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Glossary Anuttara-Samyaksmbodhi literally "perfect universal enlightenment.ˇ° It is the full form of samyaksarnbodhi (enlightenment of a complete buddha). Asura Avalokitesvara one of the most important bodhisattvas of the Mahayana. The literal meaning of Avalokitesvara is variously interpreted; two interpretations are 'Lord who Looks Down" and "He/She who Hears the Sound (Outcries) of the World." Avalokitesvara embodies one of the two fundamental aspects of Buddhahood, compassion Iconographically, thirty-three different ways of depicting Avalokitesvara are known, distinguished by the number of heads and arms as well as attributed held in his/her hands. Avalokitesvara often hold a blue lotus blossom. The numerous arms symbolize his/her ability to work for the welfare of sentient beings in a manner corresponding to any situation. Bodhisattva literally "enlightenment being"; a Bodhisattva is a being who seeks Buddhahood through the systematic practice of the perfect virtues but renounces complete entry into nirvana until all beings are saved. Supported by highest insight and wisdom, the determining factor for his/her action is compassion. A Bodhisattva provides active help, is ready to take upon himself/herself the suffering of all other sentient beings, and to transfer his/her own karmic merit to other beings. Buddha the "awakened one"; the manifestation of the dharma. A Buddha is a person who has achieved the enlightenment that leads to the release from the cycle of existence and has thereby attained complete liberation. Buddhahood expression for the realization of perfect enlightenment, which characterizes a Buddha. Buddhahood is the biithright and highest goal of all beings, but it cannot be "attained." Rather, one reaches Buddhahood by realizing and experiencing it in everyday life. Buddha Nature the seed of mindfulness and enlightenment in every person. It is the basic consciousness of our inherent potential or compassion, wisdom and sincerity. Because it is the eteanal nature of living things, it is possible for all beings to attain enlightenment and become a Buddha, regardless of what level of existence they occupy. Buddhism a religion founded in India in the Sixth Century B.C. by Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism teaches that right thinking and egolessness will enable the human spirit to reach Supreme Enlightenment (see nirvana). Chanting a form of meditation which ultimately restores one's mind to its original, peaceful state. By focusing on the voice and sound of chanting one concentrates all energy towards stabilizing the body and returning to a spiritual neutrality. When chanting, one should maintain a straight posture, moderate voice, and concentrate the mind only on the chanting voice. With this form of meditation, one may eventually be able to experience and attain the state of Samadhi. (see The Scripture of Won Buddhism, pp. 42-46) Tan-Jun-Joo literally "carrying holding the law." It is the way of understanding the love taught by the Buddha, a comprehensive term referring to that which determines our true essence; righteousness; the basis of human morality and ethics, the lawful order of the universe and foundation of all religion. The Dharma existed already before the birth of the historical Buddha. Dharmakaya body of the great order; the true nature of the Buddha, which is identical with transcendental reality, the essence of the universe. The Dharmakaya is the unity of the Buddha with everything existing. At the same time, it represents the "law", the teaching expounded by the Buddha Tonghak Five Desires Four Books Four forms of birth viviparous, as with mammals; oviparous, as with birds; moisture or water-born, as with worms and fish; metamorphic, as with moths from chrysalises Four Graces manifest the Dharmakaya; they are The Grace of Heaven and earth, The Grace of Parents, The Grace of Brethren and The Grace of Law. The Grace of Heaven and Earth provides us with light, soil, water, air and eternal life; one should fulfill the purpose of one's work consistently and abandon one's disposition of attachment and anger. The Grace of Parents states that parents educate and nurture us so that we may attain self-ability; one owes one's existence to parents, and must care for and love them. The Grace of Brethren emphasizes the value of community, teaching that all members of society, including birds, beasts, trees and grass, are helpful to humanity; it refers to living with mutual interest in order to secure peace and justice. The Grace of Law says that one must learn and practice the laws of self-discipline, of the family, of the society, of the nation and of the world; these laws should mean both spiritual cultivation and equitable rule by which justice is served. (see The Scripture of Won Buddhism, pp. 8-20) Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha The mantra uttered by the Bodhisattva, translates literally as, "O Boddhi, gone to the other shore, landed at the other shore, Svaha!" Ir-Won-Sang literally ˇ°One Perfect Circle"; the origin of all beings in the universe. It is the mind-seal of all Buddhas and saints, and the Original Nature of all sentient beings. It is a state in which there is no difference between being and non-being. When one is enlightened to the Truth of Ir-Won-Sang, there follows the awareness that the entire universe is one's own; that