Insight into Glossary of Buddhist Terms

 

One of the ten epithets of the Buddha being the Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment (Skt. samyak-saṃbuddha) shows the fact that the Buddha possesses the wisdom of not only a psychologist but also a scientist. The 52 exhaustive predetermined stages of Mahayana cultivation are the ascending Path established by the Buddha [His actual practicing stages] to attain Buddhahood.

The Bodhi path is way beyond humans’ comprehension; instead of indulging in sensual pleasures, it aims to leave the phenomenal world far behind. Some might feel that Buddhist cultivations contradict worldly values. However, as stated by the Buddha, “The awakening dharma of the Buddha goes against the mundane. That which the mundane cherishes is despised by the Way. Clear and turbid waters flow separate ways, the wise and the ignorant take different paths; enmity is inevitable between the righteous and the corrupt, and the evil always resent the virtuous.” Luo Yun Sutra of Forbearance, Vol.1

As a result, the Buddha tactfully set up a profound cultivation process that includes 52 predetermined stages. Many terms carry specific number prefixes for easy memory. These numeric Buddhist terms are adopted [based on objects we are familiar with] to help us practice daily observation: especially on our physical body and mind.

Moreover, Buddhist methods of contemplation and observation can actually be comparable to an extensive and in-depth mental dissection beyond the scope of current scientific research. Thus, having good concentration skills and observation capacity (knowing the correct meaning of each technical term and its relevant knowledge) are imperative to enable further progress.

In other words, the glossaries of Buddhist terms pursue the worldly counting method to lay out its teaching curriculum. For example, the three realms, the three poisons, the four noble truths, the five aggregates, the six sense organs, the six consciousnesses, the eightfold paths, the tenfold chain of dependent arising, the thirty-seven wings of enlightenment/factors pertaining to awakening. (S. bodhipasikadharma), etc.

Additionally, terms such as the six sense bases or sense organs (S: INDRIYA), the twelve sources (S:AYATANA), and eighteen elements (S:DHATU) can all be understood and observed [our mind and body] based on worldly teachings. Eventually, practitioners can count the numbers one by one to crosscheck for themselves whether one’s self-view or self-attachment have been eliminated; these are the very basics of the First Turning of the Dharma Wheel, thus termed as the worldly counting method.

Since the True Mind itself – the absolute, ultimate alayavijnana - does not belong to any of the countable phenomenal dharma, it would be rather difficult for practitioners to realize and observe it. Hence, the Buddha repeatedly taught and elucidated on the characteristics of alayavijnana during the Second Turning of the Dharma Wheel to help all Buddhists take on the Buddhahood Way. 

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