7.3 · Sanskrit · Reference
Sanskrit Terms
in Buddhist Context
ຄ ຳ ສ ັ ບ ສ ັ ນ ສ ກ ິ ດ ໃ ນ ສ ັ ງ ກ ະ ພ ຸ ດ ທ ສ າ ສ ະ ໜ າ
Sanskrit is the classical Indian language from which both Pāli and many Buddhist concepts derive. While Theravāda Buddhism uses Pāli, many Sanskrit terms appear in Western Buddhist writing and in Mahāyāna traditions. This glossary clarifies the most commonly encountered Sanskrit terms and their relationship to Lao Buddhist usage.
🔎 Sanskrit vs. Pāli
Many terms appear in both Sanskrit and Pāli forms — often with slight differences in spelling. For example: Sanskrit “Dharma” = Pāli “Dhamma”; Sanskrit “Karma” = Pāli “Kamma”; Sanskrit “Nirvāṇa” = Pāli “Nibbāna.” LaoDharma.org uses Pāli throughout (as befits the Theravāda tradition) but cross-references Sanskrit forms so readers familiar with Mahāyāna or popular Western Buddhism can find their bearings.
A
Ahiṃsā
— ah-HIM-sah
ອຫິງສາ
Sanskrit
Non-harming; non-violence. The fundamental Buddhist (and broader Indian) ethical principle of not causing harm to any sentient being. The Pāli equivalent is ahiṃsā as well. Expressed in the First Precept (refraining from killing), in vegetarianism (for some traditions), and in the broad orientation of compassion toward all life.
See also: Mettā, Karuṇā
Apsara
— AP-sah-rah
ອັບ ສອ ນ
Sanskrit
Celestial dancer; heavenly nymph. In Buddhist cosmology, a class of divine female beings inhabiting the heavenly realms, known for extraordinary beauty and grace. The classical Lao dance tradition draws on Apsara iconography — the graceful hand positions (mudras) imitate the gestures depicted in temple murals of celestial beings.
See also: Brahmā, Deva
B
Bodhi
— BOH-dee
ໂພທິ
Sanskrit
Awakening; enlightenment. The state of complete awakening attained by the Buddha under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. The “Bodhi tree” (ຕົ້ນ ໂພ) is the fig tree beneath which Siddhartha attained enlightenment — sacred across all Buddhist traditions.
See also: Buddha, Nibbāna
Bodhisattva
— boh-dee-SAT-vah
ໂພທິສັດ
Sanskrit
A being oriented toward enlightenment. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, a being who has vowed to achieve Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings, and who delays personal liberation out of compassion. In Theravāda, used specifically to refer to the Buddha in his previous lives (Pāli: Bodhisatta).
See also: Arahant, Mettā
Brahma
— BRAH-mah
ພຣ ະ ພົ ມ
Sanskrit
A class of divine beings in the fine-material and formless realms. In Buddhist cosmology, Brahmā beings inhabit the higher heavens accessible through deep meditative absorption (jhāna). The Buddha is said to have taught at the request of Brahma Sahampati, who asked him not to keep the Dhamma to himself.
See also: Deva, Jhāna, Brahmavihāra
D
Dharma
— DAR-mah
ທ ຳ
Sanskrit
Sanskrit equivalent of the Pāli “Dhamma.” The teaching of the Buddha; the truth of reality. Used in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism and commonly encountered in Western Buddhist writing. LaoDharma.org uses “Dhamma” throughout to reflect the Theravāda Pāli tradition.
See also: Dhamma
Deva
— DAY-vah
ເທ ວ ດ າ
Sanskrit
Divine being; heavenly being. A class of beings inhabiting the six heavens of the sensory realm (kāmāvacara). Devas have long lifespans and experience great pleasure but remain within Saṃsāra and will eventually die and be reborn elsewhere according to their kamma.
See also: Brahmā, Saṃsāra
J
Jātaka
— JAH-tah-kah
ຊາ ດົກ
Sanskrit/Pāli
Birth story; story of a previous life of the Buddha. A collection of 547 stories in the Pāli Canon describing the Buddha’s previous lives as the Bodhisatta — each illustrating a spiritual perfection (pāramī). The most beloved is the Mahāvessantara Jātaka, recited in full at Boun Pha Vet.
