Skt. = Sanskrit / Tib. = Tibetan

abbot: A person in charge of teaching at a monastery who has attained a high degree of Buddhist knowledge. Also refers to someone who gives monastic vows.

abhidharma (Skt.): One of the tripitaka (three baskets) of the Buddhist canon. It is the collection of scriptures that describes the philosophical and psychological makeup of the universe and the sentient beings within it.

abhisheka (Skt. / Tib. wang): Also known as "empowerment" in the vajrayana tradition. A ritual initiation into a mandala of a particular Buddhist practice, empowerment is conferred by a lineage teacher who is a recipient and practitioner of such transmissions. Thus, the student is empowered to perform the practice.

absolute truth: Actual truth perceived without one's mental obscurations and fabrications.

acharya (Skt. / Tib. loppon): Literally, "master." An honorific title denoting great spiritual and/or academic achievement.

adhisthana (Skt.): Also known as "blessing(s)." In the vajrayana tradition, a student who has genuine devotion and proper motivation can receive the blessings of the lineage. Blessings are usually bestowed by one's teacher and other lineage masters, or can be received through heartfelt connection to one's practice. Blessings awaken a greater sense of awareness in the practitioner.  

Amitabha (Skt. / Tib. Öpame): The buddha of boundless light. One of the five dhyani buddhas. Amitabha is a symbol for the clear light state in meditation. Amitabha practice employs the means of visualization, mantra and wishing prayers to realize the deity as the true nature of our own mind – clear, empty and compassionate. 

amrita (Skt. / Tib. dutsi): Literally, "elixir of immortality." A symbol of wisdom, amrita is blessed liquor used in vajrayana practices.

animal realm: One of the six realms of existence that has as its primary cause of rebirth the conflicting emotion ignorance. One of the three lower or unfortunate realms of existence. See "six realms of existence or samsara."

arhat (Skt.): Literally, "enemy destroyer." The arhat represents the hinayana ideal, one who has experienced the cessation of suffering through purification of the veils produced by the "enemy," the kleshas or conflicting emotions. Although free from the cycles of rebirth, the arhat is not fully enlightened.

auspicious coincidence (Tib. tendrel): The coming together of meritorious conditions to create a positive result; i.e., in meeting a guru or receiving teachings.

avadhuti (Skt.): The central channel or nadi of the subtle body that represents non-dual wisdom.

Avalokiteshvara (Skt. / Tib. Chenrezig): "loving eyes", the bodhisattva of compassion. One of the eight great bodhisattvas of Shakyamuni Buddha. Avalokiteshvara, the patron deity of Tibet is the embodiment of the compassion of all the buddhas. Known as a yidam or deity practice, Avalokiteshvara is a ritualized meditative technique designed to help the practitioner directly access the spiritual qualities symbolized by the deity. The methods of supportive imagery or visualization, mantra and wishing prayers are the means used to cultivate boundless compassion.

awake: Realization of one's own buddha-nature; the primordially awake essential nature of every being.

awareness: The self-cognizant quality of mind, developed and clarified in meditation practice.

bardo (Tib.): Literally, "in between" or "intermediate." Bardos are the phases in the cyclical process of life, death and rebirth. Vajrayana teachings generally define six major bardos:

1. bardo of death: The interval from the moment when the individual begins to die until the moment when the separation of the mind and body takes place.
2. bardo of dharmata: The interval immediately following death when the mind fully experiences its own, ultimate nature. The first phase of the after-death experience.
3. bardo of becoming: The interval during which the disembodied mind moves towards rebirth. This is what is commonly referred to as ‘the bardo’.
4. bardo of this life: Ordinary waking consciousness during the present lifetime.
5. bardo of dream: The dream state experienced in sleep.
6. bardo of meditation: The state of meditative absorption.

bhumi (Skt. / Tib. sa): Literally "ground" or "foundation." The ten stages of realization and activity through which a bodhisattva progresses on the path towards enlightenment.

blessing(s): Also known as adhisthana. In the vajrayana tradition, a student who has genuine devotion and proper motivation can receive the blessings of the lineage. Blessings are usually bestowed by one's teacher and other lineage masters, or can be received through heartfelt connection to one's practice. Blessings awaken a greater sense of awareness in the practitioner.  

Bodh Gaya: The place of pilgrimage in Bihar, India, where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment around 500 B.C.

bodhi (Skt.): Enlightenment, awakening.

bodhicitta (Skt.): Literally, "enlightened heart" or "enlightened mind." Bodhicitta or enlightened attitude is the aspiration and action to attain enlightenment in order to deliver all sentient beings from the sufferings of cyclic existence. The development of bodhicitta is the indispensable essence of all mahayana and vajrayana practices.

bodhisattva (Skt.): Literally, "enlightenment being." 1. A practitioner who has attained realization of the bhumis 2. A practitioner who is devoted to achieving enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. 3. Someone who has taken the bodhisattva vow.

bramarandhra (Skt.): The upper opening of the central channel (avadhuti) located on the top of the head.

buddha (Skt.): Literally, “awakened one." 1. The historical Buddha Shakyamuni. 2. Any being that has achieved the complete, perfect enlightened state. 3. The potential for awakened mind present in all beings. 4. Also, the first of the "three jewels" – the buddha, the dharma and the sangha.

buddhafields: Also called pure lands, this is a realm created by the pure wishes of bodhisattvas prior to their attainment of buddhahood where conditions are perfect for the swift attainment of enlightenment.

buddha-nature (Skt. tathagatagarbha): The essence of buddhahood; the primordially awake essential nature of every being. Obscured by ignorance and kleshas, this nature can be actualized by the various practices of Buddhism.

chakra (Skt. / Tib. khorlo): Literally, "circle" or "wheel." In Buddhist yoga practice, this refers to the energy centers of the subtle body: head, throat, heart and navel.

Chakrasamvara (Skt. / Tib. Khorlo Demchog): Literally, "binder of the chakras." Chakrasamvara is a heruka visualized as dark blue in color and in union with his consort, Vajrayogini. An important tantric diety; a key yidam of Kagyu lineage.

Chenrezig (Tib. / Skt. Avalokiteshvara): "loving eyes," the bodhisattva of compassion. One of the eight great bodhisattvas of Shakyamuni Buddha. Chenrezig, the patron deity of Tibet is the embodiment of the compassion of all the buddhas. Known as a yidam or deity practice, Chenrezig is a ritualized meditative technique designed to help the practitioner directly access the spiritual qualities symbolized by the deity. The methods of supportive imagery or visualization, mantra and wishing prayers are the means used to cultivate boundless compassion.

circumambulation: Act of walking clockwise in reverence around a sacred object such as stupa, a temple, holy landmark, etc.

compassion (Skt. karuna / Tib. nyingje): The unconditional wish that all sentient beings be freed from physical and mental suffering.

completion stage (Skt. sampanakrama / Tib. dzog rim): One of the two stages of tantric practice based upon absolute or ultimate truth. In the Kagyu tradition, the six yogas of Naropa are completion stage practices. See development stage.

conditioned existence: Life within the six realms of existence or samsara where experiences are conditioned by causes and effects and inevitable suffering.

conflicting or disturbing emotion(s): Also called negative emotions or kleshas. Conflicting emotions obscure the essentially pure nature of mind. The five conflicting emotions are passion (also called desire or attachment), aggression, ignorance, jealousy and pride.

confusion: Not seeing or understanding the true nature of mind and the suffering in conditioned existence that results from it.

consort: A female diety (Tib. yum), represented in union with a male diety (Tib. yab). The female symbolizes wisdom, inseparable from the male aspect of skillful means. Also, consort refers to the wife of a great teacher.  

crazy wisdom: The primordial wisdom or skillful means of a realized meditation master that spontaneously responds to situations to fulfill the four enlightened actions of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing and destroying. Even though the behavior of a crazy wisdom master may appear outrageous and unconventional, the motivation of his or her action is based on unconditional compassion.

daka (Skt.): Literally, “sky-dancer." The cosmic male energy principle associated with skillful means.

dakini (Skt.): Literally, “sky-dancer." The cosmic feminine energy principle associated with knowledge, wisdom and creativity.

damaru (Skt.): A double-sided hand drum used in tantric practices.

deity: In Buddhism, there are no external saviors; rather deity is often used as a translation for "yidam" representing an enlightened quality used as a meditation support.

Dewachen (Tib. / Skt. Sukhyavati): "The place of great bliss." The buddhafield or pure land of Buddha Amitabha where development towards enlightenment is swift and uninterrupted.

dharma (Skt. / Tib. chö): Of the many meanings for this term, in its broadest sense it means all that can be known. Buddhism and the Buddha's teachings are referred to as "the Dharma" and a "thing" or phenomenon, a constituent of existence, is called a dharma. It is also the second of the three jewels – the buddha, the dharma and the sangha.

dharmadhatu (Skt.): The uncontrived realm of all elements of phenomena, both samsara and nirvana; the ultimate space in which all transpires.

dharmakaya (Skt.): One of the trikaya, the three bodies of a buddha. Dharmakaya, the isdom form or mind of the buddhas is none other than absolute truth, which is non-conceptual and indefinable.

dharmata (Skt.): The fundamental nature of all phenomena, the essence of reality.

dharmapala (Skt. / Tib. chö kyong): "protector of the dharma." An enlightened being, generally of wrathful appearance, who eliminates obstacles on the path to enlightenment.

dhyani buddha (Skt.): The five dhyani buddhas – Amitaba, Akshobya, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava and Vairocana express the fully enlightened energy corresponding to the five buddha families – padma, vajra, karma, ratna and buddha. Each buddha is the central figure of his family’s mandala.

don(s) (Tib.): Ostensibly caused by a malevolent spirit, dons are physical and/or mental obstructions experienced due to a lack of mindfulness.

dorje (Tib. / Skt. vajra): Generally symbolizing indestructibility or adamantine quality, the dorje or vajra is a ritual object used together with a bell or ghanta. The dorje represents skillful means or compassion and the bell symbolizes wisdom.

Dorje Chang (Tib. / Skt. Vajradhara): Literally, "vajra holder." The name of the dharmakaya buddha who is of particular importance to the Kagyu lineage. The ultimate source of tantric teachings, he is of dark blue color and crosses his arms while holding a bell and dorje, symbolizing the inseparability of wisdom and skillful means.

Dorje Phagmo (Tib. / Skt. Vajrayogini): A semi-wrathful diety visualized as red in color, Dorje Phagmo represents the transformation of ignorance and passion (desire or attachment) into wisdom and compassion. An important tantric diety, a key yidam of the Kagyu tradition that is generally practiced after completion of ngondro or the preliminary practices.   

Dorje Sempa (Tib. / Skt. Vajrasattva): Literally, “vajra being." The buddha of purification. One of the four preliminary practices using the recitation of the 100-syllable mantra, Dorje Sempa practice involves acknowledging and regretting all one's negative actions with the aim to purify the habitual tendencies from which they arise. Dorje Sempa is visualized as white in color and represents the intrinsic capacity of the mind to recognize its own primordial purity.

duality: The mistaken perception separating the perceiver and the world, self and other, this and that.

dzog chen (Tib. / Skt. maha ati): "the great perfection." Perfection means that the nature of mind contains all the qualities of the three kayas – it is empty, it is clear and it is all encompassing. Dzog Chen is an important tantric practice of the Nyingma lineage.

ego: The mistaken notion of  "I", a separate self, from which all confusion and suffering arises.

ego-clinging: Holding on to the belief in "I," a self.

egolessness: The experience of our world absent of dualistic fixation, either of oneself or of external phenomena. One of the three marks of existence.

eight auspicious symbols: Symbols that correspond to the different parts of a buddha's body – eternal knot, lotus, canopy, conch, wheel, banner, vase and fish.

eight worldly dharmas: The worldly concerns of gain and loss; happiness and suffering; praise and blame; and fame and infamy.

empowerment (Skt. abhisheka / Tib. wang): A ritual initiation into a mandala of a particular Buddhist practice, empowerment is conferred by a lineage teacher who is a recipient and practitioner of such transmissions. Thus, the student is empowered to perform the practice.

emptiness (Skt. shunyata): In the mahayana, emptiness refers to the absence of self or ego in the mind and in its external projections. Refers to the fact that all conceptual frameworks are empty of any reality, of a solid and unchanging essence. Also refers to the absolute and pure quality of mind. Emptiness is taught as the central theme of prajnaparamita texts and madhyamika philosophy.

enlightened attitude (Skt. bodhicitta): Enlightened attitude or bodhicitta is the aspiration and action to attain enlightenment in order to deliver all sentient beings from the sufferings of cyclic existence. The development of enlightened attitude is the indispensable essence of all mahayana and vajrayana practices.

enlightenment (Skt. bodhi / Tib. jangchup): The ultimate achievement of buddhahood, the state of realization in which the subtlest traces of ego and ignorance about the nature of reality are purified or eliminated.

feast offering (Skt. ganachakra / Tib. tsok): Blessing, offering and consuming food and drink as representations of wisdom during a ritual practice.

five buddha families: Buddha, vajra, ratna, padma and karma families represent the five qualities of wisdom, respectively: all encompassing space, mirror-like wisdom, wisdom of equanimity, discriminating wisdom and all-accomplishing wisdom. In samsara, the state of confusion, these qualities are mixed with ego-clinging and manifest as the five conflicting emotions, respectively: ignorance, aggression, pride, passion (also called desire or attachment) and jealousy or envy.

five paths (Tib. lam nga): According to the mahayana doctrine, the five paths to enlightenment are:

1. path of accumulation: Here, the practitioner focuses on purification and the accumulation of merit.
2. path of unification: The focus here is cutting attachment at its root through application of the teachings.
3. path of seeing: Here one has gone beyond cyclic existence and has reached the first bhumi. 
4. path of meditation: The second through tenth stages of the bodhisattva.
5. path of no more learning: Full enlightenment. The stage past the tenth bhumi.

four classes of tantra: According to the New Translation School, the division of tantra into kriya (action), carya (performance), yoga (union) and anutara yoga (highest union).

four karmas (Tib. thrinly zhi): The buddhas’ compassion is expressed through four main kinds of activity: pacifying, enriching, magnetizing and destroying.

four noble truths: The first teaching given by Buddha Shakyamuni: the truth of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to cessation of suffering.

Gampopa (Tib.): (1079-1153). Predicted by the Buddha, the "Physician from Dhagpo" was the most famous disciple of Milarepa and founder of the Kagyu monastic order. Gampopa brought together the mahamudra lineage of Milarepa with the Kadampa tradition of mahayana mind training. Gampopa is said to have had 50,000 students and was the first of the Kagyu lineage to teach widely.

gau (Tib.): An amulet box, reliquary used to hold sacred substances.

gelong (Tib.): A fully ordained monk.

gelongma (Tib.): A fully ordained nun.

Gelug (Tib.): Literally, “virtuous." One of the four great schools of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Je Tsonkhapa in the 14th century. Also referred to as the "Yellow Hat" sect. The head of the Gelugpa lineage is the Dalai Lama.

ghanta (Skt.): The ghanta or bell is a ritual object used together with a dorje or vajra. The bell symbolizes wisdom and the dorje represents skillful means or compassion.

god realm: One of the six realms of existence that has as its primary cause of rebirth the conflicting emotion pride (sometimes also attributed to the ignorance of bliss). The lives of gods while long and marked by sensuous bliss are ended in great sorrow as their fall from the god realm towards a lower rebirth becomes imminent. See "six realms of existence or samsara."

grasping and fixation: The dualistic process whereby external objects other than "self" are fixated upon as solid entities and the mind "I" then grasps them.

guru (Skt. / Tib. lama): Spiritual teacher who guides disciples on the path to liberation or enlightenment. A guru or lama is particularly important in the vajrayana tradition.

guru yoga (Skt.): Literally, “union with the teacher." A fundamental tantric practice in which the meditator receives the blessing of the guru by seeing him as no different from the buddha, the yidam and the essential nature of one’s own mind. Also one of the four preliminary practices of ngondro.

Gyalwa (Tib.): "Victorious One." The honorific title of the Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage.

habitual tendencies: Habitual patterns of body, speech and mind created by the karmic imprints of behaviors from previous lives.
 
Heart Sutra: The extremely concise treatise on emptiness regarded as the heart or essence of the vast prajnaparamita (perfection of wisdom) literature.

hell realm: One of the six realms of existence that has as its primary cause of rebirth the conflicting emotion aggression. The hell realm is marked by intense and constant suffering and is the most painful of the three unfortunate realms of existence. See "six realms of existence or samsara."

heruka (Skt.): Wrathful, male tantric deity or yidam. The masculine principle of skillful means that creates power in situations. 

hinayana (Skt.): Literally, “small vehicle." In the vajrayana system, the first of the three yanas or vehicles. Hinayana emphasizes individual liberation from conditioned existence or samsara. Hinayana is subdivided into the shravakayana and pratyekabuddayana.

human realm: One of the six realms of existence that has as its primary cause of rebirth the conflicting emotion passion (also called desire or attachment). It is only through the human realm that one can attain enlightenment. One of the three higher or fortunate realms of existence. See "six realms of existence or samsara."

hungry ghost or preta realm: One of the six realms of existence that has as its primary cause of rebirth the conflicting emotion craving or impoverishment (associated with pride). One of the three unfortunate realms of existence. See "six realms of existence or samsara."

impermanence: One of the three marks of existence, referring to the transitory nature of all composite phenomena.

Jambhala (Skt.): The god of wealth depicted holding a mongoose spewing jewels.

Jambudvipa (Skt.): In Buddhist cosmology, the southernmost of the four main continents. In some contexts, Jambudvipa refers to Southeast Asia and in others it refers to the world in which we live.

jealous god or asura realm: One of the six realms of existence that has as its primary cause of rebirth the conflicting emotion jealousy, also called envy or paranoia. One of the three higher realms of existence. See "six realms of existence or samsara."

Kadampa: The first of the New Translation Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Kadampa School is based on the teachings of Atisha that stressed compassion, study and discipline. The Gelug is known as the New Kadampa School.

Kagyu (Tib.): Literally, “lineage of the word” or “command."  One of the four great schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded by Marpa the Translator in the 11^th century, the Kagyu lineage stresses the importance of oral transmission. There are several branches of the Kagyu School; the Karma Kagyu is called the Black Hat sect and is headed by the Gyalwa Karmapa.

Kalachakra (Skt.): Literally, "the wheel of time." A complex cycle of tantric teachings uniting astrology, the subtle energy body and spiritual practice in one coherent system. Name of a tantra and of the twenty-four-armed deity and consort featured in it.

kalpa (Skt.): An eon, an inconceivably vast period of time. In Buddhist cosmology, a complete cycle of a universe consists of four stages: emptiness, formation, duration and destruction.

kapala (Skt.): "skull cup." A ritual bowl that symbolizes egolessness.

karma (Skt.): Literally, "action." Karma, the law of cause and effect refers to the way in which mental, verbal and physical actions create imprints in the mind-stream of sentient beings. Upon meeting future suitable conditions, these karmic seeds ripen into positive or negative results. Positive karma can be increased and negative karma decreased through meditation and the practice of virtue.

Karmapa (Tib.): Literally, “one who manifests buddha-activity." The title given to the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage who has taken rebirth since the 12^th century for the benefit of all sentient beings. Known as the "Black Hat" Lamas, the Karmapas were the first line of incarnate lamas recognized in Tibet and are considered manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. The first Karmapa was Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193) and the present day is the17th Karmapa Thrinley Thaye Dorje.

karuna (Skt.): Compassion, the unconditional wish that all sentient beings be freed from physical and mental suffering.

kaya(s) (Skt.): Literally, "body." The three bodies or forms in which a buddha manifests. See dharmakaya, sambhogakaya and nirmanakaya.

khenchen (Tib.): Honorific title for the highest khenpo.

khenpo (Tib.): Literally, “learned one" and sometimes translated as "abbot." The chief instructor or spiritual authority in a monastery. The title is also accorded to lamas of great learning.

khorlo (Tib.): Literally, "circle" or "wheel." Also known as chakra. In Buddhist yoga practice, this refers to the energy centers of the subtle body: head, throat, heart and navel.

Khorlo Demchog (Skt. Chakrasamvara): Literally, "binder of the chakras." Khorlo Demchog is a heruka visualized as dark blue in color, in union with his consort, Vajrayogini. An important tantric diety; a key yidam of Kagyu lineage.

klesha(s) (Skt. / Tib. nyon mong): Also referred to as conflicting, disturbing or negative emotions. Kleshas obscure the essentially pure nature of mind. The five kleshas are passion or attachment, aggression, ignorance, jealousy and pride.

kusha grass: A long broom-like grass considered sacred because the Buddha was seated on a cushion made of kusha grass when he attained enlightenment. It is also used as a ritual object in vajrayana practices.

lama (Tib. / Skt. guru): A title for experienced and learned religious teachers authorized to transmit Buddhist teachings to disciples. Often used for members of the monastic order in general, or practitioners who have accomplished a three-year retreat.

liberation (Skt. mukti / Tib. tharpa): Freedom from samsara's sufferings either on the level of an arhat or buddha.

lower realms: Refers to the three lower realms of existence – the hells, hungry ghosts and animal realms.

Lumbini: The birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha in present-day Nepal.

lung (Tib.): In the vajrayana tradition, an authorization or reading transmission.

madhyamika (Skt. / Tib. uma): "the middle way." A philosophical school founded by Nargajuna based on the prajnaparamita sutras and their doctrine of emptiness (shunyata). The madhyamika is concerned with the transcendence of both eternalism and nihilism.

maha ati (Skt. / Tib. dzog chen): "the great perfection." Perfection means that the nature of mind contains all the qualities of the three kayas – it is empty, it is clear and it is all-encompassing. Maha ati is an important tantric practice of the Nyingma lineage.

mahakala (Skt.): "great black one." Chief dharma protector of special importance to the Kagyu lineage. Mahakala is wrathful and visualized either as black or blue in color. 

mahamudra (Skt.): "the great symbol" or "the great seal." A term in vajrayana Buddhism for the realization of the true nature of mind. Mahamudra means both the ordered series of practices and meditations and the awakened state of enlightenment to which they lead. This is a central teaching of the Kagyu lineage.

mahasattva (Skt.): Literally, "great being." One who has attained the realization of wisdom and compassion.

mahasiddha (Skt.): A realized meditation master in the tantric tradition who typically manifests unconventional behavior also known as crazy wisdom. Also, refers to great Indian tantric masters of the 6^th through 10^th centuries, renowned for effecting changes in the phenomenal world through spiritual powers.

mahayana (Skt.): Literally, "great vehicle." Although mahayana practice is founded on the hinayana ideal to personally liberate oneself from suffering, the motivation in mahayana practice is to strive to reach enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. Mahayana is also referred to as the bodhisattvayana.  

Maitreya (Skt.): One of the eight great bodhisattvas of Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya is the future buddha to come, the fifth buddha that will appear in this kalpa.

maitri (Skt.): Loving-kindness to oneself; the prerequisite of compassion for others.

major and minor marks: The 32 major and 80 minor physical marks of a buddha.

mala (Skt.): Rosary or prayer beads used for counting mantras.

mandala (Skt. / Tib. kyilkhor): Literally, "center" and "circumference." 1) Representation of a universe with a deity's palace at the center that is often depicted iconographically in sand paintings and thangkas. 2) The mandala offering present in many rituals. 3) The basis for the third preliminary practice, a symbolic offering of the entire universe.

Manjushri (Skt.): One of the eight great bodhisattvas of Shakyamuni Buddha. Depicted with a sword and a book, Manjushri is the embodiment of all the knowledge and wisdom of the buddhas.

mantra(s) (Skt.): Literally, "mind-protection." Expressions of enlightened speech, mantras are recited in order to protect the mind of the practitioner from ordinary perceptions by identifying with the wisdom speech of the deity.

mara (Skt.): Any negative influences that obstruct spiritual practice and development.

Marpa Lotsawa (Tib.): (1012-1097). Considered the father of the Kagyu lineage, Marpa The Translator, was the supreme disciple of Naropa and the primary teacher of Milarepa. Marpa is renowned for bringing and translating many profound tantric teachings from India to Tibet – in particular the mahamudra texts and the six yogas of Naropa.

meditation: The practices of mindfulness and awareness that form the core of spiritual development. See shamatha and vipashyana.

merit (Skt. punya / Tib. sonam): The accumulation of positive tendencies in the mindstream derived from virtuous actions of the body, speech and mind.

Milarepa (Tib.): (1040-1123). Considered Tibet's greatest poet and one its most beloved yogis, Mila was the supreme disciple of Marpa and the primary teacher of Gampopa. The Kagyu master is renowned for having undergone immense hardships in order to attain enlightenment in one lifetime. Milarepa's biography and spiritual songs are some of the most loved works in Tibetan Buddhism.

mindstream: The succession of moments of consciousness proceeding endlessly from lifetime to lifetime.

Mt. Meru (Tib.): In Buddhist cosmology, the symbolic center of the universe, wider at the top than bottom, around which the four continents are situated.

mudra (Skt.): Literally, “symbol." A symbolic hand gesture used in tantric rituals.

nadi(s) (Skt.): In Buddhist yoga, channels in the subtle body in which the energy circulates.

naga (Skt.): Snakelike beings of the animal realm that may be benevolent or malicious are often considered guardians of the underworld, earth treasures and esoteric secrets.

Nagarjuna (Skt.): The 2nd century Indian philosopher who founded the madhyamika school of emptiness, which systematized the prajnaparamita teachings. Nargajuna's many texts are still of great importance today.

Naropa: (1016-1100). A forefather of the Kagyu lineage, this great Indian siddha was the disciple of Tilopa and the teacher of Marpa. He left his position as abbot of Nalanda, the great Buddhist university in search of his yogic teacher Tilopa. On the path to complete enlightenment, Naropa endured extreme hardships that are now known as the twelve trials of Naropa.

negative action: An action that produces unhappiness and suffering.

New Translation School(s) (Tib. Sarma): Contrasted to the Nyingma or Old School, the three reformation lineages Kagyu, Sakya and Gelugpa, or "New Schools" arose in Tibet between the 12^th and 14^th centuries.

ngondro (Tib.): Literally, “to go before” or "preliminary." Contemplations of the four reminders that turn the mind towards the dharma are called the outer preliminaries. In the Kagyu School, the profoundly transformative extraordinary preliminaries of refuge and prostrations, vajrasattva mantra, mandala and guru yoga are generally performed 100,000 times each.

nirmanakaya (Skt. / Tib. tulku): Literally, “body of emanation." One of the Trikaya, the three bodies of the buddha. Nirmanakaya is the physical, tangible aspect of the buddhas or other great beings that manifest out of compassion specifically to benefit all sentient beings.

nirvana (Skt.): The state of peace transcending the misery of samsara; the goal of a practitioner seeking one's own personal liberation. Nirvana is not a synonym for enlightenment in the mahayana system.

non-thought: A calm state in meditation in which there are no thoughts.

Nyingma (Tib.): Literally, “ancient ones." The oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism founded in the 8th century by Padmasambhava. See Padmasambhava.

obscurations: There are two primary obscurations: the first is the obscuration of conflicting emotions (belief in a "self") and the second is the misconception of the nature of reality (belief in "other," objects external to self).

offerings: A method of accumulating merit in the mahayana system as part of the perfection of generosity.

padma: Literally, "lotus." A mystical symbol for purity and a symbol of femininity.

Padmasambhava (Skt.): Literally, "lotus-born." Padmasambhava, an Indian mahasiddha, is regarded as the founder of Tibetan Buddhism in general and of the Nyingma lineage in particular. During the 8th century, King Trisong Detsen invited Padmasambhava to subjugate evil forces obstructing the propagation of Buddhism in Tibet. He spread the vajrayana teachings and hid countless spiritual treasures (terma) for the sake of generations to come. Padmasambhava is also referred to as Guru Rinpoche.

paramita(s) (Skt.): Literally, "gone beyond" or "to go to the other shore." Perfecting the six paramitas of generosity, discipline, patience, perseverance, meditation and wisdom, enables one to transcend samsara and nirvana in order to attain enlightenment.

parinirvana (Skt.): "beyond nirvana." The death of a buddha or highly realized being. In general, when a great being dies, it is considered an auspicious time as his blessings become more available to disciples' minds at his passing.

phowa (Tib.): One of the six yogas of Naropa, a practice whereby one's consciousness is ejected from the body.

positive action: A virtuous action that ultimately results in happiness.

prajna (Skt. / Tib. yeshe): Discriminating wisdom, that capacity of mind that perceives emptiness as well as discerns each and every cause and effect distinctly.

prajnaparamita (Skt.): The perfection of wisdom, a name for the body of mahayana sutras expounding the doctrine of emptiness. Among the most famous of these are the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra.

prana (Skt.): The subtle energy that circulates throughout the channels that is an object of meditation in yogic practices.

preliminary practices: Also called ngondro, which literally means, “to go before” or "preliminary." Contemplations of the four reminders that turn the mind towards the dharma are called the outer preliminaries. In the Kagyu tradition, the profoundly transformative extraordinary preliminaries of refuge and prostrations, vajrasattva mantra, mandala and guru yoga are generally performed 100,000 times each.

puja (Tib. / Skt. sadhana): Refers to a vajrayana ritual text as well as the actual meditation practice related to a particular deity.

refuge: Refers to both the initial step of commitment to the Buddhist path and clarifying one's ongoing practice in the lineage. The practice of taking refuge in the three jewels, the buddha, the dharma and the sangha.

relative truth: The apparent truth as perceived as real by the dualistic mind.

Rime (Tib.): "without bias." The non-sectarian reform movement in19th century Tibet made famous by the great spiritual masters Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Lama Mipham, Chogyur Lingpa and Patrul Rinpoche. It is characterized by a respect and appreciation for all the teachings and schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

rinpoche (Tib.): Literally, "precious one." An honorific title given to incarnate lamas and eminent spiritual teachers. It is used as both a term of address and as the last element of the name.

root lama or guru: A teacher from whom one has received the empowerments, instructions and precepts that form the core of one's practice.

rudra (Skt.): Historically, Rudra was a student who perverted the teachings and eventually killed his teacher. Rudrahood is the opposite of buddhahood.

sadhana (Skt./ Tib. puja): Refers to a vajrayana ritual text as well as the actual meditation practice related to a particular deity.

Sakya (Tib.): One of the four great schools of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Khon Konchok Gyalpo in the 11th century.

samadhi (Skt.): The state of meditative absorption whereby the mind rests unwaveringly. There are many different kinds of samadhi with different degrees of insight that can manifest. 

samaya (Skt. / Tib. damtsig): Literally, "promise." The sacred vow which binds the vajrayana practitioner to his or her teacher and yidam. The practitioner pledges and commits to keep certain vows and perform certain practices.

sambhogakaya (Skt.): "body of perfect enjoyment." One of the trikaya, the three bodies of a buddha perceptible only to highly realized bodhisattvas that manifests in order to benefit sentient beings. The visionary and communicative aspect of buddha-nature.

sampanakrama (Skt. / Tib. dzog rim): Also referred to as completion stage. One of the two stages of tantric practice based upon absolute or ultimate truth. In the Kagyu tradition, the six yogas of Naropa are completion stage practices. See development stage.

samsara (Skt.): Literally, "wheel" or "cycle." Hence, the endless cycle of existence throughout the six realms that is marked by birth, old age, sickness and death. The confused state of suffering caused by the karmic force of one's actions.

sangha (Skt.): Refers to the monastic community, the assembly of realized beings or simply the community of those who practice the Dharma.

seed syllable: In vajrayana practices, a single syllable is visualized as the source from which arise an entire world that includes specific meditation deities, their mandalas and mantras.

sentient being(s) (Skt. bhuta): All beings that have mind and are born into the six realms of existence or samsara.

seven branch prayer: A prayer in the mahayana system comprised of prostration, offering, confession, rejoicing, requesting the teachers to teach, requesting them not to pass into nirvana and dedication of merit.

seven point mandala: A mandala comprised of Mt. Meru, the four continents, the sun and the moon.

