Pali

Pali is a Middle Indo-Aryan language native to the Indian subcontinent. It is the language of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. Pali is more or less closely related to Sanskrit.

A comparison of common terms in Vedic Sanskit vs. Pali

• arhat (Sanskrit) or arahant (Pali)
  • one who gained insight into the true nature of existence and no longer takes karmic actions (those with negative consequences for themselves or anyone else); similar to 'saint' in Christianity
• Dharma (Sanskit) or Dhamma (Pali)
  • "to uphold": refers to the teachings of the Buddha about how the universe works and how a person can minimize or avoid suffering for themselves and others
• karma (Sanskrit) and kamma (Pali), "action"
  • "action": a thought, speech or deed which results in immediate or future (negative) consequences; or, the part of one's fate which is a consequence of past karmic actions by oneself and/or others
• nirvana (Sanskrit) vs. nibbana (Pali)
  • a state of peacefulness; a complete lack of suffering
• sutra (Sanskit) or sutta (Pali)
  • "discourse": in Buddhist literature, a verse (or collection of verses on one topic)

• sangha is the same in both
  • a community of friends helping each other to practice the teachings of the Buddha