Property:Gloss-def
From Buddha-Nature
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The central deity of the tantra of the same name. This tantra, which is also known as the "King of all Tantras," is one of the so-called "father tantras" (''pha rgyud'') of the highest (''bla na med rgyud'') class of tantras, wherein generation of the "illusory body" is given preference over the development of the "clear light" yogas. +
A major "protective deity" (''mgon po''), Mahākāla is black in color and wrathful in form. He is thought of as the wrathful aspect of compassion and appears in numerous iconographic forms. While he is mentioned in all of the accounts herein, he was especially important to Gyelwa Ensapa. +
The so-called "super-knowledges" or miraculous powers mentioned in the early Pali literature and carried over into the Mahayana. A bodhisattva is said to acquire these five (or six) powers, defined as: (1) supernal vision, (2) supernal hearing, (3) the ability to read others' thoughts, (4) the ability to see the arising and passing away of others, (5) the ability to work wonders (''ṛddhi'') of transformation and creation, and (6) the ability to see the destruction of all the negative "outflows" (''āsravas''). +
An important late fourth-century text attributed to Maitreya. +
Literally, "three bodies." This term refers to the Three Bodies of Buddhahood: the Dharmakāya (Tib. ''chos kyi sku'') or "Body of Truth," which is enlightenment itself; the Saṃbhogakāya (Tib. ''loṅs spyod rdzogs sku'') or "Enjoyment Body"; and the Nirmāṇakāya (Tib. ''sprul pa'i sku''), that body magically created in order to instruct beings, which is called the "Emanation Body." +
The quintessential teaching of Mahāyāna Buddhism. The theory of voidness. The characterization of the ultimate state of things as being devoid of an abiding "self" or essential nature. +
Literally, a "greatly learned one." Used as an honorific. +
In Buddhism, the "three most precious jewels," namely: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha. +
Literally, "path," here the term refers to the Buddhist path. +
The Buddhist vow and ritual of fasting and other forms of abstinence for a prescribed period of time. +
The bliss simultaneously accompanying insight of the highest order. In tantric contexts, the bliss that accompanies the insight into voidness. +
One who succeeds in attaining enlightenment in one lifetime using tantric means. The subjects of the namtar translated herein. +
he philosophical school of thought founded by the great sage Nagarjuna, which offers pristine analyses concerning the proper understanding of voidness (''śūnyatā'') and which is accorded great esteem by all the major orders of Tibetan Buddhism. +
Tantric initiation. Literally, "a sprinkling of water from above." The term originally referred to the coronation ceremony of an Indian monarch. Later, it came to name the ritual marking entrance into the esoteric doctrine of Buddhism. +
Literally, an "Awakened One." The title given ro one who has attained complete enlightenment. Used especially with reference to Siddhārtha Gautama, the sixth-century Indian founder of the Buddhist Doctrine. +
A "vinaya-holder" is a keeper of the monastic discipline. Here, the epithet is used in reference to Jampel Gyatso in particular. +
Literally, the term means the "Great Vehicle." Philosophically, the various schools of the Mahayana expand the earlier teachings on voidness (''śūnyatā'') so that the latter has reference to both the "selflessness of the so-called 'self'" (''atmannairātmya'') and the "selflessness of all dharmas" (''dharma-nairātmya''). From the practice side, the Mahāyāna schools stress compassionate activiry, aimed at the universal liberation from ''saṃsāra'' of all beings without exception. +
A bright scarlet powdery substance consisting of red lead, or vermilion. The powder is used, especially in tantric initiations involving the female ''yidam'' Vajrayoginī, to mark the "three doors" [of body, speech, and mind] of the disciple. +
Literally, the "Diamond (or, Indestructible) Vehicle." That form of Mahāyāna Buddhism which, while based firmly upon the vow to liberate all beings, offers the "speedy path" (''nye lam'') set forth in the ''tantras'' as a way of attaining complete Buddhahood in one's very lifetime. +
Impermanence. One of the quintessential doctrines of Buddhist theory. +