all things are not two but one, although everything has its separate name. To practice Ir-Won-Sang is to believe in it and know one's own mind, which, like Ir-Won-Sang, is originally absolutely perfect and strictly impartial. (see The Scripture of Won Buddhism, pp.4-8) Kung An is the Northern School of Buddhism. Literally, Mahayana means the Great Vehicle. It stresses the virtues of compassion, love and wisdom. Its ideal Being is the Bodhisattva who vows to save all beings. It prescribes a path for the Boddhisattva which leads to Buddhahood or Supreme, Perfect En1ightenment and proclaims that all humans possess the spiritual potential for Buddhahood. Mahayana encompasses a metaphysical phenomena. It is predominant in Northern Asia, including China, Korea and Japan. Mantra a power-laden syllable or series of syllables that manifests certain cosmic forces and aspects of the buddhas. It is defined as a means of protecting the mind and its continuous repetition is practiced as a form of mediation that clarifies thought and with steady practice will ultimately lead to Dharma realization. Meditation is a way to concentrate the mind, calming and clarifying it like the surface of a turbulent body of water, the bottom of which one can see only when the surface is still and the water is clear. Diligent -ice of meditation leads to a nondualistic state of mind thereby awakening the Buddha Nature. By meditating one can restore the true nature of the mind, and cultivate one's ability to balance, integrate and harmonize the spiritual and the material. (see The Scripture of Won Buddhism, pp. 46-51) Na-Mu Ah-Me-Tah-Bul literally "returning to the buddha within". The purpose of chanting Na-Mu Ah-Me-Ta-Bul is to discover and return to the Absolute Bliss of one's Own Nature. Therefore, when chanting Na-Mu Ah-Me-Ta-Bul one should not be distracted by thoughts or situations and should concentrate on restoring one's mind to its unartificial and peaceful state. (see The Scripture of Won Buddhism, pp 42-43) Nirvana the realization of the true nature of the mind, identical with the true nature of human being- the buddha nature. This realization is only possible through wisdom, thus nirvana is often equated with prajna; they are two aspects of the same state. Nirvana frees one from suffering, death and rebirth, and all other worldly bonds. It is the highest transcendent consciousness and requires complete overcoming of the three unwholesome roots- desire, hatred and delusion. Nirvana, the ultimate dimension of reality, is the goal of spiritual practice in all branches of Buddhism. Paramita literally "that which has reached the other shore," the transcendental. The paramitas, generally translated as "the perfections," are the virtues perfected by a Bodhisattva in the course of his/her development. There are six of these: meditation, generosity, patience, energy or exertion, discipline and wisdom. refers to an immediately experienced intuitive wisdom that cannot be conveyed by concepts or in intellectual terms. The definitive moment of prajna is insight into emptiness, which is the true nature of reality. Prajna is one of the essential marks of Buddhahood, and is also one of the "perfections" actualized by a Bodhisattva in the course of his/her development. A state of consciousness that lies beyond waking, dreaming and deep sleep, and in which mental activity ceases. It is total absorption in the object of meditation. However, samadhi is neither a straining concentration on one point, nor is the mind directed from the subject to the object. Shariputra Shariputra came from a brahmin family, and was one of the ten great disciples of the Buddha. He was soon renowned on account of his wisdom. Six directions of rebirth hells, hungry ghosts, animals, malevolent nature spirits, human existence and heaven Six Roots Skandha term for the five aggregates, which constitute the entirety of what is generally known as ˇ°personality." They are form, sensation, perception, mental formation and consciousness. The characteristics of skandhas are birth, old age, death, duration and change. They are regarded as without essence, impermanent, empty and suffering-ridden. So-Tae-San the religious title chosen by a new Buddha, Choong Bin Park (May 5,1891-June 1,1943), the founder of Won Buddhism. So-Tae-San sought the Truth for twenty years beginning in his childhood, and was enlightened in 1916 to the Universal Principle which discerns the relationship between the phenomenal world and the ultimate reality (see Ir- Won-Sang). Literally, the three syllables of his title translate respectively as "Infinitesimal, Infinite and Eternally Present Mountain." Sutra a scriptural narrative, especially a text traditionally regarded as a discourse of the Buddha or one of his disciples; literally "thread." Three Classics Three Great Powers Won Buddhism is a new Buddhism of Mahayana tradition; it was founded by So-Tae-San in 1916 in Korea. It has introduced practical egalitarian Buddhism to the contemporary world so that Buddhist truth might be expressed in daily life. Won Buddhism's three basic goals are modernization, vitalization and practical application of Buddhism (see The Scripture of Won Buddhism, pp.1-3) Young Joo verse of the divine spirit; Young Joo is a Won Buddhist chant that refers to the purifying and transcending of oneself in striving toward Buddhahood. (see Won Buddhism Chants & Hymns, pp.3) ˇˇ ˇˇ |