A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to appropriate section of the glossary. If the term you are looking for starts with a digit or symbol, choose the '#' link.

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Achala (Sanskrit, "Immovable") This Fierce Dharma Protector is the wrathful manifestation of the Great Sun Buddha (Mahavairocana).He remains firm and immovable in the face of temptation. He is usually depicted holding a sword in his right hand to smite the guilty, and a vajra rope in his left hand to bind the wicked.

Acharya (Sanskrit, lit. "teacher") is a Dharma Master.

Adi-Buddha (Sanskrit, "First Awakened One") is the primordial Buddha and the source of all phenomena. Although formless, the Adi-Buddha is represented by Vajradhara. The Five Dhyani Buddhas originated from theAdi-Buddha.

Akshobya (Sanskrit, "Immovable") One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. He is usually depicted with his right hand forming the Earth Witness Mudra (the hand is pointed towards the earth and is turned inward). He embodies the Mirror-Like Great Wisdom which takes sense impressions and the idea of individual forms and recognizes the inherent emptiness of them all.

Alaya consciousness (Sanskrit, "storehouse consciousness") The primordial awareness. The alaya consciousness is the storehouse of all previous impressions. These impressions are the seeds (bija) from which all phenomena arise when conditions and mental associations call them forth.

Amala consciousness The ninth level of consciousness, also known as the clear consciousness. This is the true mind, the Ultimate Truth. It is only surpassed by the tenth consciousness, "all encompassing, single pointed consciousness."

Amitabha (Sanskrit, lit. "Boundless Light") One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. The embodiment of compassion and wisdom, he is typically depicted as red in color, with his hands held together in the Meditation Mudra(the right hand rests on the left hand with the tips of the thumbs touching).Embodying the Wisdom of Discriminating Vision, he transmutes perception into inner vision.

Amoghasiddhi (Sanskrit, "One Who Accomplishes His Goal")One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. He is usually depicted with his right hand forming the Fearless Mudra (right palm raised and facing outward). He embodies the All-Accomplishing Wisdom which transforms the will into the egoless activityof the Buddha.

Arhat (Sanskrit, "Worthy One") Goal of Hinayana Buddhism.An arhat is one who has freed himself from the cycle of rebirth by extinguishing all passions and desires. According to Mahayana Buddhism, the arhat still has yet to achieve the ultimate goal. By emphasizing his own salvation, the arhat has yet to attain Buddhahood, as he has not fully awakened his compassion by working for the salvation of all beings.

Armor Protection A Tantric Buddhist Practice to protect one from negative energies and psychic attack.

Ashvaghosa A famous Buddhist philosopher and poet that lived in the first and second centuries A.D. An exponent and writer of the Mahayana system that was coming into prominence at the time, he is considered one of the most important Buddhist authors.

Attached Spirits These are spirits or ghosts who, due to some karmic bond , attach themselves to people. By disrupting that person's energy field, they can cause accidents, illnesses, etc. in the individual.

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Bliss Body See Trikaya

Bodhidharma (470-543 a.d.) After being confirmed as the twenty-eighth patriarch of Buddhism, Bodhidharma left India and travelled to China. There he became the First Patriarch of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism.

Bodhisattva (Sanskrit, lit. "Wisdom Being") One who has developed the altruistic motive of attaining Enlightenment to help all sentient beings. There are ten stages in the Bodhisattva process. Those who have reached the tenth stage and delay entering complete Enlightenment so they can help others are sometimes referred to as Mahasattvas.

Bodhicitta (Sanskrit, "awakened mind") The key to Mahayana Buddhism, it refers both to an enlightened mind and to the resolution arising from the profound compassion to attain an Enlightened mind for the purpose of assisting all beings.

Body Offering Practice Here one visualizes one's blood becoming rivers, one's bones becoming, rocks, etc. so one may offer one's body for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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Chakra (Sanskrit, lit. wheel) The seven chakras in the human body act as subtle energy centers. The root chakra lies in the area of the sacrum and is said to hold one's sleeping or dormant spiritual energy. Once awakened, this spiritual energy travels up through the other five chakras until it reaches the crown chakra at the top of the head.

Channels (or Nadis) Subtle energy paths through which the chi flows. The three main channels are the central channel (sushumna), the left (ida) and the right (pingala) channels which run parallel to and in front of the spinal column.

Chi (Chinese, "breath or energy") Subtle energy or vitalforce. In Taoism, chi is the cosmic energy that permeates all things. Within the human body, the chi is seen as the vital force of the body and is closely associated with the breath. During the act of breathing, in addition to oxygenating the blood with the outer breath (wai chi), one breathes in with the inner breath (nei chi) the surrounding cosmic energy to resupply the inner chi or life force of the body.

