Pali

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Revision as of 10:11, 25 July 2020 by imported>Pat Palmer (→‎A comparison of common terms in Sanskit vs. Pali: switching format to a table)
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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

Sanskrit Pali definition
arhat arahant 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 dhamma "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 kamma "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 nibbana a state of peacefulness; a complete lack of suffering
sutra sutta "discourse": in Buddhist literature, a verse (or collection of verses on one topic)
sangha sangha a community of friends helping each other to practice the teachings of the Buddha