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Eastern Philosophy Key Terms
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Zen
A school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship or the study of scriptures.
Samsara
The cycle of death and rebirth to which life in the material world is bound. The concept is found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
Nirvana
In Buddhism, it is the ultimate spiritual goal, the state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
Ahimsa
The principle of non-violence toward all living beings, central to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Four Noble Truths
These are the core teachings of Buddhism that diagnose the nature of suffering and prescribe the method to extinguish it.
Atman
The spiritual life principle of the universe, especially when regarded as inherent in the real self of the individual in Hinduism.
Brahman
In Hindu philosophy, the ultimate reality or universal substance which is the source of all physical and spiritual existence.
I Ching
An ancient Chinese divination text and among the oldest of the Chinese classics, consisting of sixty-four hexagrams and their interpretations.
Confucius
An influential Chinese philosopher who lived during the 6th century BCE and whose teachings emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity.
Yin and Yang
Two principles, one negative, dark, and feminine (Yin) and one positive, bright, and masculine (Yang), whose interaction influences the destinies of creatures and things.
Non-attachment
The practice of letting go of desires and possessions, often associated with the path to enlightenment in various Eastern philosophies.
Sunyata
The Buddhist teaching of emptiness, meaning that all phenomena are devoid of intrinsic existence and that nothing possesses essential, enduring identity.
Moksha
In Hinduism and Jainism, it is the liberation from the cycle of samsara and a transcendence to a state beyond suffering.
Satori
In Zen Buddhism, a sudden enlightenment and a state of consciousness attained by intuitive illumination representing the spiritual goal.
Vedas
A large body of religious texts originating in ancient India, forming the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
Laozi
An ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, considered the founder of Taoism and traditionally the author of the 'Tao Te Ching'.
Dharma
In Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, it represents the cosmic law and order but also pertains to the ethical duty based on the individual's role in society.
Feng Shui
A Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment through design and layout.
Tao (Dao)
A concept in Taoism representing the fundamental or true nature of the world, simple in its complexity and complex in its simplicity.
Eightfold Path
In Buddhism, a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions.
Karma
The sum of a person's actions and their ethical consequences determine the future experiences of the individual, relevant in various Indian religions.
Bodhisattva
In Mahayana Buddhism, a person who is on the path towards Buddhahood and delays their own nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.
Mandala
A spiritual and ritual symbol representing the universe in Hinduism and Buddhism, typically in the form of a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side.
Qi (Chi)
A vital force forming part of any living entity in Chinese philosophy and medicine, correlating with the energy flow of the universe.
Sutra
A type of literary genre found in Indian religious teaching literature, encompassing a diverse collection of aphoristic texts and scriptures.
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