Glossary

dhamma

The Buddha's teaching; the truth of how things are, and the path that leads to its realisation. One of the three refuges.

dukkha

The unsatisfactoriness or subtle unease woven through conditioned experience; the first of the four noble truths.

anicca

Impermanence: every conditioned thing arises, changes and passes away.

anattaanattā

Not-self: nothing in experience is a permanent, independent self.

sati

Mindfulness: the quality of remembering to be present, aware and unobscured.

samadhisamādhi

Collectedness of mind; the stillness that deepens when attention settles.

mettamettā

Loving-kindness: the wish for the welfare and happiness of all beings.

karunakaruṇā

Compassion: the heart that trembles at the suffering of others and wishes to help.

muditamuditā

Sympathetic joy: delight in the good fortune of others.

upekkhaupekkhā

Equanimity: a steady balance of mind that meets gain and loss alike.

sanghasaṅgha

The community of practitioners; the third refuge.

kalyanamitakalyāṇamitta

A noble or good friend: one who supports us on the path.

nibbananibbāna

The unbinding of the heart; the end of greed, hatred and delusion.

ehipassiko

"Come and see": the Buddha's invitation to verify the teaching in one's own experience.