mindfulness
See: sati
M
mudita
Translated as joy or sympathetic joy, mudita is the practice of delighting in the happiness and good fortune of others. It functions as a direct antidote to envy and resentment. Mudita is one of the four…
middle way
The Buddhist path that avoids the extremes of self-indulgence and severe asceticism, both of which the Buddha practiced before awakening. The term also names a philosophical position articulated by Nagarjuna and systematized in the Madhyamaka tradition,…
meditation
In Buddhist contexts, meditation literally means cultivation or bringing into being. It refers to a wide range of practices aimed at developing the mind, including ethical and emotional cultivation, analytical contemplation, seated meditation, and visualization. Meditation…
metta
Translated as loving-kindness or friendliness, metta is one of the four immeasurable qualities, alongside compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Traditionally, metta is cultivated as a direct antidote to hatred, ill will, anger, and aversion. In modern…
mandala
Literally meaning circle, a mandala is a symbolic diagram used to represent the Buddhist cosmos, enlightened realms, the presence of a deity, and even political power. Mandalas are especially prominent in Vajrayana rituals and art, including…
mantra
A mantra is a short, repeated sequence of syllables used in Buddhist ritual and meditation. Often translated as spell, charm, or magical formula, mantras may or may not have literal semantic meaning and are valued for…
Mahayana
Literally meaning great vehicle, Mahayana is a broad family of Buddhist traditions that developed in India several centuries after the Buddha’s death and later spread across East and Central Asia. Mahayana teachings emphasize the bodhisattva path,…
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