Glossary: D.
The glossary is a simple dictionary of terms you will find in Buddhism. You may not find an entry you're looking for. This is because I haven't included it yet. This is so, even if you've clicked a link to it elsewhere. So, if you can't find an entry today, try again at a later date.
Dāna. This is a Sanskrit and Pali word meaning “generosity”. It is a key virtue that counters selfishness and tṛṣṇā, craving or greed. It is one of the kuśala-mūla, the three roots of virtue.
Defilements. See: kleśa.
Delusion. See: āvidyā.
Dependent origination. See: pratītya-samutpāda .
Desire. See: tṛṣṇā.
Dhamma. See: dharma.
Dharma. This is a Sanskrit word with several meanings. The Pali word is dhamma. 1. “Dharma”. This is the natural law or order that governs the workings of the universe. These include both the moral and physical spheres. 2. “The Dharma”, “Buddha-dharma”, and so on. This is the whole set of teachings of the Buddha and Buddhism. These are thought to accurately represent Dharma in sense 1. In this way, the Dharma is one of the triratna or “Three Jewels”. 3. “dharma(s)”. These are the individual elements or phenomena that make up the empirical world. These include elements external to the observer as well as psychological ones within him or her and others. In this sense, it leads to the concept of śūnyatā, emptiness.
Dhyāna. This is a Sanskrit word meaning “trance” or “absorption”. The Pali word is jhāna. It is a deep state of absorption with the characteristic of lucid awareness. It is a key practice of Buddhism on the path to bodhi. The schools of Chán and Zen derive their names from this Sanskrit word.
Dosa. See: Dveṣa.
Duḥkha. This is a Sanskrit word. The Pali word is dukkha. The word itself has no English translation. It is often misleadingly translated as “suffering”, but its meaning is more subtle. It may be better translated as “flawed” or “impermanent”. Words beginning with dis, like disease, discontent, displeasure, disquiet and so on better catch its meaning. Duḥkha is the problem which Buddhism addresses, and Nirvana is the answer. It arises through āvidyā, primordial ignorance of the Dharma in senses 1 and 2. The existence of duḥkha is recognised in the first of the Four Noble Truths. See also: nirodha, samudāya.
Dukkha. See: duḥkha.
Dveṣa. This is a Sanskrit word meaning “anger” or “hatred”. The Pali word is dosa. It is one of the akuśala-mūla, the “three roots of evil”. It is countered by kṣānti, patience or tolerance.