Bodhisattva (Mahayana Buddhism): A spirit guide; one who has attained enlightenment but, out of compassion for the unenlightened masses, delays entering nirvana in order to come back (in spirit form) to guide others along the path.

Dalai Lama: The worldly leader of Tibetan Buddhism; "Ocean of Wisdom" ("Dalai" means "ocean" in Mongolian and "Lama" means "spiritual teacher" – it is the Tibetan equivalent of the Sanskrit word " guru "). Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama to be one of innumerable incarnations of the bodhisattva of compassion. The current Dalai Lama lives in exile from Tibet.

Dharma: Religious observances; conformity to the law; duty; virtue.

Enlightenment: The state one achieves when one overcomes all desire; the absence of desire.

Hinayana Buddhism: “The Lesser Vehicle”; also called "Theravada Buddhism." In Hinayana Buddhism, enlightenment is accessible only by the committed few.

Karma: The Law of Cause and Effect (do good, get good/do bad, get bad); belief that the totality of one’s actions and the results of those actions determine one’s fate in subsequent reincarnations. Karma is unchangeable, cannot be undone, altered, avoided, or forgiven.

Mahayana Buddhism: “The Greater Vehicle”; sometimes called Northern Buddhism; largely found in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet and Mongolia. In Mahayana Buddhism, enlightenment is available to everyone.

Mandala: A sacred diagram used in tantric meditations; a doorway to the netherworld; used to invoke the presence of the spirit world.

Mantra: A sacred word or short phrase chanted repeatedly by disciples of Vajrayana Buddhism in order to achieve enlightenment.

Merit: A reward which increases good karma; earned by good conduct or good character qualities; in Mahayana Buddhism merit can be transferred from a bodhisattva, in Tibetan Buddhism, merit is earned by performing ritualistic works such as circumambulation (walking around sacred sites), repeating “prayers” (mantras), spinning prayer wheels, or viewing a prayer flag or carved prayer stone.

Nirvana: A condition of non-existence, emptiness and nothingness. (Lit: “a blowing out, or extinction, of the flame”)

Panchen Lama: “Jewel of the scholars”, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Current Panchen Lama lives in Beijing, China.

Reincarnation/Rebirth (Samsara): endless cycle of deaths and rebirths propelled and determined by karma.

Sangha: The brotherhood of monks, Buddhist communities.

Tantra Techniques: techniques used in Vajrayana Buddhism to attain Buddhahood ; rooted in scriptures known as tantras . Tantric techniques include: repetition of special ritual phrases ( mantras ); use of yoga techniques such as breath control and special hand positions ( mudras ); use of visual aids such as cosmic mandala diagrams; use of ritual objects such as the vajra , bell, and other symbolic tools and musical instruments; use of specialized rituals; guru to disciple 'empowerments' or 'initiations' in which the student obtains permission to practice a particular tantra; oral transmissions given by a tantric master (secret teachings only given personally from teacher to student; describing certain states of mind requiring maturity in the student); and sexual practices and symbolism representing the union of wisdom and compassion.

The Four Noble Truths: Man’s predicament.

The Noble Eight-Fold Path: A system of behaviors and attitudes; the way of release from man’s predicament.

Theravada Buddhism: “The teaching of the elders”; also called Hinayana; sometimes called Southern Buddhism; the dominant school of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, and Laos. The goal of Theravada Buddhism is liberation from the cycle of rebirth ( samsara ) by achieving nirvana.

Tibetan Buddhism: A form of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Vajrayana Buddhism: "Thunderbolt/Indestructible/Diamond Vehicle”; Vajrayana claims to provide an accelerated path to enlightenment ; also known as Tantric, Mantrayana, Tantrayana, or Esoteric Buddhism. The two major schools are Tibetan Buddhism (found in Tibet , Bhutan , northern India , Nepal , southwestern and northern China , Mongolia , and adjacent areas of Russia ) and Shingon Buddhism (found in Japan). Vajrayana is considered to be a path within Mahayana since both accept the importance of bodhisattvas and a pantheon of deities. Vajrayana is distinguished by special practices used to accelerate awakening/enlightenment; these include tantric techniques and esoteric transmission or initiation (in which accelerating factors are transmitted directly from teacher to student). The goal of Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions is to become a Buddha by following the bodhisattva path. Tibetan-style Vajrayana Buddhism is popular in the West.

Yana: A “vehicle” or “way” of spiritual progress.

Zen Buddhism: A form of Mahayana Buddhism; originating in China where it is called Chan; practiced mainly in Japan, but becoming increasingly popular in the West. Zen emphasizes a close relationship between a master and his disciples. Some followers of Zen believe that satori or enlightenment comes in a sudden flash of insight. Others believe that satori must be achieved gradually through a long process of self-discipline, meditation, and instruction.