. Following his virtue, one who is born in the Pure Land is capable of coming back to this world of Samsara to save others.
Sambhogakaya, the body of recompense of a Buddha manifested as the result of his supreme merit.
Samghavarman An Indian monk or a monk from Samarkand who went to China in 254 and translated sutras at the White Horse Temple in Lo-yang; the Chinese translation of the Larger Sutra is traditionally ascribed to him but modern scholars doubt this ascription.
Samsara The cycle of birth-and-death to which living beings are bound as the result of their karma; the state of transmigration; Buddhism aims at delivering beings from this state and leading them to Nirvana; cf. birth-and-death.
samskara Blind volition or force; the second of the twelve causations.
Sangha The Buddhist order; originally, a company of monks but came to include all four groups of practicers of the Buddha's teachings: (1) monks, (2) nuns, (3) novices, and (4) female novices. In a wide sense of the term, it includes three other kinds of Buddhists: (5) female trainees, (6) laymen, and (7) laywomen.
Sanron school The Three-Discourse School; a Madhyamika school which developed in China based on two discourses by Nagarjuna and one by Aryadeva; this school was transmitted to Japan in the 7th century.
Sarvastivada School (of Hinayana) One of the Hinayana schools which developed some 200 years after the Buddha's death; this school holds the view that all things really exist.
Satavahana, the name of a dynasty in Southern India, under whose patronage Nagarjuna spread Mahayana.
School of Consciousness-Only The school of Mahayana thought founded by Vasubandhu; it teaches that all existences are transformations of consciousnesses, of which the most fundamental is Alaya. Based on Hsuan-tsang's Chinese translation of Vasubandhu's Thirty Verses and its commentaries, the Hosso (Fa-hsiang) school arose and was later transmitted to Japan.
School of the Middle Nagarjuna's Madhyamika school, which rejects two extreme views of 'existence' and 'non-existence' and claims that truth lies in the middle.
Sea of Perfume The sea from which grows a large lotus-flower, which produces Vairocana Buddha's land, called 'World of Lotus-store'.
Seishimaru Honen's name when he was a child.
'self' and 'mine' A wrong idea of holding oneself and one's possessions as really existing. Cf. 'I' and 'mine'.
self-attachment Innate and unconscious attachment to the false image of ego which is, in fact, non-existent.
self-power One's own power to perform Buddhist practices; it is limited and defiled by evil passions, and so, inefficient in achieving the Buddhist goal; see Other-Power.
Semblance Dharma (age of) The second of the three Dharma-ages; in this age, which lasted a thousand years after the end of the age of the Right Dharma, the Buddhist teachings existed and practices were possible but Enlightenment was no longer attainable due to the declining spiritual capacities of human beings.
Serene Faith Faith of the Other-Power; shinjin; originally, one of the three entrusting minds promised in the Eighteenth Vow.
Serene Faith of Joy Same as above.
seven acts for bodhisattvas of the First Stage 1. to forbear, 2. to avoid lawsuits, 3. to have much joy, 4. to have much happiness in the mind, 5. to seek purity of mind always, 6. to pity sentient beings, and 7. to bear no enmity toward them.
seven causes of awakening the Bodhi-mind 1. The Tathagatas lead one to awaken the Bodhi-mind, 2. on seeing perishing of the Dharma, one awakens the Bodhi-mind wishing to protect it, 3. out of compassion for sentient beings, one awakens the Bodhi-mind, 4. bodhisattvas teach one to awaken the Bodhi-mind, 5. on seeing the bodhisattvas' practices, one awakens toe Bodhi-mind, 6. after practicing Dana, one awakens the Bodhi-mind, and 7. on beholding the Buddha's physical characteristics, one awakens the Bodhi-mind.
seven disciplines The seven rules of acts for the bodhisattvas of the First Stage: 1. forbearance, 2. avoiding disputes, 3. joy, 4. happiness, 5. purity of heart, 6. compassion, and 7. not getting angry.
seven elements of Bodhi The seven factors for the attainment of Enlightenment: 1. distinguishing the true teaching from the false, 2. making efforts to practice the true teaching, 3. rejoicing in the true teaching, 4. eliminating indolence and attaining comfort and relaxation, 5. being mindful so as to keep the balance between concentration and insight, 6. concentration, and 7. detaching one's thoughts from external objects, thereby securing serenity of mind.
seven elements of evil The opposites of the seven elements of virtue.