Ching, Chi, and Shen In Taoism, these are the three life energies that make up the human being. The ching refers to the reproductive energy, the chi refers to the vital energy of the body, and the shen is the spirit of theperson. Taoist practices seek to transform the ching to chi, and the chi into shen. [See also chi.]

Clear Light ("prabhasvara" in Sanskrit) This light illuminates the Universe at its deepest level. Perceiving the Clear Light is the most fundamental level of consciousness. Arriving at this level, one can view all phenomena as a manifestation of this level of consciousness.

Cundi Bodhisattva Sometimes referred to as the Mother of All Buddhas. One of the Principal Deities in the True Buddha School, she is depicted as pale yellow with eighteen arms and with a third eye on her forehead.

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Daka Male counterpart of the Dakini. Dakini (Sanskrit, lit.Sky-Dancer) These are accomplished female spirits that have attained the ClearLight and assist practitioners in removing physical hindrances and spiritual obstacles. As they are female beings that travel in space, they are linked with giving birth to the full range of expansive potentialities.

Dalai Lama (Tibetan, lit. "Ocean of Wisdom") The political and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, he is also considered an emanation of Avalokitesvara (Kuan Yin) Bodhisattva. The present Dalai Lama is the fourteenth incarnation.

Damaru Drum A two sided drum that represents the heartbeat of the Buddhas

Deliverance Ceremony This is a ceremony to assist spirits who are between attain a higher level of rebirth. One may perform the Deliverance(Bardo) Ceremony for one's ancestors, for attached spirits, and/or for local earth spirits.

Deva (Sanskrit, lit. "shining one") These are the gods or heavenly beings Because of their good merit, they are able to enjoy the pleasures of heaven. At some point, when their merits are used up, they are reborn into one of the lower realms.

Deva Kings These are the Four Celestial Kings who dwell on Mount Meru and guard the four gates at the four compass points of Indra's (Ruler ofthe Devas) paradise. They are considered guardians of Buddhism. The four deva kings are: Dhrtarastra, who guards the East and is King of the Gandharvas(celestial= musicians). He is white in color and holds a stringed instrument. Virudhuka, who guards the South and is King of the Khumbanda (giant demons). He is blue and holds a sword. Vaisravana, who guards the North and is King of theYakshas (wild demonic beings). He is yellow and holds a banner in his right hand and a mongoose in his left hand. Because he oversees the Treasures in the North he is sometimes called the Treasure Deva King. Virupaksa, who guards the West and is King of the Serpent Gods. He is red in color and holds a serpent and a jewel.

Dharma The cosmic law which governs the Universe. It may also refer to the teachings (of a Buddha) which are manifestations of this law.

Dharma Body See Trikaya.

Diamond Sutra An important teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha which he shows that all things are ultimately empty and devoid of any inherent reality, including the ideas of oneself, other sentient beings, and the Dharma. The name comes from the sutra being "hard and sharp like a diamond that will cut away all arbitrary conceptions and bring one to the other shore of Enlightenment."

Dream Mahamudra (milam in Tibetan) This is one of the Six Yogas ofNaropa , wherein one exerts conscious control of one's dreams.

Dzogchen (Tibetan, lit. "Great Perfection") This is the highest teaching of the Tibetan sect known as the Nyingmapa. Through this accomplishment, one recognizes the purity of mind that is always present and realizes the union of emptiness and wisdom. Dzogchen is not merely another practice or technique; it is the mind's original and fundamental state.

Dzogchen practice of insight.

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Earth Gods Spirits who rule over the energy of a particular location.

Easy Posture A posture for sitting on the ground in which one's legs are crossed near the ankles. It is an easy posture to attain but it is difficult to keep one's spine erect in this position.

Eight Principal Deities of the True Buddha School These are:Amitabha, Kuan Yin, Ksitigarbha, Maha Cundi Bodhisattva, Jambhala,Padmasambhava, Padmakumara, and Medicine Buddha. After one completes the Four Preliminary Practices and the Guru Yoga, the practitioner chooses one of these Deities as his/her Personal Deity.

Emanation Body See Trikaya.

Empowerment of the Three Lights The three lights are: the white light which enters the brow (purifying the body); the red light entering the throat (purifying the speech); and the blue light entering the heart (purifying the mind).

Empowerment A ritual wherein the guru transmits to a student the energy of a particular deity or practice so that the student's practice may quickly bear fruit.

