August 12, 2016; Revised May 27, 2017; February 19, 2020; May 29, 2022 (#4 added)
“Tipiṭaka English” Convention
1. I have revised the Pāli words to align with the convention used by most English texts. This convention was apparently adapted by the early European scholars (Rhys Davis and others) in order to keep the length of the word short. I will use this convention in new posts and try to update old posts gradually. See the following two posts for details:
- “Tipiṭaka English” Convention Adopted by Early European Scholars – Part 1
- “Tipiṭaka English” Convention Adopted by Early European Scholars – Part 2
Additional Pronunciation Keys:
.”a” is pronounced like “u” in cut; “ā” is pronounced like “a” in father
- “i” is pronounced like “i” in sit; “ī” is pronounced like “ee” in bee
- “u” is pronounced like “u” in “put”; “ū” is pronounced like “oo” in cool
- “ō” is pronounced like “oe” in “Moe”; “ē” is pronounced like “a” in pay
- “c” needs to be pronounced like “ch” as in “charm” or “chicago”
- “ñ” needs to be pronounced like “gn” in “signor”
2. This glossary is in two posts because there are a total of over 400 Pāli words included now. This is the first part of the glossary; second part at “Pāli Glossary – (L-Z)“.
- I have been able to get the audio files incorporated, and also have provided links to key posts whenever possible/needed.
- We also have a “Popup Pāli Glossary with Pronunciation“, thanks to Mr. Seng Kiat Ng. If that GoldenDict dictionary is installed on your computer, you will be able to access this glossary from each post directly. Furthermore, it could provide translations from other online dictionaries as well.
3. Relevant posts on any of the words can be found by using the “Search” box on the top right.
Pali Word | Meaning | Audio |
---|---|---|
abhaya | "a" +"bhaya"; doing something to stop someone's fear | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
abhaya dāna | saving the life of a living being | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
abhijjhā | strong greed | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
abhiññā | supermundane powers | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
abhisaṅkhāra | strong sankhara that lead to rebirths and strong vipaka | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ādīnava | bad outcome: Assāda, Ādīnava, Nissarana – Introduction | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
adhimokkha | arising to the top; reaching a high value | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
adhivāsana | things one gets used to based on sansaric habits; part of gathi | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
adinnādāna | stealing; taking something without permission | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
adōsa | without hatred | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ajjhatta | internal | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ākāsa | space (the void in between rupa) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ākāsānañcāyatana | first arupa brahma realm | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ākiñcaññāyatana | third arupa brahma realm | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
akusala | immoral act | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āhāra | nutrients (for body or mind) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ahetuka | without good roots | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ahirika | shamelessness | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
akālika | remove defilements or timeless (no birth or death, i.e., Nibbana) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
alōbha | without greed | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ālōka | light, dissociating from “this world” | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āmisa | mundane (belonging to 31 realms) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
amōha | without delusion; moral mindset | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
amurta | fine food (drink) of devas | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Anāgāmi | Non-Returner (to the human world) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anāgata | future | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ānāpāna | 7. What is Änapäna? | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ānāpānasati | 6. Anäpänasati Bhävanä (Introduction) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anāriya | not Noble | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anatoppa | fear of doing immoral deeds | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anatta | not in-control, helpless | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ānenjābhi sankhāra | Sankhara, Kamma, Kamma Beeja, Kamma Vipaka | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anicca | inability to maintain to one’s satisfaction | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Aniccatā | tendency to change unexpectedly; characteristic of a rupa: Rupa (Material Form) – Table | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anidassana | Cannot be seen; can also mean pure as in anidassana vinnana | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
animisa | without pausing for even a moment: Animisa Locana Bodhi Poojawa – A Prelude to Acts of Gratitude | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
aññamañña | depend on each other | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anantara | being in storage until retrieval (kamma vipaka) | Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
anumōdanā | accept pattidana (transfer of merits or sharing of merits) with joy | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anupassanā | discard kileasa by contemplating with anicca, dukkha, anatta: see #6 of 4. What do all these Different Meditation Techniques Mean? | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
anusaya | defilements arising from latent cravings (asava) and kilesa | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
apacāyana | paying respects to those with higher virtues: Punna Kamma – Dāna, Sīla, Bhāvanā | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
aparāpariya vēdaniya | kamma vipaka that can materialize at any time in future | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
apāya | common term for four lowest realms | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āpō | cohesive element | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Appanā samādhi | almost at jhana: What is Samadhi? – Three Kinds of Mindfulness | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
appaṇīta | not to liking; dislikes | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
appaṭigha | cannot be grasped or touched | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
apuñña | immoral | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
apuññābhi saṅkhāra | highly immoral sankhara | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Arahant | never to be born in any of the 31 realms | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ārammaṇa | object of thought | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Ariya | Noble person (Sotapanna or above) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
arūpa | without rupa | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
asañña | without perception; without sanna | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āsava =āsaya | deep-seated craving | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āsavakkhaya ñāṇa | Knowledge of removing asava: The Way to Nibbāna – Removal of Āsavas | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āsēvana | repeated practice; associate | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
asōbhana | ugly or defiled (used mainly for cetasika) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
asura | one of the four apayas; beings there have large bodies and are inactive | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āssāda | enjoyment | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
atīta | past | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
atta | opposite of anatta or eight | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
attha | opposite of anatta; perception that one has total control | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
avici | one of the niraya (hell) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
avihiṃsā | non-aggressive | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
avinibbhōga | consituents not separable, as in a avinibbhoga rupa kalapa | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
avyāpāda = abyāpāda | not angry, kind | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āyatana | an indriya becomes as ayatana: Indriya and Āyatana – Big Difference | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
āyu | lifetime | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
