Bodhisattva
A person who attains nirvana by working for the welfare or the world and voluntarily postpones release from rebirth; also regarded as an incarnation of the Buddha, prior to his own birth in the world.
Vassavasa
The monsoon retreat of Buddhist monks.
Upasika
A female lay follower of the Buddha's teaching.
Hinayana
Hinayana Buddhists believe that The Buddha was an ordinary Human.
The ideal of Hinayana is individual salvation.
Third Buddhist Council
It was held at Pataliputra under the patronage of Asoka. Moggaliputta Tissa presided over it.
The final version of Tripitakas was completed in this council.
Sutta Pitaka
The Sutta Pitaka consists of five sections (nikayas) of religious discourses and sayings of Buddha.
Second Buddhist Council
It was held in Vaishali, a village in Bihar under the patronage of the king Kalasoka in 383 BC.
It was presided by Sabakami.
Vinaya Pitaka
The Vinaya Pitaka contains the rules of monastic discipline.
Kushinagar (UP)
It is the site of Buddha’s death and mahaparinirvana.
Fourth Buddhist Council
It was convened in Kashmir by Kanishka under the chairmanship of Vasumitra. Asvagosha participated in this council.
The new school of Buddhism called Mahayana Buddhism came into existence during this council.
Bhikkhuni
A Buddhist nun
Nibbana
A term used often in the Buddhist tradition for liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Mahayana
Mahayana Buddhists believe that The Buddha is a God.
Ideal of Mahayana is Bodhisatva.
Vihara
Dwelling Place of Monks
Upasaka
Arhat
A person who has attained enlightenment.
Abhidhamma Pitaka
The Abhidhamma Pitaka contains the philosophical ideas of teachingsof Buddha. It is written in the form of questions and answers.
Sarnath (UP)
Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon or Dhammachakraparivartan Sutra.
Torana
The gateway of a stupa
Bodhgaya (Bihar)
Place of enlightment of Buddha.
Chaitya
Place of Worship
Yogachara
A major Mahayana school which attached great importance to meditation as a means of attaining the highest goal.
Bhikkhu
A Buddhist monk
Lumbini (Nepal)
Birth place of Buddha.
First Buddhist Council
It was held at Rajagraha under the chairmanship of Mahakasapa immediately after the death of Buddha.
Its purpose was to maintain the purity of the teachings of the Buddha.