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Fierce Deity Yoga By merging one's consciousness with the Fierce Deity, one receives protection against outside negative forces, and quickly cuts through the negative internal state of mind which prevents Enlightenment

Five Colored Thread Practice of Lakshmi (Mahakali) In this practice,one invokes Mahakali to obtain answers for one's problems via one's dreams.

Five Great Wisdoms of the Buddha The Five Great Wisdoms are

1. The Wisdom of Absolute Truth, embodied by Mahavairocana, transforms the limited egoconsciousness into cosmic consciousness.

2. The Mirror-like Wisdom, embodied byAkshobya, reveals the true nature of all forms by showing them as reflections ofthe Great Void.

3. The Wisdom of Equality, embodied by Ratnasambhava, transforms feelings into transcendent love and compassion for all beings.

4. TheDiscriminating Wisdom, embodied by Amitabha, transforms perception into spiritual discernment.

5. The All Accomplishing Wisdom, embodied byAmoghasiddhi, transforms the will into egoless action.

Formless Realm (Arupaloka) See Heavenly Realms

Four karma yogas Practices to accomplish the four yogic intentions. See four yogic intents.

Four Noble Truths These truths were taught by Shakyamuni Buddha at his first sermon after Enlightenment. They form the basis of Buddhism. These fourtruths are:

1. The truth of suffering. Suffering is inherent in life, including both physical and mental suffering such as death, sickness, old age, unpleasant situations, difficult people, not obtaining one's desires, etc.

2.The truth of the arising or origin of suffering. Suffering comes about through the desire for sensory pleasures, the thirst for existence, and the thirst for non-existence.

3. The truth of ending suffering. Suffering can be ended by extinguishing all desires (the state of Nirvana )

4. The truth of the way to end suffering. The Noble Eightfold Path shows the way to end suffering.

TheNoble Eightfold Path consists of: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

Four Preliminary Practices These practices remove coarse hindrances and build merit so that one may have greater success with Tantric Practices. These consist of: bowing (Great Homage); making offerings (Mandala Offering); reaffirming one's refuge in one's teacher, the Buddhas, the teachings; and the sages (Fourfold Refuge Mantra) and repentance practice (Vajrasattva Yoga).

Four Yogic Intents (1) Purification of sickness and negativity, (2) enrichment and generosity so one may have abundance, (3) magnetization to draw people together and harmonize human relationships, and (4) subjugation of negative forces and demons.

Fourth Immaterial Heaven The highest of all twenty-eight heavens. It is the last of the Realms without Form (Arupaloka), where one is beyond awareness and non-awareness.

Full Lotus Position The meditative sitting position in which the feet are crossed and are resting on opposite thighs. This position brings greater stability to the meditation and allows one to keep one's spine erect.

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Garbadhatu One of the two major mandalas in the Shingon School(Japanese Tantric Buddhism). The Garbadhatu or "Womb Mandala"represents the Material World, the static part of the cosmos. It contains all things, protecting and nourishing them.

Gelugpa The sect founded by Tsongkhapa, it is the last of the four Tibetan Buddhist Schools. It places an emphasis on ethical behavior and scholarship.

Golden Mother of the Primordial Pond The Chief goddess of the Immortals in the Taoist Western paradise. Associated with the peach of immortality, she bestows longevity to beings.

Great Compassion Dharani Water Water that has been empowered with thedharani (a long mantra) to Kuan Yin (known as the Great Compassion Dharani)

Great Golden Roc Garuda, a mythological bird with a human torso and arms. He is said to travel across the Universe with one flap of his wings. In Hinduism,Garuda is the vehicle of Vishnu. In Buddhism, he is the vehicle of AmoghasiddhaBuddha.

Guru Yoga A special meditation wherein one merges one'sconsciousness with the Guru or Teacher, thereby receiving the blessings of the teacher and of his lineage.

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Half-Lotus Position The meditative sitting position where the heel of one foot is placed against the perineum and the other foot is placed on the opposite thigh.

Hayagriva (Sanskrit ,lit. "Horse Neck") This Fierce Dharma Protector is depicted with a horse head coming out of the top of his head. He is the wrathful manifestation of Amitabha Buddha. He is also closely associated with Padmasambhava.

Heavenly Nectar Taoist term for the fluid of immortality (amrita). When the ching travels up the spine to the brain, a special fluid descends from the crown chakra, filling the whole body with bliss.

