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Nirvana — the ultimate goal of Buddhist endeavour — Ultimate Bliss, Eternity and True Self, release from defilements and Samsara. Pali — the ancient Indian language used to record the scriptures of the Theravāda Buddhist school. Paṭhama magga — the trailhead of the Path to Nirvana manifesting inwardly to meditators as a diamond-clear sphere, when the mind comes to a standstill. Can be equated with the first absorption [jhāna]. Paṭimokkha — the summary of the monastic Precepts and rules in the Vinaya recited twice a month in every monastery. Precepts — Buddhist rules of training governing conduct and speech. Quarter-moon days — the full-moon, half-moon and new-moon days of the lunar calendar, traditionally the days for special activities in Buddhist temples. Rains Retreat — the period of three months during the monsoon when monks traditionally limit travel outside the temple and focus instead on meditation activities. Requisites, monastic — a monk’s eight basic possessions: three robes, a belt, a bowl, a razor, a needle and a water filter. Samanera — a Buddhist novice monk, usually under the age of twenty, who holds Ten Precepts. Samatta — the initial practice of meditation that leads the mind to come to a standstill. c.f. Vipassanā Samsara — the cycle of birth, sickness, death and rebirth which ensnares those unable to renounce sensual pleasure — escapable only through meditation until the mind reaches a standstill.