seven elements of virtue Faith, repentance, shamefulness, hearing the Dharma, efforts, mindfulness and wisdom.
seven factors of wisdom The seven factors for cultivating superior wisdom: (1) distinguishing the true Dharma from false teachings; (2) making efforts in practicing the true Dharma; (3) rejoicing in the true Dharma; (4) eliminating indolence and attaining comfort and relaxation; (5) being mindful to keep the balance between concentration and insight; (6) concentration; and (7) detaching one's thoughts from external objects so as to secure serenity of mind.
seven evil acts 1. killing, 2. stealing, 3. committing adultery, 4. telling lies, 5. uttering harsh words, 6. uttering words which cause enmity between two or more persons, and 7. engaging in idle talk.
seven faults 1. many secular engagements, 2. chanting non-Buddhist scriptures, 3. coveting much sleep, 4. indulging in conversation with many, 5. attachment to personal riches and gains, 6. excessive eagerness to please people, and 7. being confused about the Buddhist Path.
seven jewels Gold, silver, beryl, crystal, rosy pearl, carnelian, and sapphire.
Seven Masters The Seven Patriarchs of Jodoshinshu: Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, T'an-luan, Tao-ch'o, Shan-tao, Genshin and Honen.
seven prominences on the body n both feet, both hands, both shoulders and on the back; this feature is one of the 32 physical characteristics of the Buddha.
seven practices leading to Enlightenment The seven factors for the attainment of Enlightenment: (1) distinguishing the true teaching from the false, (2) making efforts to practice the true teaching, (3) rejoicing in the true teaching, (4) eliminating indolence and attaining comfort and relaxation, (5) being mindful so as to keep the balance between concentration and insight, (6) concentration, and (7) detaching one's thoughts from external objects, thereby securing serenity of mind.
seven treasures Gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, red pearls, diamond, and coral; there are, however, other versions.
Shakyamuni Shakyamuni; the seventh of the eight Buddhas of the past and future.
Seventeenth Vow In this vow Dharmakara promised that, when he became a Buddha, his Name would be glorified by all Buddhas, so that living beings who hear it might joyfully hold it; cf. Forty-eight Vows.
Shakra Generally known as Indra; the lord of the Heaven of Thirty-three Gods; originally a Hindu god but later considered as a protector of Buddhism and its followers.
Shakra's pendent mani-gem The gem on the top of Shakra's head; said to be the most precious gem in the world (M12,15).
Shakra's vase The vase which produces anything at will; said to be a possession of Shakra.
Shakyamuni Lit. 'a sage of the Shakya clan'; the founder of Buddhism, who appeared in India around the 6th-5th century B.C.
Shariputra One of the ten great disciples of the Buddha; he was well-known for his intelligence.
Shan-tao The fifth master in the tradition of Jodoshinshu; 613-81.
Shan-tao School One of the three Chinese Pure Land schools; the other two are Lu-shan school of Hui-yuan (334-416) and Tz'u-min school of Hui-jih (680-748).
Shao-k'ang A Chinese Pure Land master, renowned as an incarnation of Shan-tao; died in 805.
Shila Paramita The second of the Six Paramitas; observance of the precept.
Shin The popular name for Jodoshinshu.
Shin Buddhist system The doctrinal system of salvation of Jodoshinshu.
Shin Buddhist A follower of Jodoshinshu.
Shingon The esoteric Buddhism which originated in India, developed in China and was systematized in Japan by Kukai (774-835).
shinjin Faith of the Other-Power.
Shinran The founder of Jodoshinshu (1173-1262).
Shraddha Faith; pure faith.
shravaka 'A hearer'; originally, a disciple of the Buddha in general; later, a follower of Hinayana Buddhism who seeks to attain Nirvana and become an arhat.
Shravasti A kingdom in central India; at present, Sahetmahet in Gonda Province. The Buddha often stayed at the Jeta Grove monastery outside the capital.
shukuzen Karmic virtue; stored merits in one's past lives.
Shunyata Voidness or emptiness; non-substantiality of all that exists.
Sincere Mind One of the three entrusting minds promised in the Eighteenth Vow.
Single Path The single path leading to Buddhahood.
Single thought of Joy and Gratitude The first awakening of Faith, or shinjin, which is accompanied by great joy and gratitude to Amida.
Singleness of mind Whole-hearted trust in Amida's saving power.
six acts of accord and respect The six compassionate acts of a bodhisattva for approaching and saving others: (1) observing the same precepts as others, (2) sharing the same view as others; (3) performing the same practices as others, (4) kind acts to others, (5) kind speech, and (6) kind-heartedness.
six elements The six constituent elements of all existences: earth, water, fire, wind, wind and consciousness.
six elements of virtue They refer to the Six Paramitas.
six faults Stinginess, breaking the precepts, anger, indolence, confusion of mind, and ignorance.
six forms of mindfulness The practice of mindfulness among Buddhists since early days. They are: (1) mindfulness of the Buddha (2) of the Dharma, (3) of the Sangha, (4) of the precepts, (5) of the practice of renouncing, and (6) of the deities.
Six Heavens The six heavens in the world of desire: 1. the Heaven of the Four Guardian Kings, 2. the Heaven of the Thirty-three Gods, 3. Yama, 4. Tusita, 5. Nirmana-rati, and 6. the Heaven of Free Enjoyment of Others' Manifestations.
six kinds of domestic animals Cows, horses, dogs, sheep, pigs and fowls.
six kinds of robes Robes made of: 1. cotton, 2. linen, 3. silk, 4. wool, 5. reddish hemp, and 6. white hemp.
Six Paramitas The six kinds of practices by which bodhisattvas reach Enlightenment: 1. dana (giving), 2. observance of the precepts, 3. perseverance, patient, 4. effort, 5. meditation, concentration, and 6. wisdom.
six realms The six realms in Samsara, i.e., hell, realms of hungry spirits, animals, asuras, humans and heavenly beings.
six sense-organs Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, tactile organ, and mind.
six supernatural powers See supernatural powers.
sixth blood-relative The six blood-relatives are: father, mother, brothers, sisters, wife, and children.
Sixth Heaven The highest heaven in the world of desire, known by the name of Heaven of Free Enjoyment of Others' Manifestations.
skillful means The skillful means employed by bodhisattvas to guide sentient beings to the Buddhist Path.
skandha 'Aggregate'; see five aggregates.
skillful means Sk. upaya; the method used by a Buddha or a bodhisattva to approach and save sentient beings.
slandering of the Dharma The act of the gravest offense which consigns the offender to the hell of uninterrupted pain (Avici); this act includes rejecting the existence of Buddhas and their teachings.
smaller kalpa Length of time used to explain the cosmic change; equivalent to the period during which man's average life-span, which is 10 at the worst time of the period of five defilements, increases by one in every 100 years, until it reaches 84,000; cf. period of cosmic change.
Small Shakyamuni The word of praise accorded Genshin by the Chinese monks who read his Ojoyoshu (Collection of Essential Passages Concerning Birth in the Pure Land).
Smaller Sutra One of the three basic sutras of Pure Land Buddhism; also known as the Smaller Sukhavativyuha Sutra, the Sutra on Amitayus Buddha and the Amida Sutra; the Chinese translation used in most of the Pure Land schools was produced by Kumarajiva (344-413) about 402.
Society of Twenty-five Samadhi The group of 25 monks formed in 986 in the Yokawa precinct of Mt. Hiei to meet regularly and practice the Nembutsu; Genshin laid down the rite for this and promoted its activity.
space-element One of the five constituent elements of one's existence.
sparsha Touch or contact with the external objects; sixth of the twelve causations.
special qualities Refers to the 18 special qualities of a Buddha. They are: (1) absence of imperfections in the body, (2) unmistakable speech in guiding beings to Enlightenment, (3) perfect concentration, (4) non-discriminative thought, (5) perfectly settled mind, (6) knowing and accepting all dharmas, (7) limitless desire to save sentient beings, (8) unceasing effort to save sentient beings, (9) spiritual correspondence with all the other Buddhas, (10) omniscience, (11) complete emancipation from all bondage, (12) complete knowledge of all aspects of emancipation, (13) manifestation of excellent physical forms to guide sentient beings to salvation, (14) employment of subtle words to teach sentient beings, (15) pure mental acts to teach sentient beings and remove their ignorance and passions, (16) complete knowledge of past lives of all beings, (17) complete knowledge of all future events, and (18) complete knowledge of all events in the present life (L16).
Ssu-chou The name of the place in the present An-hui Province where Shan-to was born.
sprinkling of nectar The sprinkling which bodhisattvas of the tenth stage receive from the Buddhas (L16).