Shakyamuni Buddha (Skt.): The historical Buddha who appeared in our time around the 5th century B.C. The fourth of the 1000 buddhas to appear in this kalpa.

Shamarpa (Tib.): The "Red Hat Lamas" of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Shamarpa lineage is a line of incarnate lamas who have been reborn as students and teachers of the Gyalwa Karmapas since the 14th century. The present day 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche is the principal teacher of the17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje and is the founder of the BodhiPath Buddhist Centers.

shamatha (Skt. / Tib. shinay): "calm abiding." One of the two basic meditations in all traditions of Buddhism, the other being vipashyana or insight meditation. Through the practice of shamatha of using the breath or other objects as a support, one develops the ability to pacify and focus the mind.

shravaka (Skt.): One who seeks to attain personal liberation from samsara on the level of an arhat.

shunyata (Skt.): Also called emptiness. The absence of self or ego in the mind and in its external projections. Refers to the fact that all conceptual frameworks are empty of any reality, of a solid and unchanging essence. Also refers to the absolute and pure quality of mind. Emptiness is taught as the central theme of prajnaparamita texts and madhyamika philosophy.

siddha (Skt.): A practitioner who has attained spiritual realization and supernatural powers. See mahasiddha.

six realms of existence or samsara: All living beings belong to one of the projected realms of confused or dualistic mind. The cause of rebirth into a particular realm is due to the effect of one's actions based on a predominant conflicting emotion or klesha. The six realms and their predominant conflicting emotions are: hells/aggression; hungry ghosts/craving or impoverishment; animals/ignorance; humans/passion, desire or attachment; jealous gods/jealousy, envy or paranoia; and gods/pride or the ignorance of bliss.

six sense consciousnesses: Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and mental consciousness. According to Abhidharma, the mind is considered one of the sense organs.

skandha(s) (Skt. / Tib. phung po): Literally, “aggregate” or “heap." The collection or aggregates that form the notion of "self " are form, feeling, perception, formation and consciousness.

skillful means (Skt. upaya): The vajrayana notion of compassion, denoting the spontaneous activity arising from a realized being for the benefit of others.

spiritual friend (Skt. kalyanamitra): Refers to the teacher in the mahayana system.

stupa (Skt. / Tib. chorten): Sacred monuments containing precious relics of enlightened beings and/or religious texts. Stupas represent the presence of the buddha’s mind.

suffering: The confused state of being caused by the karmic force of one's actions. Also, one of the three marks of existence.

sutra(s) (Skt.): The concise teachings given by the Buddha Shakyamuni. Sutras are one of the tripitaka of the Buddhist canon.

tantra(s) (Skt. / Tib. gyu): Literally, "thread" or "continuity." Root scriptures of vajrayana Buddhism, this esoteric collection of texts are ascribed to the Buddha Shakyamuni in certain of his manifestations. Each usually describes the mandala and practice associated with a particular yidam. Tantra also is a synonym for vajrayana.

Tara (Skt. / Tib. Drolma): A female bodhisattva of compassion, born from a tear of Avalokiteshvara, Tara is especially associated with the ability to protect her devotees from suffering, fears and dangers.

Tathagata (Skt.): Literally, "he who gone beyond," or "he who as attained suchness", an epithet for a buddha.

tathagatagarbha (Skt.): "buddha-nature," the enlightened basic nature of all beings; the primordially awake essential nature of every being. Obscured by ignorance and kleshas, this nature can be actualized by the various practices of Buddhism.

ten directions: The four cardinal points, the four intermediate ones, the zenith and the nadir.

terma(s) (Tib.): "spiritual treasure(s)." From the Nyingma tradition, termas are teachings, texts and/or religious objects concealed in the past by great spiritual masters. Hidden in the earth, rocks, lakes, trees, space and mind, termas are to be miraculously revealed by "tertons," treasure finders, at a time in the future when it could be of the greatest benefit.

terton (Tib.): One who reveals hidden treasures or teachings, usually an incarnate lama.

thangka (Tib.): A scroll painting usually on cloth that allows it to be easily rolled up and transported. Thangkas play an important role in Tibetan Buddhist rituals by providing support during the process of visualization.

thought: In general, whatever arises in the dualistic mind.

three gates: Body, speech and mind – the gates through which one relates to the phenomenal world.

three jewels: The three objects of refuge – the buddha, the dharma and the sangha. The buddha represents an example of one who has attained enlightenment; the Dharma represents the teachings; and the Sangha refers to the assembly of realized beings and fellow practitioners on the path. 

three marks of existence: Suffering, impermanence and egolessness.

three poisons: The three main disturbing emotions or kleshas of passion, aggression and ignorance. Sometimes expanded into five by adding jealousy and pride.

three times: Past, present and future.

