| |
| 25 attributes of fruition ('bras
chos nyer lnga). The five kayas, fivefold speech, five wisdoms,
five qualities, and five activities. Also called the 'continuity
adorned with inexhaustible body, speech, mind, qualities, and activities.' |
| A |
| Abhidharma (chos mngon pa). One of the three
parts of the Tripitaka, the Words of the Buddha. Systematic teachings
on metaphysics focusing on the training of discriminating knowledge
by analyzing elements of experience and investigating the nature
of existing things. The chief commentaries on Abhidharma are the
Abhidharma Kosha by Dignaga from the Hinayana perspective and the
Abhidharma Samucchaya by Asanga from the Mahayana point of view. |
| Abhidharma Pitaka (chos
mngon pa'i sde snod). The 'Collection of Abhidharma Teachings.'
Teachings compiled from the sutras that analyze the nature of what
is; one of the the collections of the Tripitaka.
See under 'Tripitaka.' |
| Abhisambodhikaya (mngon
par byang chub pa'i sku). The fifth of the five kayas of
buddhahood, defined by Jamgon Kongtrul in his Treasury of Knowledge
as 'manifold manifestation in accordance with the karma of those
to be influenced, without departing from dharmakaya, that (appears)
because the (other four kayas are) spontaneously complete within
awareness wisdom.' |
| Acceptance of the nature of nonarising (skye
ba med pa'i chos la bzod pa). An important realization gained on
entry to the eighth bodhisattva stage. In this book a synonym for
complete enlightenment. |
| Accomplishment. 1) (dngos
grub, Skt. siddhi). The attainment resulting from Dharma practice usually referring
to the 'supreme accomplishment' of complete enlightenment. It can
also mean the 'common accomplishments,' eight mundane accomplishments
such as clairvoyance, clairaudiance, flying in the sky, becoming
invisible, everlasting youth, or powers of transmutation. The most
eminent attainments on the path are, however, renunciation, compassion,
unshakable faith and realization of the correct view. See also 'supreme
and common accomplishments.' 2) (sgrub pa). See 'four aspects of
approach and accomplishment' and 'approach and accomplishment.' |
| Accumulation (tshogs).
Provisions for the path. See 'two accumulations.' |
| Action without intermediate (mtshams med pa'i
las). Five actions with the most severe karmic effect: killing one's
mother, one's father, or an arhant; causing schism in the sangha
of monks; and drawing blood from a tathagata with evil intent. These
actions can also be called 'immediates' because their karmic effect
will ripen immediately after death without leaving time to go through
a bardo state. |
| Activities (las, phrin las). Usually referring
to the four activities of pacifying, increasing, magnetizing and
subjugating. |
| Activity Garland Tantra (karma ma le 'phrin
las kyi rgyud). A Mahayoga scripture listed here as one of the Six
Secret Sections. Sometimes also mentioned as one of the Eighteen
Mahayoga Tantras as the tantra of enlightened activity. Texts with
this name are found both in Vol. TSA and SHA of the Nyingma
Gyubum. |
| Aeon (bskal pa, Skt. kalpa). World-age, period,
cosmic cycle. |
| Age of Strife (rtsod dus). The present world-age
dominated by decline and degeneration. |
| Akanishtha ('og
min). The 'highest;' the realm of Vajradhara, the enlightened
sphere the dharmakaya buddha. Often used as a synonym for 'dharmadhatu.' |
| All-ground (kun
gzhi, alaya). Literally, the 'foundation of all things.'
The basis of mind and both pure and impure phenomena. This word
has different meanings in different contexts and should be understood
accordingly. Sometimes it is synonymous with buddha nature or dharmakaya,
the recognition of which is the basis for all pure phenomena; other
times, as in the case of the 'ignorant all-ground,' it refers to
a neutral state of dualistic mind that has not been embraced by
innate wakefulness and thus is the basis for samsaric experience. |
| Amitabha (snang ba mtha' yas). The chief buddha
of the lotus family and lord of the pure land Sukhavati. He is also
the manifestation of discriminating wisdom. |
| Amitayus (tshe dpag med). See Buddha Amitayus. |
| Amogha Pasha (don yod zhags pa). A tantra
belonging to Kriya Yoga also known as Meaningful Lasso Tantra. |
| Amrita (bdud rtsi).
Same as 'Nectar Quality,' the heruka of the ratna family among the
Eight Sadhana Teachings and the tantric
teachings connected with that deity. |
| Amrita and rakta (sman
rak). Two types of blessed substance used on the shrine in
Vajrayana rituals. |
| Ananda (kun dga'
bo). One of the ten close disciples of the Buddha; the Buddha's
personal attendant, who recited the sutras at the First Council
and served as the second patriarch in the oral transmission of the
Dharma. |
| Anu Yoga - (rjes su rnal 'byor).
The second of the Three Inner Tantras, Maha, Anu and Ati. |
| Aperture of Brahma (tshangs
bug). The opening at the top of the head, eight fingers above
the hairline. |
| Appearance and existence (snang srid). The
world and the sentient beings; whatever can be experienced, the
five elements, and has the possibility of existence, the five aggregates. |
| Approach and accomplishment (bsnyen
sgrub). Two aspects of sadhana practice, in particular, phases
in the recitation stage according to Mahayoga Tantra. See 'Four
aspects of approach and accomplishment.' |
| Arhant (dgra bcom pa). 'Foe destroyer;' someone
who has conquered the four maras and attained nirvana, the fourth
and final result of the Hinayana path. |
| Arhat - One who attains
realization by eliminating the veil of emotional obscurations. |
| Arura (Skt.). Medicinal plant endowed with
many wonderful qualities. |
| Aryadeva - Disciple of Nagarjuna; author of many famous commentaries. |
| Asanga - With Nagarjuna,
one of the founders of the Mahayana sastra tradition; a direct student
of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. |
| Assemblage of Secrets (gsang ba 'dus pa).
A Mahayoga scripture. Vol. TSA of the Nyingma
Gyubum. Sometimes counted among the Eighteen Mahayoga Tantras
as the tantra of enlightened mind. |
| Assemblage of Sugatas
(bde gshegs 'dus pa). 'Deshek Dupa.' Important cycle of teachings
connected to the Sadhana Section of Mahayoga. |
| Asura Cave (a su
ra'i brag phug). The cave where Guru Rinpoche subdued the
evil forces of Nepal through the practice of Vajra Kilaya. Situated
near Pharping in the Kathmandu Valley. |
| Ati Yoga (shin
tu rnal 'byor). The highest teachings in the Nyingma tradition known in Tibetan
as Dzogchen. The third of the Three Inner Tantras. See also
Great Perfection and Dzogchen. |
| Atisha - Eleventh century
Indian pandita from Vikramasila who spent the last twelve years
of his life in Tibet; also known as Dipamkarasrijnana |
| Atisha Dipamkara (Skt.). Eleventh century
Indian pandita from Vikramashila who spent the last twelve years
of his life in Tibet. Founding forefather of the Kadampa School
of Tibetan Buddhism; also known as Dipamkara Shrijnana and Jowo
Jey (jo bo rje). |
| Atsara Yeshe (a tsar ye shes). Same as Atsara
Yeshe Yang of Ba. See under Yeshe Yang. |
| Atsara Yeshe Yang of Ba (sba a tsar ye shes
dbyangs). Early Tibetan translator. Atsara is a corrupt form of
the Sanskrit word 'acharya.' See under Yeshe Yang. |
| Avalokiteshvara (spyan ras gzigs) The bodhisattva
of compassion; an emanation of Buddha Amitabha. |
| Avatamsaka Sutra (mdo phal po che). A sutra
belonging to the third turning of the Wheel of Dharma. Published
as Flower Adornment Sutra, Shambhala Publications. |
| Awakened mind (byang
chub kyi sems, bodhichitta). See under 'bodhichitta.' |
| Awareness (rig pa). When referring to the
view of the Great Perfection 'awareness' means consciousness devoid
of ignorance and dualistic fixation. |
|
| B |
| Barchey
Kunsel (bar chad kun sel).
See under 'Tukdrub
Barchey Kunsel.' |
| Bardo (bar do, antarabhava).
'Intermediate state.' Usually refers to the period between death
and the next rebirth. For details of the four bardos, see Mirror
of Mindfulness and Bardo
Guidebook. |
| Bashey (sba bzhad). Chronicles containing
histories of the reigns of Trisong Deutsen and Muney Tsenpo. |
| Bhikshu (dge slong).
