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 Sanskit vs. Pali ==+

• arhat (Sanskrit) or arahant (Pali)
  • one who sees the true nature of existence and has conquered their own negative tendencies so that they no longer take 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