Heavenly Realms In Buddhism there are 28 divine realms which are divided into three categories. The lower six heavenly realms are part of the Realm of Desire (Kamaloka). These are inhabited heavenly beings that still desire food and sex. The Four Deva Kings, Indra, the peaceful and contented gods, Mara are included in the Kamaloka. The next eighteen heavens are in the Realm of Form(Rupadhatu). Beings in this realm no longer desire sex but still have a form. The last four realms are the Formless Realm (Arupaloka), where the beings exist as pure spirit without any form. Beings in any of these realms are still subject to rebirth.

Highest Tantra Yoga ("Anuttura Yoga" in Sanskrit) This is the highest teaching of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhist sect. The practitioner utilizes subtle levels of bodily energies and of consciousness,which are not accessible to the untrained practitioner to achieve complete Buddhahood

Hinayana (Sanskrit, "lesser vehicle") A term used by the later Mahayana School to describe the original, major school of Buddhism. Since the Hinayana School focused on liberation for oneself, the Mahayana School deemed it the "Lesser Vehicle," as it did not work for the liberation of all beings. Presently, the Hinayana School refers to itself as Theravada(School of the Elders) which is the only surviving sect of Hinayana and is based mainly in Southeast Asia. The Hinayana School emphasizes that the way to attainl iberation is through one's own meditation and through living a monastic lifestyle.

Hui K'o (487-593) the Second Patriarch of Zen Buddhism. When he went to visit the First Patriarch, Bodhidharma, for instruction, he was forced to wait in the snow for several days. Finally, to demonstrate his strong desire to become Bodhidharma's student, Hui K'o cut off his left arm and presented it to Bodhidharma.

Hundred Syllable Mantra Mantra of Vajrasattva to remove karmic hindrances Recitation of this mantra one hundred thousand times is one of the FourPreliminary Practices.

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(empty)

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Jambhala God of Wealth representing abundance. There are five Jambhalas:white, red, yellow, green, and black. The yellow Jambhala is a Principal Deity in the True Buddha School and is seen as an eighth level Bodhisattva. When the term Jambhala is used without specification of color it typically refers to theYellow Jambhala. The Jambhalas grant abundance to those practicing his Dharma, allowing the individual to practice the Buddhadharma and to help others.

Jataka (Pali, "birth stories") These are stories that tell about the past lives of Shakyamuni Buddha, his followers, and his enemies.

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Kagyu (Tibtan, "oral transmission lineage") One of the Four Great Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. This school emphasizes practice (with theMahamudra being its highest practice). The teachings came to Tibet around 1050 and were in the following century organized into the Kagyu Sect. It descended from Vajradhara Buddha through the Indian Masters Tilopa and Naropa, who passed it on to Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa.

Kalachakra (Sanskrit, lit. "wheel of time") This is one of the four Highest Tantra Yoga practices. This is considered the most complex practices of the Buddhist Tantra.

Kalpa Refers to the length of time between the beginning of each universe Akalpa can be subdivided into 20 smaller kalpas.

Kalu Rinpoche An eminent spiritual leader of the Tibetan Kagyu sect. He is an incarnation of the famous Tibetan scholar, Jamgon Kongtrul. For detailsof Kalu Rinpoche's comments on Grand Master Lu, please see the pamphlet, "TibetanTulkus and Living Buddha Lian-sheng," available from Purple LotusSociety.

Karmapa (Sanskrit, "Buddha-Activity Man") The spiritual head ofthe Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The first incarnation of the Karmapawas in 1110, making this the longest lived line of Tibetan Tulkus. Presently, he is in his seventeenth incarnation.

Klesa (Sanskrit, "disturbing emotion") These are conditions of the mind that impede clarity of mind and lead to unwholesome acts thus creating negative karma. These include conditions the five poisons (pride, desire,anger, delusion, and jealousy).

Ksitigarbha (Sanskrit,, lit. "womb of the earth") Ksitigarbha assists beings in the six realms and is an emanation of the Dhyani-Buddha Ratnasambhava. He is particularly well known and venerated for assisting beings in the realms of hell. Holding a jewel, the symbol of the Ratna family, a jewel, he is sometimes called the Jewel Bearer.

Kuan Yin (Chinese, "She Who Observes the Sounds of the World") The assistant of Amitabha Buddha, known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Kuan Yin is one of the most important Bodhisattvas in Buddhism and is a Principal Deity in the True Buddha School. Kuan Yin is usually depicted as female in China and Japan, and as male in other parts of Asia. Kuan Yin's Sanskrit name is Avalokitesvara and, in Tibet, is known as Chenrezi. Kuan Yin takes many forms to help others such as the Thousand-Eyed, Thousand-Armed form, the Four-Armedform, the White Gown form, etc.

