This page contains explanations of some Buddhist terminology, as well as the structure of Cardiff Buddhist Centre.
Glossary of terms
There are a variety of terms used in Buddhist communities which originate from the ancient Indian Pali and Sanskrit languages. Sanskrit is the language that many ancient Buddhist texts were written in, and Pali is the closest known language to the language the Buddha would have spoken.
Here are some common terms:
- Dāna: the virtue of generosity or charity. Many of our events are run on a ‘dāna basis’; this means that they have no entry cost, but if you believe they have brought you value and you would like us to be able to continue to provide them, you are welcome to make a donation.
- Dharma: the teachings of the Buddha.
- Pūjā: a common form of ritual in Buddhist tradition. See ‘What is pūjā?’ below.
- Sangha: the Buddhist community.
What is Triratna?
Cardiff Buddhist Centre is part of the Triratna Buddhist community, triratna meaning ‘three jewels’ in Sanskrit (referring to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha). It is an ecumenical Buddhist movement, aligned to no one tradition or school, but drawing selectively on the whole stream of Buddhist inspiration. It is one of the largest Buddhist communities in the United Kingdom.
What is pūjā?
Pūjā is a common form of ritual within Buddhist traditions. In the Triratna Buddhist community, it often consists of listening to short readings, chanting, and making offerings at a shrine.
There is no pressure to participate in a pūjā. If you do not feel comfortable doing so at an event, please feel free to sit quietly and observe the ritual. The words for the ritual will be provided in a pamphlet if you would like to take part, and much of the ritual will be done in call-and-response.
What is a mitra?
Once you have been to a couple of introductory courses, you may consider becoming a mitra (Sanskrit for ‘friend’). This is a commitment that you would (at least for the foreseeable future) like to deepen your practice and friendship with Buddhism and the Buddhist community. This is a provisional commitment of three things:
- You feel that you are a Buddhist;
- You are trying to practice the five precepts of Buddhist ethics;
- You feel that the triratna buddhist community is the main context in which you want to deepen your practice.
If you have been to follow-on courses at the centre and would like to become a mitra, consider bringing it up with one of our mitra convenors; our convenors are Sagaradana and Padmasimha (for men), and Muditalila and Amalavasini (for women). Becoming a mitra will be marked with a small ceremony, and you will be given the opportunity to join a mitra study group where you will meet regularly with other mitras and have an opportunity to learn and deepen your practice together.
What is an order member?
The Cardiff Buddhist Centre is mainly run by members of the Triratna Buddhist Order. These are people who have made a lifelong commitment to Buddhism, and placed it at the centre of their lives. Becoming ordained is a serious commitment, and it takes a number of years to be ready for ordination. Ordinations are performed by senior members of the order, known as preceptors.
Upon ordination, order members are given a new Pali or Sanskrit name by their preceptor.