A practitioner who has renounced worldly life and taken the pledge
to observe the 253 precepts of a fully ordained monk in order to
attain liberation from samsara. |
| Bhikshu Purna (dge slong purna). The previous
life of the Tibetan translator Vairotsana. |
| Bhumi (sa).
The bodhisattva levels; the ten stages a bodhisattva proceeds through
on the quest for complete and perfect enlightenment. These ten stages
correspond to the last three of the five paths of Mahayana. See
also 'ten bhumis.' |
| Black Powerful One (stobs ldan nag po). The
chief figure in the mandala of Maledictory Fierce Mantra among the
Eight Sadhana Teachings. |
| Bliss, clarity, and nonthought (bde gsal mi rtog pa). Three temporary meditation
experiences. Fixation on them plants the seeds for rebirth in the
three realms of samsara. Without fixation, they are adornments of
the three kayas. |
| Blissful Realm (bde
ba can, Sukhavati). The pure land of Buddha Amitabha in which
a practitioner can take rebirth during the bardo of becoming through
a combination of pure faith, sufficient merit, and one-pointed determination. |
| Bodhgaya - Location of Vajrasana, the place under the bodhi tree where
the Buddha attained enlightenment |
| Bodhi (byang chub). Enlightenment, awakening,
state of realization. See also 'enlightenment.' |
| Bodhichitta (byang sems, byang chub kyi sems).
'Awakened state of mind.' 1) The aspiration to attain enlightenment
for the sake of all beings. 2) In the context of Dzogchen, the innate
wakefulness of awakened mind; synonymous with rigpa, awareness. |
| Bodhichitta (byang
sems, byang chub kyi sems). 'Awakened state of mind,' 'enlightened
attitude.' 1) The aspiration to attain enlightenment for the sake
of all beings. 2) In the context of Dzogchen, the innate wakefulness
of awakened mind; synonymous with nondual awareness. |
| Bodhisattva (byang
chub sems dpa'). Someone who has developed bodhichitta, the
aspiration to attain enlightenment in order to benefit all sentient
beings. A practitioner of the Mahayana path; especially a noble
bodhisattva who has attained the first level. |
| Bodhisattva
precepts (byang sdom).
|
| Bon - Religion of Tibet
before the introduction of the Dharma |
| Bonpo (bon po). The religion prevalent in
Tibet before the establishment of Buddhism in the 9th Century. |
| Border Temples (mtha' 'dul). 'Border Subduers.'
Four temples built by Songtsen
Gampo and his Chinese queen to subjugate evil forces in the
outlying districts of Tibet. |
| Boundless Life (tshe dpag med pa, Skt. Amitayus).
1) Buddha Amitayus. 2) A Mahayana sutra. |
| Brahma (tshangs pa). The ruler of the gods
of the Realm of Form. |
| Brahma-like voice (tshangs pa'i dbyangs).
The voice endowed with the sixteen perfect qualities of Brahma,
the king of the gods. A common description of a buddha's speech. |
| Brahman (bram ze, Skt. brahmana). Member of
the priestly caste. |
| Buddha (sangs rgyas). The Enlightened or Awakened
One who has completely abandoned all obscurations and perfected
every good quality. A perfected bodhisattva, after attaining true
and complete enlightenment is known as a buddha. The Buddha generally
referred to is Shakyamuni Buddha, the buddha of this era, who lived
in India around the 6th century B.C. There have been innumerable
buddhas in past aeons who manifested the way to enlightenment. In
the current Good Aeon, there will be one thousand buddhas of which
Buddha Shakyamuni is the fourth. |
| Buddha Amitayus (tshe dpag med) Lit. 'Buddha
of Boundless Life; the Sambhogakaya aspect of Amitabha. The buddha
associated with the 'empowerment of longevity' and longevity practice. |
| Buddha Avatamsaka (sangs rgyas phal po che).
1) A Mahayana sutra. 2) The buddha after whom the Avatamsaka Sutra
is named. |
| Buddha Unchanging Light (sangs rgyas 'od mi
'gyur ba). The primordial buddha Samantabhadra; a synonym for the
enlightened state of dharmakaya. |
| Buddhadharma (sangs rgyas kyi bstan pa, bstan
pa, chos). Buddhism, the teachings of the Buddha. |
| Buddhaguhya (sangs
rgyas gsang ba). A seventh century Indian master who visited Tibet and remained
at Mount Kailash where he taught emissaries of King Trisong Deutsen
the Guhyagarbha Tantra. |
| Buddhahood (sangs
rgyas). The perfect and complete enlightenment dwelling in
neither samsara nor nirvana; the state of having eradicated all
obscurations, endowed with the wisdom of seeing the nature of things
as it is and with the wisdom of perceiving all that exists. |
| Burnt offerings (gsur).
Smoke produced by burning flour mixed with pure food and sacred
substances. This smoke, offered during a meditation on Avalokiteshvara,
the bodhisattva of compassion, can nourish the bardo consciousness
as well as hungry ghosts. |
|
| C |
| Causal
and resultant vehicles (rgyu dang 'bras bu'i theg pa). |
| Causal
philosophical teachings (rgyu mtshan nyid kyi chos). |
| Causal vehicles (rgyu'i theg pa). See Causal
philosophical teachings. |
| Cave of Yanglesho (yang le shod kyi brag phug).
Situated in the southern end of the Kathmandu Valley, near the village
of Pharping. The 'Upper Cave of Yanglesho' is also known as Asura
Cave. |
| Central channel (dbu
ma, avadhuti). The central subtle channel within the body,
running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. |
| Chamara (rnga g.yab). One of the eight sub-continents
surrounding Mount Sumeru as well as the support for the terrestrial
pure land of Guru Rinpoche known as the Glorious Copper Colored
Mountain. |
| Chandrakirti - Leading Prasangika Madhyamika master. |
| Channel (rtsa).
See 'nadi.' |
| Charnel ground (dur khrod). A site where bodies
are left to decompose or eaten by wild animals. Frequented by ghosts
and spirits, it is a suitable place for advanced practitioners to
gain progress in their realization. |
| Chemchok Heruka (che mchog he ru ka). See
Most Supreme. |
| Chetsun
Nyingtig (lce btsun snying tig).
|
| Chimphu (chims phu). The hermitage of caves
above Samye in Central Tibet. Guru Rinpoche spent several years
there in retreat. |
| Chinese teacher Hashang. (rgya nag gi ston
pa hva zhang). A certain Chinese meditation teacher, Hashang Mahayana,
whose view point was refuted by Kamalashila in a public debate during
the early spread of the teachings. |
| Chiti Yoga (spyi ti'i rnal 'byor). One of
the subdivisions of the Instruction Section of Dzogchen: Ati, Chiti
and Yangti. Chiti is defined as covering the general points of Dzogchen. |
| Chittamatra - Mind Only. One of the four major schools of Buddhist philosophy,
characterized by emphasis on mental events. |
| Cho (gcod).
Literally 'cutting.' A system of practices based on Prajnaparamita
and set down by the Indian siddha Phadampa Sangye and the Tibetan
female teacher Machig Labdron for the purpose of cutting through
the four Maras and ego-clinging. One of the Eight Practice Lineages
of Buddhism in Tibet. |
| Chokgyur
Lingpa (mchog gyur gling pa). (1829-1870). A treasure revealer and contemporary of Jamyang
Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgon Kongtrul. Regarded as one of the major
tertons in Tibetan history, his termas are widely practiced by both
the Kagyu and Nyingma schools. For more details see The Life
and Teachings of Chokgyur Lingpa (Rangjung Yeshe Publications).
Chokgyur Lingpa means 'Sanctuary of Eminence.' |
| Chokro Lui Gyaltsen (cog ro klu'i rgyal mtshan).
Early Tibetan translator of great importance and one of the twenty-five
disciples of Padmasambhava who recognized him as an incarnate
bodhisattva. He worked closely with Vimalamitra,
Jnanagarbha, Jinamitra and Surendrabohi. He is vital to the continuation
of the Vinaya lineage in Tibet. Having attained realization at Chuwori,
he aided Padmasambhava in transcribing and concealing terma treasures.
The great terton Karma Lingpa (14th cent.) is regarded as an reincarnation
of Chokro Lui Gyaltsen. |
| Clarity (gsal ba).
See 'bliss, clarity and nonthought.' |
| Coemergent ignorance (lhan
cig skyes pa'i ma rig pa). Ignorance that is coemergent with
our innate nature and remains present as the potential for confusion
to arise when meeting with the right conditions. |
| Cognitive obscuration (shes
bya'i sgrib pa). The subtle obscuration of holding on to
the concepts of subject, object and action. It is temporarily purified
in the moment of recognizing the nature of mind, and utterly purified
through the vajra-like samadhi at the end of the tenth bhumi. |
| Completion stage (rdzogs
rim). See 'development and completion.' |
| Conceptual ignorance (kun
brtags kyi ma rig pa). In Vajrayana, conceptual ignorance is the mind apprehending
itself as subject and object; conceptual thinking. In the Sutra
system, conceptual ignorance means superimposed or 'learned' wrong
views; gross general beliefs that obscure the nature of things. |
| Conditioned virtue (zag
bcas kyi dge ba). Spiritual practice in which a dualistic
point of reference is used. Includes the preliminaries, seven
branches and so forth. Unconditioned virtue is the recognition of
buddha nature, often called 'threefold purity.' These two aspects
of virtue gather the two accumulations, remove the two
obscurations, manifest the twofold knowledge, and actualize
the two kayas. |
| Constructs (spros
pa). Any mental formulation. A conceptual fabrication that
is not innate to the nature of mind. |
| Crystal Cave of Drag Yangdzong (sgrag yang
rdzong shel gyi brag phug). The retreat place of Padmasambhava's
body. Situated between Lhasa and Samye in central Tibet. |
| Crystal Cave of Yarlung (g.yar klung shel
gyi brag phug). One of the five major retreat places of Guru Rinpoche;
the place of enlightened qualities. It is also the site where one
of his chief disciples, Kharchen Yeshe Shonnu, attained realization
of Nectar Quality. Situated one day's walk above Tramdruk in the
Yarlung valley, central Tibet. |
|
| D |
| Daka (dpa' bo). 1) Emanation of the chief
figure in the mandala to fulfill the four activities; male counterpart
of dakinis. 2) Male enlightened practitioner of Vajrayana. |
| Dakini (mkha' 'gro
ma). 1) Spiritual beings who fulfill the enlightened activities;
female tantric deities who protect and serve the Buddhist doctrine
and practitioners. Also one of the 'Three Roots.' 2) Female enlightened
practitioner of Vajrayana. |
| Dakini Lekyi Wangmo (mkha'
'gro las kyi dbang mo). Received the Vajrayana teachings
from Vajrasattva and transmitted them to Hungchenkara, one of the
eight vidyadharas of India. She also
entrusted to Guru Padmasambhava the transmission of the Eight
Commands, the Union of the Sugatas (bka'
brgyad bde gshegs 'dus pa). |
Dakini Teachings:
Padmasambhava's Oral Instructions to Lady Tsogyal. A collection
of the great master's advice from the revelations of Nyang
Ral, Sangye Lingpa
and Dorje Lingpa. Covers
the topics of taking refuge, bodhisattva vows, the vajra master, yidam
practice, retreat, and the qualities of fruition. |
| Damaru (da ma ru). A small hand drum for tantric
rituals. |
| Dark age (snyigs ma'i dus). The present age
when the five degenerations of life span, era, beings, views and
disturbing emotions are rampant. |
| Dathim (brda' thim).
Literally 'sign dissolved,' this word often occurs at the end of
a terma. |
| Demigod (lha ma yin). One of the six classes
of beings. |
| Denma Tsemang (ldan
ma rtse mang). Important early Tibetan translator of the Tripitaka. Extremely
well-versed in writing, his style of calligraphy has continued to
the present day. Having received Vajrayana transmission from Padmasambhava,
he had realization and achieved perfect recall. He is said to be
the chief scribe who wrote down many termas, including the Assemblage
of Sugatas, connected to the Eight
Sadhana Teachings. |
| Dependent origination (rten
cing 'brel bar 'byung ba). The natural law that all phenomena
arise 'dependent upon' their own causes 'in connection with' their
individual conditions. The fact that no phenomena appear without
a cause and none are made by an uncaused creator. Everything arises
exclusively due to and dependent upon the coincidence of causes
and conditions without which they cannot possibly appear. |
| Deva (lha). 'Gods.' The highest of the six
classes of samsaric beings. Temporarily, they enjoy a heavenly state
of existence. |
| Development and completion (bskyed
rdzogs). The two main aspects, 'means and knowledge,' of
Vajrayana practice. Briefly stated, development stage means positive
mental fabrication while completion stage means resting in the unfabricated
nature of mind. The essence of the development stage is 'pure perception'
or 'sacred outlook,' which means to perceive sights, sounds and
thoughts as deity, mantra and wisdom. 'Completion stage with marks'
means yogic practices such as tummo, inner heat. 'Completion
stage without marks' is the practice of Dzogchen and Mahamudra.
See individually. |
| Development stage (bskyed rim, utpattikrama).
One of the two aspects of Vajrayana practice. The mental creation
of pure images in order to purify habitual tendencies. The essence
of the development stage is 'pure perception' or 'sacred outlook'
which means to perceive sights, sounds and thoughts as deity, mantra
and wisdom. |
| Dhana Sanskrita (nor gyi legs sbyar). One
of the Eight Vidyadharas, the receiver
of the transmissions of Liberating Sorcery of Mother Deities, Mamo
Botong. Not much is available about his life besides him being born
in the Thogar area of Uddiyana. |
| Dharma protector (chos
skyong). Nonhumans who vow to protect and guard the teachings
of the Buddha and its followers. Dharma protectors can be either
'mundane' (virtuous samsaric beings) or 'wisdom Dharma protectors'
(emanations of buddhas or bodhisattvas). |
| Dharmadhatu (chos
kyi dbyings). The 'realm of phenomena;' the suchness in which
emptiness and dependent origination are inseparable. The nature
of mind and phenomena which lies beyond arising, dwelling and ceasing. |
| Dharmadhatu Palace of Akanishtha ('og min
chos kyi dbyings kyi pho brang). Figurative expression for the abode
of Vajradhara or Samantabhadra, the dharmakaya buddha. Akanishtha
means 'highest' or 'unsurpassed.' |
| Dharmakaya (chos
sku). The first of the three kayas, which is devoid of constructs,
like space. The 'body' of enlightened qualities. Should be understood
individually according to ground, path and fruition. |
| Dharmaraja, the Lord of Death (gshin rje chos rgyal). Our mortality; a personification
of impermanence and the unfailing law of cause and effect. |
| Dharmata (chos nyid).
The innate nature of phenomena and mind. |
| Dharmic (chos kyi). Of or pertaining to the
Dharma; religious or pious. |
| Dhyana (bsam gtan).
The state of concentrated mind and also the name for god realms
produced through such mental concentration. See also under 'four
dhyana states.' |
| Dilgo Khyentse (ldil mgo mkhyen brtse). See
His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. |
| Disturbing emotions (nyon
mongs pa). The five poisons of desire, anger, delusion, pride,
and envy which tire, disturb, and torment one's mind. The perpetuation
of these disturbing emotions is one of the main causes of samsaric
existence. |
| Divine Valley Water (gshong pa'i lha chu).
'Shongpey Lhachu.' Even today a place with clear and sweet water,
situated near Lhasa in Central Tibet. |
| Don (gdon).
A negative force; a type of evil spirit. |
| Dorje Drakpo Tsal (rdo rje drag po rtsal).
'Powerful Vajra Wrath.' A wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche. |
| Dorje Drollo (rdo rje drod lo). A wrathful
form of Padmasambhava; especially for subduing evil forces and concealing
termas for the welfare of future generations. |
| Dorje Dudjom of Nanam (sna
nam pa rdo rje bdud 'joms). One of king Trisong Deutsen's
ministers, sent to Nepal to invite Padmasambhava to Tibet. A mantrika
who had reached perfection in the two stages of development and
completion, he could fly with the speed of the wind and traverse
solid matter. Rigdzin Godem (1337-1408) and Pema Trinley (1641-1718),
the great vidyadhara of Dorje Drak monastery in central Tibet, are
both considered reincarnations of Dorje Dudjom. Dorje Dudjom means
'Indestructible Subduer of Mara.' |
| Dosher Trelchung (mdo gzher sprel chung).
A minister of King Trisong Deutsen; also spelled Dershey Trelchung
(sder bzhed sprel chung). |
| Drenpa Namkha (dran
pa nam mkha'). Tibetan translator and disciple of Padmasambhava,
originally an influential Bonpo priest. Later he studied with Padmasambhava
and also learned translation. He is said to have tamed a wild yak
simply by a threatening gesture. He offered numerous Bonpo teachings
to Padmasambhava who then concealed them as terma treasures. Drenpa
Namkha means 'Space of Mindfulness.' |
| Drenpa Namkha (dran pa nam mkha'). Tibetan
translator and disciple of Padmasambhava. At first he was an influential
Bonpo priest, but later he studied with Padmasambhava and also learned
translation. Due to his miraculous power, he is said to have tamed
a wild yak simply by a threatening gesture. He offered numerous
Bonpo teachings to Padmasambhava who then concealed them as a terma
treasure. |
| Drey (bre). Tibetan volume measure equivalent
of about one liter or two pints. One drey of gold would weigh about
13 kilos. |
| Drib (grib).
Defilement, obscuration caused by contact with impure people or
their things. |
| Drubchen ceremony (sgrub
chen). Great accomplishment practice; a sadhana practice
undertaken by a group of people which goes on uninterruptedly for
seven days. |
| Dzogchen (rdzogs
pa chen po, Skt. mahasandhi). Also known as Great Perfection and
Ati Yoga. The highest teachings
of the Nyingma School of the Early Translations. |
| Dzongsar
Khyentse Chokyi Lodro (rdzong gsar mkhyen brtse chos kyi blo gros). One
of five reincarnations of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo. He was a great
master upholding the Rimey (nonsectarian) tradition, as well as
being one of the two main root gurus of His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse.
His three reincarnations live presently at Bir, Himachal Pradesh;
in Dordogne, France; and in Boudhanath, Nepal. Dzongsar means 'New
Castle,' Khyentse means 'Loving Wisdom,' and Chokyi Lodro means
'Intellect of the Dharma.' |
|
| E |
| Early and Later Translation of the Great Perfection
(rdzogs pa chen po snga 'gyur phyi 'gyur). This phrase refers
to the Eighteen Major Scriptures of the Mind Section, a set of Dzogchen
tantras taught by Shri Singha
to Vairotsana and Lekdrub
of Tsang, as listed in chapter Fourteen. Five of them were translated
by Vairotsana before his
exile to Tsawarong while the remaining thirteen were later translated
by Vimalamitra and Yudra
Nyingpo, hence the name. |
| Early Translations (snga
'gyur). A synonym for the Old School, the Nyingma tradition.
The teachings translated before the great translator Rinchen Sangpo,
during the reigns of the Tibetan kings Trisong Deutsen and Ralpachen. |
| Earth terma (sa
gter). A revelation based on physical substance, often in
the form of dakini script, a vajra, a statue, etc. Compare with
'mind terma.' |
| Eight charnel grounds (dur khrod brgyad):
1) Cool Grove, Sitavana (bsil ba tshal), in the east. 2) Perfected
in Body (sku la rdzogs) to the south. 3) Lotus Mound (pad ma brtsegs)
to the west. 4) Lanka Mound (lan ka brtsegs) to the north. 5) Spontaneously
Accomplished Mound (lhun grub brtsegs) to the south-east. 6) Display
of Great Secret (gsang chen rol pa) to the south-west. 7) Pervasive
Great Joy (he chen brdal ba) to the north-west. 8) World Mound ('jig
rten brtsegs) to the north-east. There are also numerous other lists
of charnel grounds. |
| Eight classes of gods and demons (lha srin
sde brgyad). There are various descriptions but in the sutras the
most general is: devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas,
kinnaras, and mahoragas. All of them were able to receive and practice
the teachings of the Buddha. These eight classes can also refer
to various types of mundane spirits who can cause either help or
harm, but remain invisible to normal human beings: ging, mara, tsen,
yaksha, raksha, mamo, rahula, and naga. On a subtle level, they
are regarded as the impure manifestation of the eight types of consciousness. |
| Eight collections of consciousnesses (rnam shes tshogs brgyad): the all-ground consciousness,
the defiled mental consciousness, the mental cognition, and the
cognitions of eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body. |
| Eight disciples (rje 'bangs brgyad). The eight
chief recipients in Tibet of the Eight
Sadhana Teachings transmitted by Guru Rinpoche: King Trisong
Deutsen, Namkhai
Nyingpo, Sangye Yeshe, Gyalwa Cho-yang, Yeshe Tsogyal, Palgyi
Yeshe, Palgyi Senge, and Vairotsana. |
| Eight Lingpas (gling
pa brgyad). Sangye, Dorje, Rinchen, Padma, Ratna, Kunkyong,
Do-ngag and Tennyi Lingpa. |
| Eight Sadhana Teachings
(sgrub pa bka' brgyad). Eight chief
yidam deities of Mahayoga and their corresponding tantras and sadhanas:
Manjushri Body, Lotus Speech, Vishuddha Mind, Nectar Quality, Kilaya
Activity, Liberating Sorcery of Mother Deities, Maledictory Fierce
Mantra, and Mundane Worship. Often the name refers to a single practice
involving complex mandalas with numerous deities. See also under
Assemblage of Sugatas and Sadhana Section. |
| Eight Vidyadharas
(rig 'dzin brgyad). Manjushrimitra,
Nagarjuna, Hungkara, Vimalamitra,
Prabhahasti, Dhana Sanskrita,
Shintam Garbha, and Guhyachandra. |
| Eight worldly concerns ('jig
rten chos brgyad). Attachment to gain, pleasure, praise and
fame, and aversion to loss, pain, blame and bad reputation. |
| Eighteen Inner Tantras of Secret Mantra (gsang
sngags nang gi rgyud sde bco brgyad). In the context of Chapter
12, the term refers chiefly to the tantras of Mahayoga. They were
translated into Tibetan by Padmasambhava and Chokro Lui Gyaltsen.
See also Eighteen Mahayoga Tantras. |
| Eighteen Mahayoga
Tantras (ma ha yo ga'i rgyud sde bco brgyad). |
| Eighteen Major Scriptures (lung chen po bco
brgyad). Eighteen Dzogchen tantras of the Mind Section taught by
Shri Singha to Vairotsana
and Lekdrub. Listed in chapter 14. Found in Vol. KA of the Nyingma
Gyubum. |
| Eighteen Marvels of Mind in Fifty Chapters (sems
rmad du byung ba bco brgyad kyi le'u lnga bcu). Several tantras
in the first three volumes of the Nyingma
Gyubum bear a resembling name although none of them have 50
chapters. A writing mistake seems to have appeared since The Bright
Crystal Mirror by Yeshe Tsogyal says instead: “Five first
parts of the Eighteen Marvels of Mind” (sems smad bco brgyad
kyi stod kyi lnga), referring to the first five tantras translated
by Vairotsana. |
| Eightfold Magical Net (sgyu 'phrul brgyad
pa). A Mahayoga scripture in eight chapters. Vol. PHA of the Nyingma
Gyubum. |
| Eightfold Volume (bam po brgyad pa). Tantra
belonging to the Sadhana Section of Mahayoga; focused on Nectar
Quality. Tantra with similar title is found in Vol. LA of the Nyingma
Gyubum. Possibly identical with the Scripture in Eight Chapters. |
| Emaho (e ma ho). An exclamation of wonder
and amazement. |
| Embodiment of Realization (dgongs 'dus). An
Anu Yoga scripture of major importance. Abbreviation of The Scripture
of the Embodiment of the Realization of All Buddhas (sangs rgyas
thams cad kyi dgongs pa 'dus pa'i mdo). |
| Empowerment (dbang). The conferring of power
or authorization to practice the Vajrayana teachings, the indispensable
entrance door to tantric practice. Empowerment gives control over
one's innate vajra body, vajra speech and vajra mind and the authority
to regard forms as deity, sounds as mantra and thoughts as wisdom.
See also 'four empowerments.' |
| Empowerment of Direct Anointment (rgyal thabs
spyi blugs kyi dbang). The act of bestowing the four empowerments
condensed into one, transferring the totality of blessings, just
as a king would empower the crown prince to wield total authority. |
| Empowerment of the Expression of Awareness (rig
pa'i rtsal gyi dbang). The empowerment for practicing Dzogchen.
Sometimes it also refers to stage of realization achieved through
Dzogchen practice. |
| Empty and luminous dharmata (chos nyid stong
gsal). A synonym for buddha nature, the enlightened essence within
all beings. |
| Enhancement (bogs
'don). Various practices with the purpose of stabilizing
insight. According to Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the main enhancement
practice is the cultivation of devotion and compassion. |
| Epagsha of Drugu (gru gu e pag sha). One of
the first Tibetans to take ordination; received transmission from
Hungkara in India together
with Namkhai Nyingpo. |
| Equal taste (ro mnyam). A high level of realization;
perceiving the empty nature of all things. |
| Essence kaya (ngo
bo nyid kyi sku; Skt. svabhavikakaya). The 'essence body,'
sometimes counted as the fourth kaya, and constituting the unity
of the three kayas. Jamgon Kongtrul defines it as the aspect of
dharmakaya which is 'the nature of all phenomena, emptiness devoid
of all constructs and endowed with the characteristic of natural
purity.' |
| Essence mantra (snying
po'i sngags). The short form of the mantra of a yidam deity
as opposed to the longer dharani mantra; for example 'om mani padme
hung.' |
| Essence of Secrets (gsang
ba'i snying po, Guhyagarbha). The
widely renowned tantra of the Early Translations which, according
to Jamgon Kongtrul, is the chief of the Eighteen Mahayoga Tantras,
exalted above them all like the banner of victory. The first text
in Vol. PHA of the Nyingma Gyubum.
A great number of commentaries on this tantra is found in the Nyingma
Kama collection. |
| Essence, nature, and capacity (ngo bo rang bzhin thugs rje). The three aspects
of the sugata-garbha according to the Dzogchen system. Essence is
the primordially pure wisdom of emptiness. The nature is the spontaneously
present wisdom of cognizance. The capacity is the all-pervasive
wisdom of indivisibility. This is, ultimately, the identity of the
Three Roots, the Three Jewels and the three kayas. |
| Essence-extract (bcud len, Skt. rasayana).
A practice which sustains the living body with the essences of medicinal
plants, minerals, and elemental energy in order to purify the body,
heighten concentration and avoid the diversions of seeking ordinary
material food. |
| Eternalism (rtag
lta). The belief that there is a permanent and causeless
creator of everything; in particular, that one's identity or consciousness
has a concrete essence which is independent, everlasting and singular. |
| Ever-Excellent Lady (kun tu bzang mo, Skt.
Samantabhadri). 'The All-good,' the mother of all the buddhas of
the three times; the female counterpart of the dharmakaya buddha
Samantabhadra. She symbolizes emptiness and dharmadhatu. |
| Expedient and definitive meaning (drang don
dang nges don). The expedient meaning refers to conventional teachings
on karma, path and result designed to lead the practitioner to the
'definitive meaning,' the insight into emptiness, suchness, and
buddha nature. |
| Eye of Dharma (chos kyi mig). The faculty
that sees reality without obscurations. |
|
| F |
| Father Tantra (pha
rgyud). One of the three aspects of Anuttara Yoga which place
emphasis on the development stage. |
| Feast offering (tshogs
kyi 'khor lo, Skt. ganachakra). A feast assembly performed
by Vajrayana practitioners to accumulate merit and purify the sacred
commitments. |
| Fierce mantras (drag sngags). A certain type
of mantras belonging to wrathful deities. They are used to dispel
demonic forces that obstruct the continuation of the Buddhadharma
or the welfare of sentient beings. |
| Fifty-eight herukas (khrag 'thung lnga bcu
nga brgyad). The five male and female herukas, eight yoginis, eight
tramen goddesses, four female gatekeepers, and twenty-eight shvaris. |
| Final Subsequent Mantra Tantra (phyi ma'i
phyi ma sngags kyi rgyud). Tantra belonging to the Sadhana Section
of Mahayoga. Vol. OM of the Nyingma
Gyubum. |
| Five Early and Thirteen Later Translations of
the Great Perfection (rdzogs pa chen po snga 'gyur lnga dang
phyi 'gyur bcu gsum). Listed in chapter fourteen. Same as 'Eighteen
Major Scriptures' and 'Early and later translation of the Great
Perfection.' In other history books they are also known as the Eighteen
Mothers and Children of the Mind Section (sems sde ma bu bco brgyad). |
| Five Families (rigs lnga). Name of a sadhana
text composed by Guru Rinpoche focused on Mahayoga tantra. |
| Five families (rigs lnga). The five buddha
families: tathagata, vajra, ratna, padma and karma. They represent
five aspects of innate qualities of the tathagatagarbha, our enlightened
essence. |
| Five families of sugatas (bde gshegs rigs
lnga). The five families or aspects of victorious ones; Vairochana,
Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi. |
| Five king-like tertons (gter
ston rgyal po lnga). One list of the Five Terton Kings contains
Nyang Ral Nyima Özer
(1124-1192), Guru Chokyi Wangchuk
(1212-1270), Dorje Lingpa
(1346-1405), Pema Lingpa (1445/50-1521), and (Padma Ösel) Do-ngak
Lingpa (Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo) (1820-1892). Sometimes the list
also includes the great terton Rigdzin
Godem (1337-1408). |
| Five paths (lam
lnga). The five paths or stages on the way to enlightenment:
the path of accumulation, joining, seeing, cultivation, and consummation
or no more learning. |
| Five poisonous kleshas (nyon mongs pa dug
lnga). See 'five poisons.' |
| Five poisons (dug
lnga). Desire, anger, delusion, pride, and envy. |
| Five sciences (rig pa'i gnas lnga). Grammar,
dialectics, healing, arts and crafts, and religious philosophy. |
| Five wisdoms (ye shes lnga). The dharmadhatu
wisdom, mirror-like wisdom, wisdom of equality, discriminating wisdom,
and all-accomplishing wisdom. They represent five distinctive functions
of the tathagatagarbha, our enlightened essence. |
| Five-hundred year period (dus lnga brgya).
Periods of each five hundred years. The Buddhadharma is said to
last ten such periods. |
| Formless Realms (gzugs
med kyi khams). The abodes of unenlightened beings who have practiced formless
meditative states, dwelling on the notions: Infinite Space, Infinite
Consciousness, Nothing Whatsoever, and Neither Presence Nor Absence
(of conception). These beings remain in these four subtle types
of conceptual meditation for many aeons after which they again return
to lower states within samsara. |
| Forty-two peaceful deities (zhi ba bzhi bcu
zhe gnyis). Samantabhadra and Samantabhadri, the five male and female
buddhas, the eight male and female bodhisattvas, the six munis,
and the four male and female gate keepers. |
| Four activities (las bzhi). Pacifying, increasing,
magnetizing, and subjugating. |
| Four
aspects of approach and accomplishment (bsnyen sgrub kyi
yan lag bzhi). Approach, full approach, accomplishment, and great
accomplishment. Four important aspects of Vajrayana practice, especially
the recitation stage of yidam practice. |
| Four continents (gling bzhi). The four continents
surrounding Mount Sumeru: Superior Body, Jambu Continent, Cow Utilizing,
and Unpleasant Sound. |
| Four dhyana states of serenity (snyoms 'jug gi bsam gtan bzhi). The first dhyana
is a state with both concept and discernment. The second dhyana
is a state without concept but with discernment. The third dhyana
is a state without delight but with bliss. The fourth dhyana is
a state of equanimity. |
| Four districts of Tibet (bod ru bzhi). Four
areas in Central Tibet flanking the rivers Kyichu and Tsangpo. |
| Four empowerments (dbang bzhi). The vase,
secret, wisdom-knowledge and precious word empowerments. Padmasambhava
says in the Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo:
“The vase empowerment which purifies the body and the nadis
is the seed of the vajra body and nirmanakaya. The secret empowerment
which purifies the speech and the pranas is the seed of the vajra
speech and sambhogakaya. The phonya empowerment which purifies the
mind and the essences is the seed of the vajra mind and dharmakaya.
The ultimate empowerment which purifies the habitual patterns of
the all-ground is the seed of the vajra wisdom and svabhavikakaya.” |
| Four formless states of serenity (gzugs med kyi snyoms 'jug bzhi). See 'Formless Realms.' |
| Four Great Rivers of Transmissions (bka' babs
kyi chu bo chen po bzhi). The rivers of empowerment of yidam, tantric
scriptures, spiritual friend, and of the expression of awareness.
These four transmissions originate from, respectively, Garab
Dorje, King Jah, Buddhaguhya and Shri
Singha. |
| Four immeasurables (tshad med bzhi). Compassion,
love, joy and impartiality. Also called the 'four abodes of Brahma'
because their cultivation causes rebirth as the king of the gods
in the Realm of Form within samsaric existence. When embraced by
the attitude of bodhichitta, the wish to attain enlightenment for
the welfare of others, their cultivation causes the attainment of
unexcelled buddhahood. |
| Four means of magnetizing (bsdu ba'i dngos
po bzhi). Being generous, uttering kind words, giving appropriate
teachings, and keeping consistency between words and conduct. |
| Four modes (tshul
bzhi). Four levels of meaning: the literal, the general,
the hidden, and the ultimate. |
| Four results of spiritual practice (dge sbyor
gyi 'bras bu bzhi). See 'shravaka.' |
| Four root precepts (rtsa
ba bzhi). To refrain from killing, stealing, lying, and sexual
misconduct. |
| Four Vidyadhara Levels (rig 'dzin rnam pa
bzhi'i go 'phang). The four stages of attainment of knowledge-holders,
masters of the four stages of the tantric path of Mahayoga. The
four vidyadhara levels are the Maturation, Longevity (Life Mastery),
Mahamudra, and Spontaneous Perfection. See under each individually. |
| Freedoms and riches (dal
'byor). See under 'precious human body.' |
| Fruition ('bras
bu). The result, usually the end of a spiritual path. One
of the three levels of enlightenment of a shravaka, pratyekabuddha
or bodhisattva. In Mahayana the state of complete and perfect buddhahood;
in Vajrayana the 'unified state of a vajra-holder,' in this book
expressed as the '25 attributes of fruition.' See also 'view, meditation,
action and fruition.' |
| Fruition of nonreturn (phyir mi ldog pa'i
'bras bu). Liberation from samsara or the omniscient state of buddhahood. |
| Fulfillment ritual (bskang ba, bskang chog).
A practice to purify outer, inner and secret or innermost breaches
and violations of a practitioner's Hinayana precepts, Mahayana vows,
or Vajrayana commitments. |
|
| G |
| Garab Dorje
(dga' rab rdo rje, Skt. Surati Vajra,
Prahevajra, Pramoda Vajra). |
| Garuda (mkha' lding). The mythological bird,
able to travel from one end of the universe to the other with a
single movement of its wings. It is also known to hatch from the
egg fully developed and ready to soar through the sky. |
| Gate-keeping pandita (sgo bsrung ba'i pan
di ta). At the major monastic institutions in ancient India, it
was the custom to nominate competent scholars to the position of
defending the view of Buddhism through debate, one at each of the
gates in the four directions of the monastery. |
| Glorious Blazing Wrathful Goddess Tantra (dpal
'bar ba khro mo'i rgyud). A Mahayoga scripture. A tantra of this
name is found in PA of the Nyingma
Gyubum. |
| Glorious Mountain in Chamara / Glorious Copper
Colored Mountain (rnga g.yab zangs
mdog dpal ri). The terrestrial pure land of Guru Rinpoche
situated on the subcontinent Chamara to the south-east of the Jambu
Continent. Chamara is the central of a configuration of nine islands
inhabited by savage rakshas. In the middle of Chamara rises the
majestic red colored mountain into the skies. On its summit lies
the magical palace Lotus Light, manifested from the natural expression
of primordial wakefulness. Here resides Padmasambhava in an indestructible
bodily form transcending birth and death for as long as samsara
continues and through which he incessantly brings benefit to beings
through magical emanations of his body, speech and mind. |
| Glorious Supreme Primal Tantra (dpal mchog
dang po'i rgyud, Skt. Shri Paramadi Tantra). One the Four Major
Sections of Yoga Tantra. A tantra of the same title is sometimes
listed among the Eighteen Mahayoga Tantras as the tantra of enlightened
qualities. |
| Gola (go la, so chang). A drink of sugar cane
or grain from Nepal. |
| Gongpa
Sangtal (dgongs pa zang thal).
A tantric scripture in five volumes concealed by Guru Rinpoche and
revealed by Rigdzin Godem. |
| Gongpo spirits ('gong po). A type of evil
spirit symbolizing ego-clinging, sometimes counted among the 'eight
classes of gods and demons.' When subdued by a great master, they
can also act as guardians of the Buddhadharma. |
| Good Aeon (bskal pa bzang po, Skt. bhadrakalpa).
This present aeon in which one thousand buddhas will appear, lasting
no less than 160 million years. |
| Great Cave of Puri / Crystal Cave of Puri Phugmoche
(spu ri phug mo che shel gyi brag phug). The treasure
site of Sangye Lingpa
in the Puwo district bordering Assam, where he revealed the Lama
Gongdu cycle. |
| Great Compassionate One (thugs rje chen po).
The bodhisattva of boundless compassion also known as Avalokiteshvara. |
| Great Garuda View Scripture (lta ba khyung
chen gyi lung). A tantra with similar title is found in Vol. KA
of the Nyingma Gyubum. |
| Great Glacier Lady of Invincible Turquoise Mist
(gangs kyi yum chen rdo rje g.yu bun ma). A protector of the
Dharma teachings bound under oath by Padmasambhava. She was formerly
a Bonpo warrior spirit (dgra lha). |
| Great Glorious One (dpal chen). Identical
with Vishuddha Heruka in the case
of Namkhai Nyingpo's
vision. |
| Great Perfection (rdzogs
pa chen po, Skt. mahasandhi). The third of the Three Inner
Tantras of the Nyingma School. The Great Perfection is the ultimate
of all the 84,000 profound and extensive sections of the Dharma,
the realization of Buddha Samantabhadra, exactly as it is. See also
'Dzogchen' or 'Ati Yoga.' |
| Guhyasamaja (gsang
ba 'dus pa). Literally, 'Assembly of Secrets.' One of the
major tantras and yidams of the New School. |
| Guru Chowang
(gu ru chos dbang). One of the Five Terton Kings. (1212-1270). For details, see
the H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche's The Nyingma Lineage, its History and
Fundamentals, Wisdom Publications. Guru Chowang means 'Master
Lord of the Dharma.' |
| Guru Rinpoche
(gu ru rin po che) 'Precious Master.' The lotus born tantric
master who established Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 9th century
at the invitation of King Trisong Deutsen. |
| Guru, Yidam and Dakini (bla ma yi dam mkha'
'gro). The three roots of Vajrayana practice: the guru is the root
of blessings, the yidam is the root of accomplishments, and the
dakini is the root of activities. |
| Gyalmo Tsawarong (rgyal mo tsha ba rong).
A district between eastern Tibet and China. |
| Gyalpo spirits (rgyal
po). A type of mischievous spirit, sometimes counted among
the 'eight classes of gods and demons.' When subdued by a great
master, they can also act as guardians of the Buddhadharma. |
| Gyalto Rami (rgyal to ra mi). Minister of
King Trisong Deutsen; also spelled Gyatong Rakyim (rgya stong ra
khyim). |
 Gyalwa
Cho-yang of Nganlam (ngan lam
rgyal ba mchog dbyangs). A close disciple of Guru Rinpoche
who attained accomplishment through the practice of Hayagriva and
was later incarnated as the Karmapas. |
| Gyalwa Jangchub of Lasum (la
gsum rgyal ba byang chub). One of the first seven Tibetans
to receive full ordination as a monk by Shantarakshita,
he was exceedingly intelligent, visited India several times and
translated many sacred scriptures. A close disciple of Padmasambhava,
he attained siddhi and could fly through the sky. Rigdzin Kunzang
Sherab, the founder of the great Palyul Monastery in Kham, is considered
one of his reincarnations. Gyalwa Jangchub means 'Victorious enlightenment.' |
| Gyalwey Lodro of Drey ('bre
rgyal ba'i blo gros). One of the first Tibetans to take ordination.
He received transmission from Hungkara
in India. At first he was a trusted attendant of Trisong Deutsen
by the name Gonpo and later, at the time of taking ordination, he
was given the name Gyalwey Lodro, Victorious Intelligence. He became
erudite in translation and attained accomplishment after receiving
transmission from Hungkara.
It is said that he visited the land of Yama, the Lord of the Dead,
and saved his mother from the hell realms. After receiving teachings
from Padmasambhava, he showed the feat of transforming a zombie
into gold. Some of this gold has been revealed in termas later on.
He achieved the vidyadhara level of longevity and is reputed to
have lived until the time of Rongzom Pandita Chokyi Sangpo (rong
zom chos kyi bzang po) 1012-1088, to whom he gave teachings. |
| Gyatsa Lhanang (rgya tsha lha snang). A minister
of King Trisong Deutsen; also spelled Gyaltsa Lhanang (rgyal tsha
lha snang). |
|
| H |
| Hashang (hva shang). See 'Chinese teacher
Hashang.' In this book, one of the construction masters of Samye
was a Chinese known as Hashang Mahayana and a Chinese doctor by
the name Hashang Tetsa also occur. Finally, Hashang is mentioned
as one of the countries from the language of which the Dharma was
translated. |
| Haughty spirit (dregs pa). A certain type
of malevolent spirit. |
| Hayagriva (rta mgrin).
Tantric deity often shown with a horse's head within his flaming
hair; wrathful aspect of Buddha Amitabha. Often identical with Padma
Heruka, Lotus Speech, among the Eight
Sadhana Teachings. |
| Hearing Lineage (nyan
brgyud). The lineage of oral teachings from master to disciple
as distinct from scriptural lineage of textual transmission. The
Hearing Lineage emphasizes the key points of oral instruction rather
than elaborate philosophical learning. |
| Heart Essence (snying
thig). In general identical with the Instruction Section,
the third of three division of Dzogchen. In particular it refers
to the Innermost Unexcelled Cycle of Heart Essence (yang
gsang bla na med pa'i snying thig gi skor), the fourth of
the four divisions of the Instruction Section according to the arrangement
of Shri Singha. All lineages
of the Innermost Essence passed through Shri Singha and continued
in Tibet through his personal disciples, Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra.
In the 14th century these two lineages passed through Rangjung Dorje,
the third Karmapa, and his close Dharma friend Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363),
the latter of which systematized these teachings in his great body
of writings, the Nyingtig Yabzhi.
The Nyingtig teachings have also appeared through many other lines
of transmission; for instance, each major terton reveals an independent
cycle of Dzogchen instructions. The practice of the innermost Heart
Essence is continued to this very day. |
| Heat of samadhi (ting
nge 'dzin gyi drod). Sign of progress or accomplishment in
meditation. |
| Hepori (has po ri). A big hill at Samye. One
of four sacred mountains in Central Tibet. |
| Heretic (mu stegs pa). See under 'non-Buddhist.' |
| Heruka (khrag 'thung). Literally, 'blood drinker.'
A wrathful deity; drinker of the blood of ego-clinging. |
| Heruka Galpo (he
ru ka gal po). One of the Eighteen Mahayoga Tantras; focused
on Vishuddha Mind. Both the Galpo and the Galpoche tantras are found
in Vol. RA of the Nyingma Gyubum. |
| Higher perceptions (mngon
par shes pa). See 'superknowledges.' |
| Hinayana
(theg pa dman pa). |
| His Holiness Dilgo
Khyentse Rinpoche (skyabs rje ldil mgo mkhyen brtse rin
po che). (b. 1910). Regarded by followers of all four schools as
one of the foremost living masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Among his
other names are Rabsel Dawa and Tashi Paljor, and his terton names
Osel Trulpey Dorje and Pema Do-ngak Lingpa. |
| Hundred and Eight Sadhanas of Guru
Vidyadhara (bla ma rig 'dzin gyi sgrub thabs brgya rtsa
brgyad). One of the Nine Sadhana Sections of Mahayoga. |
| Hundred peaceful and wrathful divinities (zhi
khro'i lha brgya). The 42 peaceful and 58 wrathful deities. See
individually. |
| Hundred syllable mantra (yig
brgya). The mantra of the buddha Vajrasattva consisting of
one hundred syllables. |
| Hundred Thousand Tika Scripture ('bum gyi
ti ka'i rgyud lung). One of the Eighteen Mahayoga Tantras. Found
in Vol. OM of the Nyingma Gyubum. |
| Hungkara
(Skt.). One of the Eight Vidyadharas;
receiver of the tantras of Vishuddha Mind including Heruka Galpo.
|
|
| I |
| Ignorant all-ground / ignorant aspect of the all-ground
(kun gzhi ma rig pa'i cha). Synonymous with coemergent
ignorance. |
| Indrabodhi (rgyal po indra bodhi). The king
of the country of Uddiyana during the appearance of Padmasambhava
in this world. Sometimes his name is spelled Indrabhuti. |
| Innate nature (chos
nyid). See under 'dharmata.' |
| Inner Tantras of Secret Mantra (gsang sngags
nang gi rgyud sde). Usually this term refers to the Three Inner
Tantras of Mahayoga, Anu Yoga and Ati Yoga, but in the specific
context of the translation of the tantras in chapter twelve only
Mahayoga and Anu Yoga are included. The Ati Yoga tantras are listed
in chapter fourteen. |
| Innermost Unexcelled Cycle of the Great Perfection
(rdzogs pa chen po yang gsang bla na med pa'i skor). |
| Instruction Section (man ngag sde). The third
of the Three Sections of Dzogchen, as arranged by Manjushrimitra.
In Tibet three lineages are represented: through Padmasambhava and
Vairotsana who both received
transmission from Shri Singha,
and through Vimalamitra
who received transmission partly from Shri Singha and partly from
Jnanasutra. The two former lineages were continued only as termas
while Vimalamitra's was passed on both as terma and as oral transmission.
In the following millennium, innumerable termas have been revealed
containing the precious instructions of these three great masters.
The most important of these terma treasures are included in the
Rinchen Terdzo, a collection
of termas by Jamgon Kongtrul covering the Three Inner Tantras and
in Nyingtig Yabzhi. |
|
| J |
| Jambu Continent ('dzam bu gling). Our known
world. The southern of the four continents, so called because it
is adorned with the Jambubriksha (rose apple) tree. |
| Jamgon
Kongtrul ('jam mgon kong sprul). (1813-1899). |
| Jamyang
Khyentse Wangpo ('jam dbyangs
mkhyen brtse'i dbang po). (1820-1892). |
| Jarung Khashor (bya rung kha shor). 'Permission
Once Given (Cannot be Taken Back)'. The great white stupa at Boudhanath
in the Kathmandu Valley. |
| Jnana Kumara of Nyag (gnyag
jna na ku ma ra, ye shes gzhon nu). Jnana Kumara means 'Youthful
Wakefulness.' Early Tibetan monk and expert translator who received
the Four Great Rivers of Transmission from Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra,
Vairotsana and Yudra Nyingpo.
He worked closely with Vimalamitra
in translating tantras of Mahayoga and Ati Yoga. He is also known
as Nyag Lotsawa and by his secret initiation name Drimey Dashar,
'Flawless Moonlight.' His initiation flower, along with Trisong
Deutsen's, fell on Chemchok Heruka. Subsequently, he received the
transmission of Nectar Medicine from Padmasambhava. He practiced
in the Crystal Cave of Yarlung, where he drew water from solid rock;
it is said this water still flows today. Among his later incarnations
is Dabzang Rinpoche, a 19th-century contemporary of Jamgon Kongtrul
the First. Jnana Kumara means 'Youthful Wakefulness.' |
| Joyous bhumi (sa
rab tu dga' ba). The first of ten bodhisattva stages; liberation
from samsara and realization of the truth of reality. |
|
| K |
| Kadag Rangjung Rangshar (ka
dag rang byung rang shar). The title of one of the five volumes contained in Gongpa
Sangtal. Kadag Rangjung Rangshar means 'self-existing and self-manifest
primordial purity.' |
| Kailash (ti se). Sacred mountain in western
Tibet; also known as Mount Tisey. |
| Kalachakra (dus kyi 'khor lo). 'Wheel of Time.'
A tantra and a Vajrayana system taught by Buddha Shakyamuni himself,
showing the interrelationship between the phenomenal world, the
physical body and the mind. |
| Kamalashila (Skt.) Disciple of Shantarakshita
who represented the Indian position in a decisive eighth century
debate at Samye. |
 Kangyur
- The words and teachings of the Buddha: the first division of the
Tibetan Canon. |
 Karma Pakshi (karma
pakshi). (1204-1283). The second in the line of Karmapa incarnations
and is regarded as the first recognized Tibetan tulku. The name
Pakshi is Mongolian for 'master,' a title he became renowned under
after being given a high religious position by the Mongolian emperor.
Among his disciples is the great siddha Orgyenpa Rinchen Pal (1230-1309). |
| Kathang (bka' thang). 'Chronicles.' Usually
refers to the biographies of Padmasambhava concealed as terma treasures. |
| Kawa Paltsek (ska
ba dpal brtsegs). Direct disciple of both Padmasambhava and
Shantarakshita; important
contributor to the translation of the Tibetan Tripitaka and the
Nyingma Gyubum. Born in Phen
Valley, he became an eminent translator in accordance with a prophecy
by Padmasambhava, and was among the first seven Tibetan monks ordained
by Shantarakshita. He
received Vajrayana teachings from the great master Padma and attained
unimpeded clairvoyance. Kawa is a place name and Paltsek means 'Mountain
of resplendence.' |
| Kayas (sku).
'Body' in the sense of a body or embodiment of numerous qualities.
When speaking of two kayas: dharmakaya and rupakaya. The three kayas
are dharmakaya, sambhogakaya and nirmanakaya. See also 'three kayas.' |
| Khamsum Copper Temple (khams gsum zangs khang
gling). A temple at Samye built by Lady Margyen of Tsepang, a queen
of king Trisong Deutsen. |
| Khandro Nyingtig (mkha'
'gro snying thig). Khandro Nyingtig means 'Heart Essence
of the Dakinis.' A profound collection of Dzogchen teachings transmitted
through Padmasambhava to Princess Pema Sal. Is included within the
famous Nyingtig Yabshi. |
| Khandro
Yeshe Tsogyal (mkha' 'gro ye shes mtsho rgyal). See Yeshe
Tsogyal. |
| Kharchu at Lhodrak (lho brag mkhar chu). The
retreat place of Padmasambhava's mind. It is situated one day's
walk from Lord Marpa's house in Lhodrak. |
| Khatvanga (Skt.). A staff carried by tantric
adepts and representing the secret consort and transformation of
the three poisons. |
| Khenpo (mkhan po).
A title for one who has completed the major course of studies of
about ten years' duration of the traditional branches of Buddhist
philosophy, logic, Vinaya and so forth. Can also refer to the abbot
of a monastery or the preceptor from whom one receives ordination. |
| Khenpo
Bodhisattva (mkhan po bo dhi satva). The Indian master who
ordained the first monks in Tibet. See Shantarakshita. |
 Khenpo Ngakchung alias Ngawang Palsang (mkhan po ngag dbang dpal bzang). (1879-1941). A
khenpo at Katok and a very important reviver of the scholastic lineage
of expounding the Dzogchen scriptures. Considered to be incarnation
of both Vimalamitra and
Longchenpa. Chadral Sangye Dorje is one of his last living disciples. |
| Kilaya (phur ba). 1) Sacred dagger used in
tantric rituals. 2) Same as Kilaya Activity. |
| Kilaya (Skt., phur
pa). The tantras about and the tantric deity Vajra Kilaya. |
| Kilaya Activity (phur pa phrin las). The heruka
of the karma family or the tantric teachings connected to this deity
among the Eight Sadhana Teachings. |
| King Jah (rgyal po dzah). The first human
recipient of the Mahayoga teachings and an important figure head
in the transmission of Anu Yoga. |
| King Trisong Deutsen (rgyal po khri srong
lde'u btsan). See Trisong
Deutsen. |
| King Yama (gshin rje rgyal po). The Lord of
Death. The terrible judge of the dead. Also a personification of
impermanence, the unfailing law of karma and one's inevitable mortality. |
| Klesha (nyon mongs pa). 'Disturbing emotion.'
Usually the five poisons known as desire, anger, delusion, pride
and envy. |
| Konchok Chidu (dkon
mchog spyi 'dus). The 'Embodiment of the Precious Ones.'
A terma cycle revealed by the great Jatson Nyingpo (1585-1656) focused
on Padmasambhava. He transmitted this set of teachings first to
Dudul Dorje (1615-1672). Large portions of this material are translated
into English by Peter Roberts. |
| Konchok Jungney of Langdro (lang
gro dkon mchog 'byung gnas). At first a minister at the court
of Trisong Deutsen, he later became one of Padmasambhava's close
disciples and attained accomplishment. The great tertons Ratna Lingpa
(1403-1471) and Longsal Nyingpo (1625-1692) are considered to be
among his reincarnations. Konchok Jungney means 'Source of the Precious
Ones.' |
| Kriya Yoga (bya
ba'i rnal 'byor). The first of the three outer tantras which
places emphasis on cleanliness and pure conduct. The scriptures
of Kriya Tantra appeared first in Varanasi. |
| Kungamo (kun dga' mo). The wisdom dakini who
conferred empowerment upon Guru Rinpoche. She is also known as the
dakini Leykyi Wangmo, Nyida Ngodrub or as Guhyajnana, the chief
of wisdom dakinis. |
| Kunzang Tuktig (kun
bzang thugs thig). The Heart Essence of Samantabhadra.
A collection of terma teachings revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa focused
on the peaceful and wrathful deities. |
| Kyeho (kye ho). Exclamation of distress or
invocation. |
|
| l |
| Lady Kharchen (mkhar chen bza'). See Yeshe
Tsogyal. |
| Lady Margyen of Tsepang (tshe spang bza' dmar
rgyan). One of the queens of king Trisong Deutsen. Reputed to have
been a major troublemaker. |
| Lady Tsogyal
of Kharchen (mkhar chen bza' mtsho rgyal). See Yeshe Tsogyal. |
| Lama Gongdu
(bla ma dgongs 'dus). Cycle revealed
by Sangye Lingpa (1340-96)
in 18 volumes of approximately 700 pages each. Lama
Gongdu means 'embodiment of the master's realization.' |
| Lama Sangdu (bla
ma gsang 'dus). A terma discovered by Guru
Chowang (1212-1270), one of the earliest and most important
tertons. It focuses on the guru principle as Padmasambhava's sambhogakaya
form of the fivefold mandala of Totreng Tsal. Lama Sangdu means
'embodiment of the master's secrets.' |
| Langdarma (glang dar ma). Brother of the great
Dharma king Ralpachen and the persecutor of the Sangha in central
Tibet during a five year reign. During his brief reign, he almost
succeeded in eradicating Buddhism in Tibet. |
| Learning, reflection and meditation (thos bsam sgom gsum). 'Learning' means receiving
oral teachings and studying scriptures in order to clear away ignorance
and wrong views. 'Reflection' is to eradicate uncertainty and misunderstanding
through carefully thinking over the subject. 'Meditation' means
to gain direct insight through applying the teachings in one's personal
experience. |
| Lekdrub (legs grub). See Lekdrub of Tsang. |
| Lekdrub of Tsang (gtsang legs grub). The companion
of Vairotsana on his journey
to India. Lekdrub received half of the transmission of Dzogchen
from Shri Singha, departed
early and died on his way back to Tibet. He was reborn as Yudra
Nyingpo. |
| Level (sa). The levels or stages a bodhisattva
traverses on the journey to complete enlightenment. |
| Leykyi Wangmo (las kyi dbang mo, Skt. Karma
Indranila, Karmeshvari). The dakini who transmitted the Eight
Sadhana Teachings to the Eight Vidyadharas
and later the Assemblage of Sugatas to Padmasambhava. See also 'Kungamo.' |
| Lhalung Palgyi Dorje (lha lung dpal gyi rdo
rje). Born in Upper Drom, he was first a border guard but developed
renunciation and received ordination from Vimalamitra,
together with his two brothers. He received the bodhisattva vow
from Padmasambhava as well as empowerment and oral instructions
in Vajrayana. He practiced meditation in White Gorge of Tsib and
at Yerpa where he reached the accomplishment of being able to traverse
freely through solid rock. Years later he assassinated the evil
king Langdarma. |
| Lhasa (lha sa). 'Abode of the Gods.' The capital
of Tibet and location of the famous Jokhang temple founded by King
Songtsen Gampo. |
| Liberating Sorcery of Mother Deities (ma mo
rbod gtong). One of the Eight Sadhana
Teachings of Mahayoga. |
| Life-wheel, hail and spells (srog ser gtad
gsum). Three aspects of protective tantric rituals. |
| Lobpon Bodhisattva, alias Shantarakshita
(zhi ba 'tsho), 'Guardian of Peace.' The Indian pandita
and abbot of Vikramashila and of Samye who ordained the first Tibetan
monks. He was an incarnation of the bodhisattva Vajrapani and is
also known as Khenpo Bodhisattva
or Bhikshu Bodhisattva Shantarakshita. He is the founder of a philosophical
school combining Madhyamika and Yogachara. This tradition was reestablished
and clarified by Mipham Rinpoche in his commentary on the Madhyamaka
Lamkara. |
| Loden Chogsey (blo ldan mchog sred). One of
the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava. |
| Lokyi Chungpa (lo
ki chung pa). A close disciple of Padmasambhava who became
a Buddhist translator while very young, hence his name. He is also
known as Khyeu-chung Lotsawa, 'Boy Translator.' Among his later
incarnations are the terton Dudul Dorje (1615-1672), Dudjom Lingpa
(1835-1903), and H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje (1904-1987). |
| Longchenpa
alias Longchen Rabjam (klong chen pa, klong chen rab 'byams). (1308-1363)
|
| Lord Nyang (mnga' bdag nyang / myang). See
Nyang Ral Nyima Oser. |
| Lord of Death (gshin
rje). 1) A personification of impermanence and the unfailing
law of cause and effect. 2) ('chi bdag)
The demon with this name is one of the four Maras; see under 'Mara.' |
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