avijjā | Ignorance of Tilakkhana | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bahiddhā | external | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bala | power | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bali | distort | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bīja | seed | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bhaṅga | dissolution; destruction | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bhava | realm of existence | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bhāvanā | meditation, constant contemplation & use | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bhavaṅga | life continuum | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bhaya | fear | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Bhikkhu | Buddhist monk | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
bojjhaṅga | bodhi anga or facilitating factor for Nibbana | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
brahma | a being in rupa or arupa brahma realms | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Buddha | Buddha Gotama | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cakkhu | eye or seeing | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cakkavāḷa | planetary system like our Solar system | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cetanā | intention; but deeper: What is Intention in Kamma? | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cetasika | mental factor | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
chanda | liking | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
citta | thought (pure thought) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cittānupassanā | doing anupassana via contemplating on thoughts | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
citta vīthi | citta come in packets of a discrete number; a single citta does not arise | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cutūpapāta ñāṇa | ability to see all previous births | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cuti | death | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
cuti citta | moment of death | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dāna | giving | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dasa | ten | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dasaka | decad; group of 10 | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dassana | vision; but normally used for "comprehending" | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dassanēna pahātabba | removing (kilesa) via comprehension of Dhamma | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dēsanā or desanā | verbal discourse | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dēva | a being in 6th-11th realms | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Dhamma | Buddha’s teachings, phenomenon, mental object | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dhammavicaya (sambojjhaṅga) | investigation of concepts like anicca | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dhammānudhamma patipadā | condition for attaining Sotapanna stage: Four Conditions for Attaining Sotapanna Magga/Phala | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dhammānupassanā | doing anupassana via contemplating on Dhamma | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dhātu | element | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dhyāna (same as jhāna) | meditative state with rupa loka or arupa loka consciousness | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
diṭṭhi | view, wrong view unless specified | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
diṭṭhijukamma | "diṭṭhi"+"uju"+"kamma" or getting rid of wrong views on kamma:Punna Kamma – Dāna, Sīla, Bhāvanā | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dōmanassa | mental agony, displeasure; not bodily suffering | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dōsa | hatred | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dōsakkhaya | dösa + khaya or removal of hate | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dugati | "du" + "gathi" or habits that can lead to bad rebirths | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dukha | suffering | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dukkha | suffering & it can be stopped from arising | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
dvāra | door (to the external world) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ehipassiko | a quality of Dhamma, removing defilements in real time: Supreme Qualities of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ekaggatā | one-pointedness (of the mind) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
gandha | smell, odor | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
gandabba | Gandhabbaya (Manomaya Kaya) | Error occurred when trying to fetch the file using wp_remote_get(). A valid URL was not provided. |
gati | character, habits | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
ghāna | nose or smelling | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
gotrabhu | change of lineage ("götra") when getting close to a jhana | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
hadaya vatthu | seat of mind (in the gandhabbaya) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
hētu | root cause | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
hiri | shamefulness for doing akusala kamma | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
iddhi | special powers or knowledges | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
iddhipāda | means to special (mental) accomplishment | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
indriya | one of the six sense faculties when used without lobha, dosa, moha | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
issa (irisiyā in Sinhala) | jealousy | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Itthi (sthree in Sinhala) | feminine | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
jarā | getting old or weak | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Jaratā | one of 28 rupa: Rupa (Material Form) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
jāti | birth of a living being OR birth of anything | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
javana | those citta with which sankhara committed or kamma vipaka generated: Javana of a Citta – The Root of Mental Power | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
jhāna (same as dhyāna) | meditative state with rupa loka or arupa loka consciousness | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
jivhā | tongue (more accurately jivha indriya) OR taste | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
jīvita | life: jivita indriya maintains life | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
Jīvitindriya | one of the 7 universal cetasika: Cetasika (Mental Factors) OR one of the 28 rupa: Rupa (Material Form) | Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
kabaḷīkāra | one of the 4 ahara: Āhāra (Food) in Udayavaya Ñāna | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kappa (kalpa in Sinhala) | time duration of an entity: kalpa of a human is about 100 years; maha kalpa is lifetime of the universe | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kalyāna mittā (mitrā in Sinhala) | Noble friend: Four Conditions for Attaining Sotapanna Magga/Phala | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kāmacchanda | greed for things in kamaloka | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kāma lōka | first 11 realms with five physical senses | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kāma rāga | attachment to sense pleasures in kamaloka | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kāmāvacara | belonging to kamaloka | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kāmesumicchācāra | immoral ways of enjoying sense pleasures:The Five Precepts – What the Buddha Meant by Them | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kamma | action, deed | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kammanta | actions as in samma kammanta | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kammaṭṭhāna | mediation verses or procedures | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kandha | heap, pile, or aggregate | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
karunā | compassion in the suffering of others | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kasina | meditation object in anariya jhana (eg. a colored disk) | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kāya | pertaining to the body or action | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kāyānupassanā | doing anupassana via contemplating on the bodily actions | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
khaṇika samadhi | What is Samadhi? – Three Kinds of Mindfulness | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
khaya | cutting off or gradually reduce | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
khaṇa | moment, sub-moment | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
kriyā | action, deed | An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 400 |
4. Anyone can download the audio files here: