This dictionary was compiled by scholars working across the Buddhist traditions of South, Southeast, East and Central Asia specifically so that a single reference could define terms consistently across regions that are more often treated separately, which is a genuine editorial undertaking rather than a claim resting on its press. This record has not independently traced a documented history of corrections across its printings. It is a strong source for defining Buddhist terminology and identifying schools, including the named division into Theravada monastic lineages this atlas has drawn from it. It summarizes a field rather than arguing a position, so a live scholarly dispute about a specific school or text may need a more specialized study alongside it.
Facts
Citation
AuthorRobert E. Buswell Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.
PublisherPrinceton University Press
Publication Year2014
URLhttps://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691157863/the-princeton-dictionary-of-buddhism
Source Typereference
Assessment
Reliability Tier1
A single volume scholarly dictionary from a university press, written by two leading specialists in Buddhist studies, the standard current academic reference across Buddhist schools and traditions. NotesAuthoritative reference; added for Theravada nikayas, 2026-07-22.
Connections
Associated With
This source names Asia directly: "of South, Southeast, East and Central Asia specifically so that a single reference could define terms consistently across regions that are more often treated separately, which is a genuine editorial..."
Source The Princeton Dictionary of BuddhismRobert E. Buswell Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.
This source names Theravada directly: "including the named division into Theravada monastic lineages this atlas has drawn from it."
Source The Princeton Dictionary of BuddhismRobert E. Buswell Jr. and Donald S. Lopez Jr.
Claims Backed By This Source (3,858 claims)
This source backs 3,858 claims across the atlas. As facts: 2,582 well-attested, 27 scholarly debate, 1 open question. As cited relationships: 581 holds, 73 connected, 4 critiqued Here, 3 rejected Here, 24 held Differently. Plus 563 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Articles, 714 claims: 586 well-attested, 3 holds, 58 connected, 67 general references.
- Denominations, 524 claims: 285 well-attested, 3 scholarly debate, 179 holds, 7 connected, 2 critiqued Here, 3 rejected Here, 22 held Differently, 23 general references.
- Historical Figures, 375 claims: 254 well-attested, 1 scholarly debate, 1 open question, 64 holds, 1 critiqued Here, 54 general references.
- Deities, 359 claims: 277 well-attested, 2 scholarly debate, 30 holds, 50 general references.
- Figures, 332 claims: 260 well-attested, 9 scholarly debate, 31 holds, 32 general references.
- Alphabet Letters, 229 claims: 87 well-attested, 60 holds, 82 general references.
- Sacred Sites, 171 claims: 118 well-attested, 35 holds, 18 general references.
- Virtues, 119 claims: 79 well-attested, 4 scholarly debate, 16 holds, 6 connected, 14 general references.
- Doctrines, 111 claims: 41 well-attested, 1 scholarly debate, 36 holds, 1 critiqued Here, 2 held Differently, 30 general references.
- Practices, 100 claims: 79 well-attested, 10 holds, 11 general references.
- Mantras, 84 claims: 69 well-attested, 5 holds, 10 general references.
- Religious Offices, 68 claims: 43 well-attested, 1 scholarly debate, 17 holds, 7 general references.
- Rituals, 66 claims: 38 well-attested, 1 scholarly debate, 16 holds, 11 general references.
- Scriptures & Texts, 60 claims: 37 well-attested, 9 holds, 14 general references.
- Sacred Objects & Ritual Items, 59 claims: 40 well-attested, 9 holds, 10 general references.
- Religious Roles & Titles, 49 claims: 32 well-attested, 6 holds, 11 general references.
- Beliefs & Restrictions, 45 claims: 16 well-attested, 29 general references.
- Holidays & Festivals, 43 claims: 29 well-attested, 5 holds, 9 general references.
- Mudras, 42 claims: 32 well-attested, 10 general references.
- Organizations, 40 claims: 24 well-attested, 5 holds, 11 general references.
- Other Writings, 31 claims: 21 well-attested, 7 holds, 3 general references.
- Vices, 30 claims: 23 well-attested, 2 holds, 5 general references.
- Esoteric Texts, 23 claims: 12 well-attested, 2 holds, 9 general references.
- Observance Rules, 22 claims: 12 well-attested, 6 holds, 2 connected, 2 general references.
- Sacred Architecture, 18 claims: 4 well-attested, 7 holds, 7 general references.
- Sacred Art & Iconography, 18 claims: 14 well-attested, 3 holds, 1 general references.
- Subcategories, 13 claims: 10 well-attested, 3 general references.
- Pilgrimage Routes, 12 claims: 7 well-attested, 3 holds, 2 general references.
- Categories, 11 claims: 9 well-attested, 2 general references.
- Godai (Five Elements), 10 claims: 5 holds, 5 general references.
- Sources, 10 claims: 8 well-attested, 2 holds.
- Directions, 8 claims: 4 well-attested, 4 general references.
- Open Questions, 8 claims: 6 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
- Religions, 8 claims: 4 well-attested, 3 scholarly debate, 1 general references.
- Scholarly Disciplines, 8 claims: 6 well-attested, 2 general references.
- Calendars, 6 claims: 2 well-attested, 2 holds, 2 general references.
- Councils and Synods, 6 claims: 1 well-attested, 3 holds, 2 general references.
- Religious Dress & Vestments, 6 claims: 5 well-attested, 1 general references.
- Scripture Portions, 5 claims: 2 well-attested, 2 scholarly debate, 1 general references.
- Spread Events, 4 claims: 2 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
- Mythical Creatures, 3 claims: 1 well-attested, 2 general references.
- Animals & Totems, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
- Empires & Polities, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
- Prayers, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
- Religious Events, 2 claims: 1 holds, 1 general references.
Well-attested
2,582Showing 1 to 50 of 794 entities carrying this claim.
Holds
581Showing 1 to 50 of 264 entities carrying this claim.
Connected
73Showing 51 to 70 of 70 entities carrying this claim.
General References
563Showing 1 to 50 of 520 entities carrying this claim.
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