Buddhist glossary for temple visitors
Listed alphabetically. Each entry gives the usual meaning; traditions may understand terms slightly differently.
Amitabha (A Di Đà). The name of a Buddha recited in the Pure Land tradition.
Bell (chuông). A bronze instrument with a long ring, marking times of chanting.
Bodhisattva (Bồ Tát). One who vows to help beings on the path. Avalokiteshvara, Ksitigarbha, Manjushri and Samantabhadra are widely known.
Bowing (lạy). Lowering the body to show respect; deeper than the slight bow (vái).
Censer (lư hương). A vessel for incense, usually of bronze or stone.
Chanting (tụng kinh). Reciting sutras in rhythm.
Cushion (đệm, bồ đoàn). A mat for kneeling or sitting in meditation.
Daily practice (công phu). Everyday practice such as chanting, recitation and sitting. Morning and evening sessions are common in temples.
Incense (hương). Sticks lit before a statue. See how to pay respects.
Main hall (chánh điện). The central hall of a temple, for the Buddha and for services.
Meditation (thiền). Sitting still, following the breath and the mind, to observe what is happening.
Meditation hall (thiền đường). A hall for sitting meditation.
New-moon and full-moon days (mùng một, rằm). The first and fifteenth of the lunar month. See the calendar.
Offering table (bàn hương án). The table before the Buddha with censer, lamps, flowers and fruit.
Palms together (hợp chưởng). Pressing the palms together at the chest as a sign of respect.
Precepts (giới). Commitments for living cleanly, such as the five precepts of lay followers.
Reciting the Buddha's name (niệm Phật). Calling the Buddha to mind and saying his name.
Refuge (quy y). Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Relics (xá lợi). Venerated remains of a practitioner after death.
Sangha (Tăng). The community of those who have left home to practise; also a single monk.
Slight bow (vái). Palms together and a gentle bow as greeting or respect.
Stupa (tháp). A tiered structure holding relics or ashes of monastics.
Temple ancestors' hall (nhà tổ). Where the temple's teachers are honoured.
Three Jewels (Tam Bảo). Buddha, Dharma, Sangha: the three things to rely on.
Three-door gate (tam quan). The main gate of a temple, usually with three passages.
Vía. A day commemorating a Buddha or Bodhisattva, such as Avalokiteshvara's days.
Wooden fish (mõ). A round wooden instrument struck to keep rhythm while chanting.
Buddhist follower (Phật tử). A person who has taken refuge and follows the Buddha's teaching.