Amida Buddha: Amida is a transcendental Buddha, as contrasted with a historical Buddha, who is the principal Buddha in the Jodo, Jodoshin and other Pure Land sects of Japan.  Those who have sincere faith in Amida and recite his name (nembutsu) are able to be born in his land after death through his compassionate power.

Bukkyōkai: Buddhist temple.

dharma: Buddhist teachings.

Fujinkai: Japanese Buddhist women's organization.

futon: Japanese style bedding which is usually folded up and put in closets during the day and laid out on the floor at night.

gagaku: Traditional Japanese court music and dance.

hazukashii: Embarrassing, shameful, disgraceful.

higashi: East.

Honganji: "Temple of the Causal Vow". The two main branches of Jōdo Shin Buddism are the Nishi (West) or Hompa Honganji and the Higashi (East) or Otani Honganji.

ikebana: Japanese style flower arranging; the art of floral arrangement.

Issei(s): First generation Japanese immigrant in America.

Jōdo Shin: The True Pure Land sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Jōdo Shinshu: True Pure Land Sect of Japanese Buddhism.

karma: The Buddhist doctrine than an action, speech or thought, according to the intention it embodies, will have consequences experienced in this or a future rebirth.

Kibei: American born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.

Namu-Amida-Butsu: "Taking refuge in Amida Buddha"; recitation of this is popularly practiced as the Nembutsu in Pure Land Buddhism.

Nikkei: People of Japanese ancestry.

Nisei(s): American born children of Japanese immigrants; second generation Japanese American.

Obon: The summer Bon festival, a Buddhist festival, which honors ancestors.

sangha: A community of practicing Buddhists.

Sansei: American born grandchildren of Japanese immigrants; third generation Japanese American.

Shin: Shortened version of Jōdo Shin, the True Land sect of Japanese Buddhism.

shinkeishitsu: A nervous condition characterized by feelings of inferiority and shyness, self-doubt and fear of authority figures.

sutra: Buddhist scripture that is often read during temple services.

taiko: Japanese drum(s).

tokudo: The ceremony marking initiation into the Buddhist priesthood.

udon: Japanese wheat noodle.