Kundalini Fire (Sanskrit, "serpent power") Spiritual energy that usually remains dormant at the base of the spine. When awakened it moves upthe spine and acts like a fire, burning away obscurations.

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Lama A guru or spiritual teacher in Tibetan Buddhism. A lama is seen as the embodiment of the Buddha.

Lama Ngokpa A disciple of Marpa. Milarepa, while going through difficult ordeals from Marpa to remove negative karma, went to Lama Ngokpa without Marpa's permission. Because he did not have Marpa's permission, Milarepa was not able to receive any response from the teachings of Lama Ngokpa.

Light Drops ("bindu" in Sanskrit) Essential fluids that focus awareness in the subtle body. The movement of these essential fluids determine the level of one's consciousness.

Light Sound Heaven ("Abasvara" in Sanskrit) The heaven of utmost light and purity, the sixth heaven of the eighteen heavens in the middle realm( Realm of Form, or Rupaloka) where beings converse by light instead of words.

Lion Posture This is the posture that Shakyamuni Buddha assumed for sleeping. One lies on the right side of the body with the right hand under the head, the knees slightly bent, and the left hand on the thigh.

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Machig Labdr (1055-1145) Founder of the former Xiji Sect ofTibetan Buddhism. She is best known for disseminating the teachings of Chad, the practice of cutting away the ego by offering one's body to the demons

Mahakali Originally she, along with other demons, tried to disrupt Shakyamuni Buddha's Meditation. After being subjugated by him, she vowed toprotect the Dharma. She is depicted as black, biting a corpse, wearing a crownof five skulls, and riding a yellow horse that has a third eye on its rump.

Mahamudra (Sanskrit, lit. "Great Seal") The highest teaching inthe Tibetan sect known as Kagyu. The Mahamudra Sutra emphasizes dwelling in tranquility and insight, and progressing along the Five Paths (which starts with the beginning of Dharma practice and ends with complete Enlightenment)

The Ganges or Essence Mahamudra is an instantaneous method where every experience is transformed into emptiness, luminosity, and the unity of these two (unimpeded Enlightenment.)

Mahasthamaprata (Sanskrit lit. "He who is of great power") Alongwith Kuan Yin, Mahasthamaprata is the companion of Amitabha Buddha in both Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. Mahasthamaprata symbolizes the wisdom ofAmitabha.

Mahayana (Sanskrit, "greater vehicle") This is the latter of the two major schools of Buddhism. Mahayana emphasizes liberating all sentient beings from suffering and includes Pure Land, Zen, and Tantric Buddhsim.

Mahasattva A Bodhisattva who has reached the tenth level of Bodhisattvahood, yet delays entering Buddhahood in order to help all sentientbeings. Examples are Kuan Yin, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, etc.

Maha Twin Lotus Ponds This is the Pure Land of the Padmakumara (theBliss Body of Grand Master Lu). The Maha Twin Lotus Ponds are in the Western Paradise of the Amitabha. By practicing the True Buddhadharma, one may travel to the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds.

Mahavairocana One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Mahavairocana, the Great Sun Buddha, is typically depicted as white in color and holds either the Dharmacakra Mudra (the thumb and index finger of each hand form a circle and are brought together) or the Supreme Wisdom Mudra (the five fingers of the left hand wrap around the index finger of the right hand). Embodying Transcendent Wisdom, Mahavairocana transforms the ego-bound consciousness into universal consciousness.

Mahesvara Heaven The highest heaven in the middle heavenly realm or Realm of Form (Rupaloka).

Mahesvara (Sanskrit, "Great Lord of the Universe") This isanother name for Shiva, one of the three main deities of Hinduism. The Lord of the Yogis, he is typically pictured as blue in color with snakes decorating his body sitting in deep meditation with his trident in the background.

Mala A rosary usually with 108 beads.

Manas (Sanskrit, "mind") The observing mind, which is the seventhl evel of consciousness in the Yogachara system. The first five levels of consciousness are: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. The sixth level,mental consciousness (mano-vijnana), is the discriminating mind which knows,judges, conceives, etc. and differs from manas which is the intuitive mind.

Mandala (Sankrit, lit. "circle") A mandala is a representation or symbol for various energies or particular enlightened states of mind. A mandala may be in two dimensions, as in a painting, or in three dimensions, such as in the placement of sacred objects. The body or even the world at large may beinterpreted as a mandala, as they symbolize various aspects of universal energies. A mandala may also be the throne of a particular deity Manjusri,(Sanskrit, lit. "He who is noble and gentle") The Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom, he is typically depicted with the Prajnaparamita Sutra, the book of transcendent wisdom, and a sword which cuts through the clouds of ignorance.

