#buddhism

• Amrita — A term of Sanskrit origin (amṛta) utilized in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism to designate the divine nectar of immortality, the sacred liquor of the gods structurally obtained through the churning of the milk ocean (Samudra Manthan); it represents a conceptual equivalent of ambrosia in Greek mythology, symbolizing absolute purity, spiritual liberation (moksha), and divine bliss achieved through deep meditation.
• Anatta concepts — A philosophical and spiritual concept of oriental origin (derived from Buddhism) designating states, stages, or traits characterized by the absence of a permanent, fixed, or unchanging self (the concept of non-self or anatta). In a structural sense, the term describes the realization that all phenomena are interdependent and lack an absolute or eternal self-identity.
• Anuradhapura — An ancient city and major archaeological site in Sri Lanka, which served as the country's sacred political and spiritual capital for over a millennium; it is globally recognized as a sacred hub of Theravada Buddhism, renowned for its massive stupas (dagobas), giant ancient reservoirs, and the holy Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
• Asaṅga — The name of a renowned Indian monk, scholar, and philosopher of the 4th–5th centuries CE, considered one of the main founders of the Yogācāra (or Cittamātra / 'Mind-Only') idealistic school of Mahāyāna Buddhism; a spiritual figure historically linked to the Nalanda monastery and famous for the sacred texts he allegedly received directly in the Tuṣita heaven from the future Buddha, Maitreya.
• Ashoka — A legendary emperor of the Maurya Empire (3rd century BCE) who united almost the entire Indian subcontinent; he is renowned in world history for his profound conversion to Buddhism following the carnage of the Kalinga War, becoming a fervent promoter of non-violence, religious tolerance, and the global spread of Buddhist teachings through his edicts carved on rocks and stone pillars.
• Asvaghosa — An Indian Buddhist poet, dramatist, and philosopher of Sanskrit language from the first-second centuries AD, considered one of the great masters of classical Indian literature and a pioneer of the Mahayana philosophical school. His structural masterpiece is the epic poem Buddhacarita (The Acts of the Buddha), which unified classical artistic style (kavya) with profound spiritual teachings.
• Avalokiteshvara — The most widely revered and popular bodhisattva in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, embodying the supreme compassion and infinite mercy of all Buddhas. Literally translated from Sanskrit as 'the Lord who looks down' (upon the world's suffering), he delays his own final enlightenment until all sentient beings are saved. Depending on the culture, his gender becomes fluid or shifts, being revered as male (Padmapani) in India or female (Guanyin in China, Kannon in Japan).
• Bago — A major city and administrative region in southern Myanmar (formerly Burma), situated on the Bago River, historically known as Pegu, famous for its ancient Mon kingdom heritage and massive Buddhist pagodas.