Buddhists
Seekers of enlightenment
Buddhists are people who follow Buddhism, the religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, who lived in ancient India.
Buddhism centers on ending suffering through enlightenment, ethical conduct, and meditation.
Buddhists may be monks, nuns, or laypeople: Buddhists in Thailand observe the holiday by visiting temples.
The tradition has many branches, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen.
Cosmic moral order
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- reincarnationSoul's rebirth after death
impermanence · suffering · non-attachment · mindfulness · compassion · emptiness · interdependence · Four Noble Truths
Sacred worship structure
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
- sanghaBuddhist religious community
- zendoZen meditation hall
- retreat centerFacility for restorative stays
congregation · assembly · fellowship · lineage · teacher · abbot · lama · community
Cloistered religious men
- nunsFemale religious monastics
- sanghaBuddhist religious community
- laypeopleThose outside a profession
- devoteesPassionate adherents
meditators · monastics · disciples · followers · Tibetans · novices · ordained · householders
Buddhism of the elders
Focused attention practice
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- prostrationsActs of lying flat in submission
- offeringsThings presented or given
- retreatsBacks off or sanctuaries
precepts · dana · puja · walking meditation · zazen · mantra · visualization · bowing
dharma
Cosmic moral order
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
reincarnation · impermanence · suffering · non-attachment · mindfulness · compassion · emptiness · interdependence · Four Noble Truths · samsara
temple
Sacred worship structure
retreat center · congregation · assembly · fellowship · lineage · teacher · abbot · lama · community · gathering
monks
Cloistered religious men
devotees · meditators · monastics · disciples · followers · Tibetans · novices · ordained · householders · pilgrims
Theravada
Buddhism of the elders
meditation
Focused attention practice
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- prostrationsActs of lying flat in submission
- offeringsThings presented or given
retreats · precepts · dana · puja · walking meditation · zazen · mantra · visualization · bowing · almsgiving
- FaithsChristians, Catholics, Hindus, Jews, Muslims
- spiritual practitionersmeditators, practitioners, devotees, contemplatives, monastics
- Indian faithsHinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Hindus, Sikhs
- ancient paganspagans, polytheists, druids, animists, sun worshippers
- demographicspopulation density, population growth, age distribution, population, gender ratio
- believersbeliever, believers, adherent, devotee, theist
Buddhistsmonotheists
Believers in one god
theists · atheists · Christians · Muslims · materialists
- Buddhist monasteryResidential religious community, Eastern
- Zen BuddhismMeditation-focused Eastern spiritual path
- Buddhist monkOrdained follower of Buddha
- Tibetan BuddhismHimalayan tantric spiritual tradition
- Buddhist templeShrine for Eastern worship
- Buddhist meditationContemplative awareness practice
Buddhism, Buddhist, Mahayana Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism, Zen Buddhism