Marpa (1012-97) Known as the "Great Translator", Marpa travelled from Tibet to India three times to bring back various Tantric Buddhist teachings, especially those of his main teacher, Naropa. As a farmer, he lived an ordinary householder's life, yet was a very accomplished yogi.

Master P'u Fang Master of the Zong Chi sect, a Tantric Buddhist sect in China.

Milarepa (1025-1135) The most beloved yogi saint of Tibet. After killing his relatives through black magic, Milarepa performed hard labor for his teacher, Marpa, to remove the negative karma of the black magic. After receiving instruction from Marpa, Milarepa diligently performed meditation in the icy caves of the Himalayas. His disciple, Gampopa, founded the Kagyu School.

Mr. Three-Peaks-Nine-States Grand Master Lu's first teacher. Manifesting out of the spiritual realm, he taught Grand Master Lu many spiritual practices, especially those of Taoism.

Mount Kunlun The abode of Golden Mother of the Primordial Pond and the Taoist Immortals, Mount Kunlun contains a palace made of jade, and is surrounded by a wall a thousand miles long which is made of gold. Here theGolden Mother grows the peach of immortality.

Mudra Outward physical expressions of inner states of consciousness. Placing the body in a particular physical position assists one in developing the related inner state. Mudras are typically associated with various hand gestures, but can include other parts of the body.

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Nagarjuna Considered the founder of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana) of Buddhism. According to Buddhist literature, Nagarjuna traveled to the undersea palace of the Dragon Kings (Nagas) where he read important documents left there by Shakyamuni Buddha.

Naropa (1016-1100) A scholar at the famous Nalanda University who left to follow the noted yogi, Tilopa. After undergoing severe hardships under Tilopa, Naropa received teachings and became a renowned yogi. Later some of these teachings became known as the Six Yogas of Naropa and formed a major part of the practices of the Tibetan Kagyu School.

Nirvana, (Sanskrit, lit. "cessation"), Cessation ofsuffering. One is freed from the cycle of rebirth and from the suffering this entails. It is a state where one realizes one's connection with the absolute.

Nyingma (Tibetan, lit. "School of the Ancients") This school, founded by Padmasambhava, is the oldest of the four Tibetan Buddhist Schools. It maintains a sophisticated system of study and practice, and its special training is Dzogchen.

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Padmakumara (Sanskrit, lit. "Lotus Youth") This is a great fortune-bestowing and hindrance removing Bodhisattva. Grand Master Lu is an emanation of this Bodhisattva. For more details about Padmakumara and his abode, the Great Double Lotus Ponds in the Western Paradise, see the True Buddha Sutra.

Padmasambhava (Sanskrit, lit. "Lotus Born") Commonly referred to as the "Second Buddha," Padmasambhava was supremely accomplished in the esoteric arts and used his powers to defeat many demons and black magic practitioners in Tibet in the eighth century. He is considered the principal founder of the Tibetan Buddhist sect known as Nyingma. Padmasambhava is one ofthe Principal Deities of the True Buddha School.

Personal Deity Yoga ("yidam" in Tibetan) In this meditation, one merges one's consciousness with a Personal Deity. The Personal Deity represents an enlightened state of consciousness and is chosen to correspond to the basic personality of the practitioner.

Psychic heat ("tumo" in Tibetan) Through special spiritual techniques of breath control, visualization, and focusing on the abdominal area, one can ignite the inner fire for attaining Enlightenment as well asr emaining warm in cold weather. This is one of the special techniques to attain Enlightenment of the Six Yogas of Naropa, Tibetan Kagyu sect.

Principal Deity See Personal Deity

Pure Land A realm of consciousness founded by a Buddha. By being reborn in a Pure Land, the aspirant can continue spiritiual development without fear of retrogression.

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(empty)

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Rainbow Villa This is the retreat center that Grand Master Lu built in theCascade Mountains in Western Washington State.

Rinpoche (Tibetan, lit. "Precious One") A title reserved for incarnate lamas and accomplished teachers.

Ratnasambhava (Sanskrit, "Jewel-born One") One of the Five Dhyani Buddhas He holds his right hand in the Wish-Bestowing Mudra (the right hand ispointed towards the earth, with the palm facing out). He embodies the Wisdom of Equality, by which feelings are transformed into love and compassion.

Realm of Form (Rupadhatu) See Heavenly Realms

Rebirth Mantra (Amitabha) The full name of this mantra for rebirth in Amitabha's Pure Land is "the Dharani for pulling out karmic obstructions and obtaining rebirth in the Pure Lands." By chanting this mantra 300,000 times, one removes all spiritual enemies.

