Abhidhamma/Abhidharma: Pali and Sanskrit terms for the “higher” dhamma/dharma or teachings of the Buddha. These texts are the philosophical and psychological explanations, clarifications, and commentaries on the teachings of the Buddha contained in the suttas/sutras.

Buddha: Pali and Sanskrit title, derived from the word “budh,” meaning to awaken, it is used for anyone who has achieved enlightenment (bodhi) or awakened to the truth about the way things really are. According to the Theravada tradition, the Buddha was a human being who, as a result of sustained disciplined practice, underwent a profound religious and spiritual transformation. This conception was considerably expanded by the Mahayana tradition to include numerous Buddhas from other worlds. The central function of a Buddha is to teach the Dhamma to unenlightened beings.

Dassana/Darsana: Pali and Sanskrit words for “seeing” or “vision,” they refer both to what is sought in ritual practices (i.e., seeing and being seen by the gods) and to what is sought from a teacher or spiritual guide. In a philosophical sense, these terms refer to the “system” or “view” of a given thinker and his followers.

Dhamma/Dharma: Perhaps the most ambiguous Pali and Sanskrit terms, they refer to the order of the universe, the nature and proper functioning of things, the basic elements of a thing, the moral law, ethical duties, and truth. […]