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Introduction to Buddhism in Ten Pali words

Buddha-This refers to the historical personage or to the concept of enlightenment he represents.

Dukkha-This term suggests a basic un-satisfactoriness pervading all life forms, due to the fact that all forms of life are constantly changing. This is experienced as a sense that things never measure up to our expectations and standards.  Even happy and fortunate material circumstances are regarded as dukkha, as these only represent the other side of unhappy and unfortunate circumstances.

Dhamma-This refers to the factual experience and truth of ‘things as they are’. 
All physical, emotional and mental phenomena arise and cease.

Anicca-refers to Impermanence.  All mental, emotional and physical phenomena are in a state of unending flux, unending ‘work in progress’

Samsara-Slavery to the pleasure-pain principle.  This is the common fate and state of all persons who experience the world as dukkha.

Avijja-Personal ignorance of the laws of nature leading to life in the land of samsara and dukkha.

Nibbana-Freedom from the pleasure pain principle. The enjoyment of peace and happiness that does not depend on external circumstances. This is the goal of Buddhist life.

Magga-The path of enlightenment as taught by the Buddha.  The Buddha did not teach Buddhism.  He taught Magga and Dhamma.

Kamma-The operation of the law of cause and effect.  Simplistic notions are best avoided. Watch this fantastic YouTube talk: Kamma without Belief Ajahn Brahm.

Anatta-The teaching on ‘non self’.  This is a central concept but complex.
See Google and Wikipedia .

Pali is a derivative of the Sanskrit language in which the Buddhist scriptures were written.