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Sakya (Tibetan, lit. "School of the Gray Earth") One of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Stressing the study of philosophy, this school has contributed some of the most important philosophical commentaries. Founded bythe Khon family, the principal leaders of the Sakya Sect are still Khon family members.

Samantabhadra (Sanskrit, "Universal Kindness")

1. A majorBodhisattva in Buddhism. He is seen as the Dhyani Bodhisattva or the emanationof Dhani Buddha, Mahavairocana. He is typically depicted holding the wishfulfilling jewel in his left hand and holding his right hand in the teaching or argument mudra (the index and thumb touch while the other three fingers extendupward).

2. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Samantabhadra Buddha is the PrimordialBuddha.

Samsara (Sanskrit, "running around") Comprised of the six realms wherein dwell Devas(Gods), Asuras (Jealous Nature Spirits), Humans, Animals,Hungry Ghosts, and beings in Hell. These beings continue to revolve in the six realms until they attain Enlightenment and realize that the realms are merely states of consciousness, thus freeing them of the need to be reborn in one of these realms.

Samadhi (Sanskrit, lit. "make firm") The state of consciousness where the meditator becomes one with the object of meditation. As there is nos eparation between the meditator and the object of meditation, it is called a non-dualistic state.

Samaya To be bound by an oath, vow or promise.

Sangha (Sanskrit, "crowd") Buddhist community. This can have the narrow meaning of a community of monks, nuns, and novices or it can have the wider meaning of Buddhist lay persons as well as the monks, nuns, and novices.

Seed syllable ("bija" in Sanskrit) The sound vibration or energy from which phenomena are derived. By focusing on a particular seed syllable, the practitioner can experience that aspect of the reality inherent in that particular seed syllable. For example, from the seed syllable, lam, isderived the earth element.

Shakyamuni Buddha (Sanskrit, "Sage of the Shakya clan") Born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in northern India in 563 BC, Shakyamuni Buddha at the age of twenty-nine left his kingdom to seek Enlightenment. After six years he became Enlightened and became the founder of Buddhism.

Shen See Ching, Chi, and Shen

Siddhi (Sanskrit, "accomplishment or ability") This refers to the accomplishments that come with spiritual practice. It can be the transcendental siddhi of attaining complete Enlightenment (nirvana) and attaining the Pure Land, or it can be the more mundane abilities that come with spiritual practice (such as flying, clairvoyance, clairaudience, invisibility,etc.).

Six Perfections of the Bodhisattva Way (Six Paramitas) These are charity,discipline, patience, effort, meditation, wisdom.

Six Realms See Samsara

Sukhavati (Sanskrit, "Western Paradise") Sukhavati is the Buddha Pure Land founded by the Amitabha Buddha. A realm of consciousness rather than an actual locality, in this blissful realm beings may continue striving towards complete Enlightenment without the pain and suffering that occurs in the other realms of existence.

Sutrayana An exoteric school of Mahayana Buddhism based on the scriptures(sutras) of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Pure Land and Zen schools are part of Sutrayana.

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Tang Dynasty (618-907) This was a glorious period in Chinese history. Buddhism flourished in the beginning of this dynasty but waned due to persecution at the end of the dynasty.

Tantra That spiritual truth which seeks through various mystical means to unite the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.

Tantrayana The vehicle or teachings of Tantra.

Tangka Paintings on linen, surrounded by colorful brocade, which depict aspects of Buddhism i.e. Buddhas, mandalas, sacred syllables, etc.

Taoism The Chinese philosophy in which practitioners seek to realize and be one with the Tao, the primordial source for all things. The yin-yangsymbol [is a popular symbol in Taoism showing that within the everchanging nature of things, the Tao is always present.

Taoist Master Ching Chen A highly accomplished Taoist Master on Lien-T'ou Mountain, Taiwan. He taught Grand Master Lu many practices, including Taoist alchemy and how to write paper charms (fu).

Te Shan (781-867) A Buddhist scholar well-versed in the Diamond Sutra and who wrote the Qing Long Commentary on the Diamond Sutra. After an old woman selling pastries embarrassed him regarding the nature of mind, Te Shen studied Zen and became a Master of great renown.

Ten Vows of Samantabhadra The vows are:

1. To worship and respect allBuddhas.

2. To praise the Tathagatas.

3. To engage in making offerings.

4. Torepent and remove all karmic faults.

5. To rejoice in merit and virtue.

6. Torequest the turning of the Dharma Wheel.

7. To request that all Buddhas abide inthe world.

8. To always learn from the Buddha the path to Enlightenment

. 9. To always live in accord with other beings.

