Pali
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Pali is a Middle Indic language native to the Indian subcontinent. It is the language of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. Pali is closely related to Sanskrit family of languages.
Some common nouns in Sanskit and 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 | "not bound": a state of peacefulness; a complete lack of suffering |
shanti | santi | "peace" |
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 |