Glossary

This glossary provides definitions for key Buddhist terms, concepts, and practices referenced throughout the Middle Way Education Curricular Framework. Terms are drawn from multiple Buddhist traditions and include both original language words (Sanskrit, Pali, Japanese, Tibetan) and English translations. Each definition aims to be accessible while maintaining accuracy to traditional meanings.

The glossary serves as a reference tool for educators and students engaging with Buddhist concepts across the framework’s five domains. Definitions emphasize practical understanding and application rather than purely academic interpretation, supporting the framework’s inquiry-based approach to learning.

Terms marked with asterisks (*) indicate transliterated words from original Buddhist languages. Cross-references appear in parentheses where relevant concepts connect to other glossary entries.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Pali
An ancient Indian language in which the earliest teachings of the Buddha were preserved; still used in Theravada Buddhist texts and practice.
Pancha Shila (Five Precepts)
A foundational ethical code for lay practitioners, consisting of five precepts: to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.
Paramita (Perfection)
A transcendent perfection or virtue practiced by bodhisattvas on the path to awakening; traditionally, these include generosity, discipline, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom.
Pilgrimage
A journey to a place of religious significance, undertaken as a practice of devotion, reflection, and merit-making.
Prajnaparamita
The perfection of wisdom; the deep understanding of emptiness that transcends conceptual understanding and leads to full awakening.
Pramana (Valid Cognition)
Valid cognition or reliable knowledge; in Buddhist philosophy, it refers to the means by which accurate understanding is obtained, such as direct perception and logical inference.
Pranayama
Breath control practices used to calm the mind and regulate energy; more common in Hindu and yogic traditions, though some forms appear in Buddhist contexts.
Pratimoksha (Individual Liberation)
The individual liberation vows and code of monastic discipline followed by monks and nuns, forming the ethical foundation of the Buddhist path.
Prostration
A physical act of bowing or lying flat on the ground to express respect, humility, and devotion, often performed before images of the Buddha or teachers.
Puja (Offering)
A ceremonial act of reverence that may include offerings, chanting, and ritual, performed to honor the Buddha, bodhisattvas, or protectors.
Punya (Puñña)
Merit accumulated through virtuous actions, generosity, and devotion, which supports progress and favorable conditions for future lives.