Tilopa (Skt.): (988-1069). One of the great mahasiddas of India and the supreme teacher of Naropa. Tilopa was self-realized in that he received the highest teaching of the nature of mind, not through a human teacher, but through the inspiration of his meditation. Tilopa is the originator of the Kagyu lineage.

tonglen (Tib.): "Literally, "sending and taking." The mahayana Buddhist practice of giving away all that is positive and good and taking in all that is negative and harmful. Used as a meditation technique to develop equanimity and compassion in the practitioner.

torma (Tib.): Ritual figures generally made of dough used as offerings or representations of deities in tantric practices.

tripitaka (Skt.): Literally, "three baskets." The three collections of the Buddha's teachings – the vinaya, sutra and abhidharma were originally written on palm leaves and stored in baskets.  

tulku (Tib. / Skt. nirmanakaya):  An honorific title bestowed on recognized incarnations of spiritual masters.

turn the wheel of Dharma: A phrase meaning to teach the Dharma.    

two accumulations: Accumulation of merit and wisdom.

two obscurations or veils: There are two classes of obscurations: the first is the obscuration of conflicting emotions (belief in a "self"); and the second is the misconception of the nature of reality (belief in "other," objects external to self).

two truths: Absolute and relative truths.

Uddiyana (Skt.): The birthplace of Padmasambhava thought to be located somewhere between Afghanistan and Kashmir.

upaya (Skt.): Also called skillful means. The vajrayana notion of compassion, denoting the spontaneous activity arising from a realized being for the benefit of others.

utpatikrama (Skt. / Tib. kye rim): Also referred to as development stage. One of the two stages of tantric practice based upon relative truth, usually referring to various practices of visualization. See completion stage.

vajra (Skt. / Tib. dorje): Generally symbolizing indestructibility or adamantine quality, the vajra or dorje is a ritual object used together with a bell or ghanta. The vajra represents skillful means or compassion and the bell symbolizes wisdom.

vajra brothers and sisters: Students who have received vajrayana teachings from the same guru.

vajra master (Skt. vajracharya / Tib. dorje loppon): Refers to the spiritual teacher in the vajrayana system.

vajra posture: Full lotus position: posture with legs crossed and the feet resting on the thighs.

vajra pride: The confidence that arises from the practice of a yidam.

vajra seat (Skt. vajrasana): The place in India (Bodh Gaya) where all buddhas of this kalpa are to attain enlightenment.

Vajradhara (Skt. / Tib. Dorje Chang): Literally, "vajra holder." The name of the dharmakaya buddha who is of particular importance to the Kagyu lineage. The ultimate source of tantric teachings, he is of dark blue color and crosses his arms while holding a bell and dorje, symbolizing the inseparability of wisdom and skillful means.

Vajrasattva (Skt. / Tib. Dorje Sempa): Literally, “vajra being." The buddha of purification. One of the four preliminary practices using the recitation of the 100-syllable mantra, Vajrasattva practice involves acknowledging and regretting all one's negative actions with the aim to purify the habitual tendencies from which they arise. Vajrasattva is visualized as white in color and represents the intrinsic capacity of the mind to recognize its own primordial purity.

vajrayana (Skt.): Literally, "adamantine" or "indestructible vehicle." The third of the three vehicles or yanas, vajrayana is an extension of the mahayana that emphasizes special skillful means for transforming negativity. Synonymous with tantra, vajrayana is also called the "sudden path," because through its practice enlightenment can be attained in one lifetime.   

Vajrayogini (Skt. / Tib. Dorje Phagmo): A semi-wrathful diety visualized as red in color, Vajrayogini represents the transformation of ignorance and passion (desire or attachment) into wisdom and compassion. An important tantric diety, a key yidam of the Kagyu tradition that is generally practiced after completion of ngondro or the preliminary practices.   

vehicles (Skt. yana): The teachings that provide the method for traveling the path to enlightenment. See hinayana, mahayana and vajrayana.

Vidyadhara (Skt.): "Knowledge holder" who possesses some miracle powers.

view: Real knowledge of the natural state of all phenomena.

vinaya (Skt.): The Buddhist scriptures concerned with monastic discipline and moral conduct; rules for the behavior of the monks and nuns. One of the tripitaka of the Buddhist canon.

vipashyana (Skt. / Tib. lhagthong): Meditation that develops insight into the nature of mind and is sometimes described as analytical meditation. It is one of the two types of meditation found in all Buddhist traditions, the other being tranquility meditation or shamatha.

wheel of dharma: Symbol of the buddha's teachings. The Buddha gave three major series of teachings during his lifetime, the hinayana, the mahayana and the vajrayana that are referred to as the first, second and third turnings of the wheel.

wisdom (Skt. jnana / Tib. yeshe): Refers to the fundamental nature of mind; not something developed or created, but ever-present and spontaneous.

wish fulfilling jewel: A mystical jewel found in the god or naga realms that fulfills all of one's wishes.

wrong view: A false belief or misunderstanding of the nature of reality that ignores karmic consequences and typically causes harm to others and oneself.

Yama (Skt.): Refers to "Lord of Death," or can mean the forces of death.

yana(s) (Skt.): "path" or "vehicle". The means for traveling the path to enlightenment. See hinayana, mahayana and vajrayana.

yeshe (Tib. / Skt. jnana): Refers to the fundamental nature of mind; not something developed or created, but ever-present and spontaneous.

yidam (Tib.): A meditation deity who is the embodiment of a particular aspect of enlightenment.

yoga (Skt.): Literally "union". In Buddhism, a method for becoming one with the natural state.

yogi (Skt.): A male practitioner.

yogini (Skt.): A female practitioner.