10. To dedicate all merit and virtue to all beings.

Trailokya-vijaya-raja (Sanskrit, "Subduer of the three worlds") A wrathful deity with four fierce faces and eight arms. In Japanese Vajrayana, he is seen as a fierce manifestation of Vajrasattva.

Treasure Deva King See Deva King.

Treasure Vase Breathing A special breathing technique to fill the body with chi. Part of the practice involves visualizing oneself transforming in to a vase and holding one's breath.

Trekcho Dzogchen practice of profound stabilization.

Trikaya (Sanskrit, "Three bodies") Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, andDharmakaya are the three bodies (Trikaya) or manifestations of the Buddha. The Dharmakaya (Dharma Body) manifestation of the Buddha is the one that is timeless, formless and is one with the Universe. The Sambhogakaya (Bliss Body)is the form of the Buddha in the subtle realms, and which usually appears to humans in meditations, visions and dreams. The Nirmanakaya (Emanation Body) is he physical form of the Buddha when He reincarnates as a human being.

Triple Jewels The Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha(Buddhist community).

Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) The founder of the Gelugpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. He is known as the Reformer, as he set up strict rules for the Gelugpa Sect which contrasted with the much looser rules of the other three sects of Tibetan Buddhism at that time. A great scholar, Tsongkhapa is looked upon as a manifestation of Manjusri.

Tulku In Tibet, a reincarnated sage or saint who is confirmed after certain tests. Although these sages do not need to be reborn again, they do so out of compassion for sentient beings. Some tulkus have reincarnated many times.

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Ucchusma A fierce Dharma Protector who purifies the unclean. He is usually depicted with eight arms and four faces and wears a tiger skin around his waist.

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Vajra (Sanskrit, lit. "Diamond Scepter") 1. Vajra meansindestructible or unshakable and is thus equated with the diamond or thunderbolt.

2. This is a common religious implement in Tantric BuddhistPractice. It symbolizes the male aspect of Enlightenment (skillful means),whereas the bell represents the feminine aspect of Enlightenment (wisdom).

Vajradhara (Sanskrit, lit. "Thunderbolt-bearer") Symbolizes the Primordial Buddha. He is typically represented as sitting in the lotus position with his arms crossed on his breast and his hands holding the bell and vajra.

Vajradhatu One of the two major mandalas in the Shingon School(Japanese Tantric Buddhism). The Vajradhatu or "Diamond Mandala" represents the Spiritual World, the active part of the cosmos. The Vajradhatuc annot exist without the other mandala, the Garbadhatu.

Vajrasattva (Sanskrit, lit. "Diamond Being") Viewed as the chief or the union of the five Dhyani Buddhas, Vajrasattva's practice is the most important of the Four Preliminary Practices. This is because Vajrasattva eradicates negative hindrances accumulated since time immemorial. He is typically depicted holding a vajra in his right hand, next to his chest, and a bell in his left hand, next to his left thigh.

Vajrasattva Yoga This is a repentance yoga to remove karmic hindrances created by past negative actions and by breaking one's vows. Vajrasattva, who represents the purification, is invoked with his One Hundred Syllable Mantra.

Vajra Protector These are fierce deities who are Bodhisattvas or wrathful manifestations of the Buddhas who protect the Dharma.

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Wealth Deities of the Five Directions Earth Gods. As the level of these gods is closest to that of human, one may easily supplicate them to help in one's life.

Wooden Fish A wooden percussion instrument in the shape of a fish which is used in the chanting of mantras and sutras.

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(empty)

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Yama King Ruler over the Hell Realm.

Yamantaka (Sanskrit, Conqueor of Death") A fierce manifestation of Manjus ri Bodhisattva, commonly depicted with either a bull's or buffalo's head for his central head.

Yogachara (Sanskrit, "application of yoga") A school of MahayanaBuddhism started in the fourth century by Asanga. This emphasized that everything experienced is of the mind. The school had four stages to perfection:

1. Stage of teaching

2. Stage of realizing the teachings and entering the first stage of Bodhisattvahood.

3. Stage of meditation, of moving through the ten stages of Bodhisattvahood.

4. Stage of accomplishment.

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Zen The Mahayana Buddhist School that originated in China (called "Ch'an" in Chinese) that later took root in Japan. Zen emphasizes the practice of sitting in meditative absorption (zazen) as the shortest path to Enlightenment.It de-emphasizes rituals and intellectual studies.

Zha Hum Ban Huo These are four syllables chanted during the brief Repentence Yoga.

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