See also: Bodhisattva, Boun Pha Vet
K
Karma
— KAR-mah
ກ ຳ
Sanskrit
Sanskrit equivalent of the Pāli “Kamma.” Intentional action and its moral consequences. The most widely known Sanskrit Buddhist term in the West — often misunderstood as “fate” or cosmic punishment. Buddhism teaches that karma is specifically about intention, not outcome, and that it can be transformed through practice.
See also: Kamma
M
Mantra
— MAN-trah
ມ ົ ນ ຕ ຣ
Sanskrit
A sacred syllable, word, or phrase repeated in meditation or ceremony. While mantras are most closely associated with Vajrayāna (Tibetan) Buddhism, some are used in Theravāda contexts — particularly “Namo Tassa” which functions as an invocatory formula. The Lao Buddhist use of protective chanting (suat mon) is related to the mantra tradition.
See also: Suat Mon, Namo Tassa
Mudra
— MOO-drah
ມ ຸ ດ ຣ າ
Sanskrit
Sacred hand gesture. A symbolic hand position used in meditation, ceremony, and artistic representation of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Each mudra has a specific meaning — the earth-touching gesture (bhumisparsha) at the moment of enlightenment; the teaching gesture (dharmachakra); the meditation posture (dhyana). Replicated in classical Lao dance.
See also: Apsara, Dhamma
N
Nāga
— NAH-gah
ນ າ ກ
Sanskrit/Pāli
Sacred serpent; mythological water dragon. A class of powerful serpentine beings associated with rivers, rain, and water in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The Mekong River is believed to be inhabited by Nāga. The illuminated boats at Ok Phansa are offered to the Nāga of the river. Nāga imagery decorates the rooflines of all Lao temples.
See also: Mekong, Ok Phansa, Wat
Nirvāṇa
— nir-VAH-nah
ນ ິ ພ ພ ານ
Sanskrit
Sanskrit equivalent of the Pāli “Nibbāna.” Liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. The most commonly used form in Western Buddhist writing. LaoDharma.org uses “Nibbāna” throughout to reflect the Theravāda Pāli tradition.
See also: Nibbāna
P
Pāramī / Pāramitā
— pah-RAH-mee
ປ າ ລ ະ ມີ
Sanskrit/Pāli
Spiritual perfection; virtue cultivated to its ultimate degree. Ten qualities — generosity, virtue, renunciation, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, resolve, loving-kindness, equanimity — that the Buddha cultivated across countless lives before his final enlightenment. The Mahāvessantara Jātaka (Boun Pha Vet) illustrates dāna pāramī — the perfection of generosity.
See also: Jātaka, Boun Pha Vet
R
Rāmāyaṇa
— rah-MAH-yah-nah
ພ ຣ ະ ລ ັ ກ ພ ຣ ະ ລ າ ມ
Sanskrit
The great Indian epic; adapted in Lao as Pha Lak Pha Lam. One of the two great Sanskrit epics of India — the story of Prince Rāma’s quest to rescue his wife Sīta from the demon king Rāvana. In Laos, the story was adapted as Pha Lak Pha Lam (ພຣະລັກ ພຣະລາມ) and became central to Lao classical dance, shadow puppetry, and temple mural art.
See also: Apsara, Classical Dance
S
Saṃsāra
— sam-SAH-rah
ສ ົ ງ ສ ານ
Sanskrit
The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Sanskrit equivalent of the Pāli Saṃsāra. The condition from which all Buddhist practice aims to achieve liberation — not through annihilation but through the complete cessation of craving that fuels rebirth.
See also: Nirvāṇa, Karma, Rebirth
Sangha
— SANG-hah
ພ ຣ ະ ສ ົ ງ
Sanskrit
Community of practitioners; the third of the Three Jewels. Sanskrit equivalent of the Pāli Sangha. In everyday Western usage, sometimes refers to any Buddhist community including laypeople — in formal Theravāda usage, specifically the community of ordained monastics.
See also: Tiratana, Bhikkhu
Stūpa
— STOO-pah
ທ າ ດ
Sanskrit
Relic mound; sacred tower. A domed or tapering structure housing Buddhist relics — of the Buddha, important monks, or royal patrons. The Lao equivalent is “That” (ທາດ). Pha That Luang in Vientiane is the supreme stupa of Laos. The act of building or donating to a stupa is considered extraordinarily meritorious.
See also: That, Pha That Luang