Glossary

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There are currently 6 terms in this directory beginning with the letter B.
B

Balthilde
Balthilde (c.626–680), possibly from East Anglia, married Clovis II, the King of Neustria and Burgundy (639–658), and was regent during the minority of her son.

Bishop
The senior priest in charge of the work of the Christian church across a set area, a diocese [q.v.].

Bodhisattva
A Buddhist who delays entry into nirvāṇa to stay in world of suffering to help other sentient beings.

Bracteate
A decorated gold disk worn as a pendant, interpreted as sun disks by some.

Buddha
In Buddhism, there are numerous buddhas—beings who have attained enlightenment—but the term often refers to the historical buddha, Śākyamuni [q.v.] or Siddhartha Gautama who originally established the teachings of Buddhism [q.v.].

Buddhism
The world's fourth-largest religion with over 520 million followers. It originated in northern India c. 2500 years ago and follows the teachings of the Buddha [q.v.].