Stage of a Non-returner The second highest stage of Hinayana sages attained by destroying subtle evil passions; one who has attained this stage is no longer subject to rebirth in the world of desire.
Stage of a Stream-Winner The first of the four stages of spiritual attainment leading to Arhatship; 'entering the stream' means attaining the stream of the sacred Dharma by destroying various wrong views.
Stage of Becoming a Buddha after One More Life The highest stage of a bodhisattva who will become a Buddha in the next life; Maitreya is such a bodhisattva; after his life in the Tusita Heaven he will come down to this world to become a Buddha.
Stage of Compassionate Guidance The stage in which a bodhisattva dwells after attaining Enlightenment; in this stage he manifests various forms and guides sentient beings along the Buddhist Path; this is the 'Returning' aspect.
Stage of Dharma-cloud The tenth stage of Bodhisattvahood.
Stage of Difficulty in Overcoming The fifth stage of Bodhisattvahood.
Stage of Glowing Wisdom The fourth stage of Bodhisattvahood.
Stage of Going Far The seventh stage of Bodhisattvahood.
Stage of Illumination The third stage of Bodhisattvahood.
Stage of Joy The first of the ten bodhisattva stages, in which one awakens the pure wisdom and becomes assured of attaining Enlightenment; those who reach this stage are no longer liable to falling back to insecure lower stages, and so this stage is called the Stage of Non-retrogression. Since they attain pure spiritual joy, this stage is also called the Stage of Joy.
Stage of Manifestation [of Reality] The Sixth Stage of Bodhisattvahood.
Stage of Non-defilement The Second Stage of Bodhisattvahood.
Stage of Non-retrogression The stage of a bodhisattva at which he realizes undefiled wisdom and is assured of attaining Enlightenment without falling back to a lower stage.
Suchness See True Suchness.
Stage of Right Assurance Same as the Stage of Joy.
stages of shravakas and pratyekabuddhas The stages of Hinayana practice at which one seeks to attain one's own salvation.
Stage of Wondrous Wisdom The Ninth Stage of Bodhisattvahood.
steadfast mind A firm resolution to pursue the Buddhist Way.
Suchness The ultimate reality of all that exists.
Suchness of all dharmas Things as they really are; in the eye of the Buddha all existing things are themselves ultimate reality.
Sukhavati 'Possessed of happiness or pleasure'; the name of Amida's Pure Land.
Summit of the Heavens The fourth and the highest heaven in the world of non-form.
Sunaksatra See Zensho.
superior supramundane path The path that transcends ordinary courses of action in the secular world and leads to Buddhahood; Buddhism is primarily the supramundane path whereby one is freed from Samsara and attains liberation.
supernatural powers The six transcendental powers attributed to a Buddha, bodhisattva or arhat. They are: (1) the ability to go anywhere at will and to transform oneself or any object at will, (2) the ability to see anything at any distance, (3) the ability to hear any sound at any distance, (4) the ability to know the thoughts of others, (5) the ability to know the previous lives of oneself and others, and (6) the ability to destroy all evil passions.
supramundane ways Methods of practice for transcending the Samsaric world and reaching Enlightenment.
Supreme Fruition The Buddha's Enlightenment; Bodhi; the final goal of spiritual pursuit in Mahayana.
Supreme King of the Dharma Refers to the Buddha.
Supreme One An epithet of the Buddha.
Supreme, Peerless Honored One An epithet of the Buddha.
supreme shila Realization of voidness of everything is called the supreme shila.
Supreme, Unsurpassed One An epithet of the Buddha.
Supreme Vehicle Refers to Mahayana.
sutra A Buddhist scripture containing the Buddha's teaching.
Sutra on Bodhisattvas' Dwelling in the Embryonic State The sutra describing the Land of Indolence and Pride The land situated in the west between this world and the Pure Land; those who aspire to be born in the Pure Land are often attracted to the pleasures in this land and stay there, unable to proceed to Amida's land.
Sutra on the Buddha's Visit to Lanka The Lankavatara Sutra; the sutra said to have been delivered by Shakyamuni in the island Lanka, the present Sri Lanka.
Sutra on the Samadhi of All Buddhas' Appearance The Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra; the sutra explaining the method of visualizing Amida and all the other Buddhas.
Sutra on the Samadhi of Contemplation of the Buddha One of the sutras explaining the method of contemplating Amida.

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