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Glossary of Buddhist Terms -- S
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These are just the briefest of definitions of Buddhist terms starting with S. Click on the term for more explanation of its meaning. Scroll down past the Sponsored Links for more terms.
These are just the briefest of definitions of Buddhist terms starting with S. Click on the term for more explanation of its meaning. Scroll down past the Sponsored Links for more terms.
Saddha, Shraddha
Shraddha or Saddha are words found in Buddhist texts often translated as "faith." What does "faith" mean in Buddhism?
Saddharmapundarika-sutra
Saddharmapundarika-sutra is the Sanskrit name of the Lotus Sutra.
Sambhogakaya
In Mahayana Buddhism, sambhogakaya is the "body of delight" or "bliss body," or the buddha body that experiences the bliss of enlightenment.
Samsara
The Sanskrit word samsara means "journeying." Samsara often is explained as the cycle of death and rebirth created by karma.
Sangha
The sangha is the community of Buddhists.
Satori
In Zen Buddhism, Satori is an experience of enlightenment.
Sesshin
In Zen Buddhism, a sesshin is an intensive meditation retreat.
Shikantaza
Shikantaza is a form of zazen (Zen meditation) practiced by the Soto school of Zen Buddhism.
Shingon
Shingon is an esoteric sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Shunyata
According to the Mahayana Buddhist teaching of shunyata -- "emptiness" or "void" -- all beings and phenomena are empty of independent, permanent essence.
Skandha
In Buddhism, the Five Skandhas are aggregates of mental and physical characteristics that come together to create an individual. Personality and ego are creations of the skandhas.
Soto
Japanese Soto Zen Buddhism is associated with the meditation practice of Shikantaza and with its Japanese founder, Eihei Dogen.
Stupa
A stupa is a memorial monument used to enshrine relics of the Buddha or other sacred objects.
Sutra
The name sutra in Buddhism originally was given only to the sermons of the historical Buddha. Some later works are also considered to be sutras by the Mahayana school, however.