Property:Gloss-term
From Buddha-Nature
This is a property of type Text.
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utpattikrama and utpanna- or sampannakrama;These two terms refer cosmologically to the manifestation (utpāda) and reabsorption (pralaya) of phenomenal existence, and thus to the special technique of meditation which imitates this twofold process, thus identifying microscosm and macrocosm. By thought-creation (bhāvanā, q.v.) the yogin produces an idealized form of existence, symbolized by the divinities of the maṇḍala. This is the utpattikrama, 'Process of Emanation'. He conceives of 1 It might also be called a mahāyoga-tantra;see Roerich, Blue Annals, p. 753. himself as the centre of the process, and drawing the forms into his own heart, realizes his essential identity with the central all-comprehending divinity. This is the utpannakrama, 'Process of Realization,. For refe- rences see the Index.<br> +
Padma;Pema;pema;the lotus. Every Buddha is iconographically depicted sitting upon a sun and moon resting upon the lotus, representative of the Dharmadhatu or Free Space. Prajnaparamita, the body of scriptures prepared by the Madhyamika school of meditation and metaphysics. It is the Goddess who is identical with every woman and Emptiness. It is the Perfection of Penetrating Insight. +
Vajra;Dorje;dorje;the ritual instrument shaped like a thunderbolt which represents the masculine principle and the awareness which cannot be thrown off balance no matter what physical or mental apparition arises to disturb it. The Vajra is indestructible and immutable. Often these ritual instruments fall from the skies and are found already shaped lying upon the ground at propitious times. +
Dakini;the Emptiness which takes Form in order to instruct and bring the highest bliss to the Guru. She rarely takes human form but is in constant attendance upon the yogin. +
Guru;at once the all-pervasive realm of the unborn and the incarnate form who is inseparable from that realm. In the Tantras this double meaning is implied. The Guru only manifests in human form if disciples, ignorant of the source of all knowledge and compassion, exist to reify him. +
Abhidharma;the philosophical cum psychological material which the Buddha Sakyamuni left with his devotees and which became part of the Buddhist Canon. It is presented in a rigid and highly categorized system which is coherent and virtually all inclusive. However, the Buddha Sakyamuni did not encourage this kind of speculative preoccupation while the mind remained contaminated by unresolved passionate problems. +
Siddha;a yogin who has mastered the power of the Mind and either uses it to further his own selfish ends or utilizes it for the benefit of mankind. The most powerful of all siddhas is the Buddha. +
Upasaka;a layman who has taken the eight vows of restraint from self-indulgent immorality. +
Vidhyadharas;accomplished yogins who manifest in the various forms of Guru Rimpoche. Having removed all trace of dualistic thought, all presuppositions and bias, all habitual reaction patterns and thought of self, they are the holders of spontaneous awareness and thus remain united with the Guru. +
Yana;a vehicle which the aspirant uses to travel along the path. The Hinayana, the lesser vehicle, is characterized as safe, sure and slow;the Mahayana, dedicated to service, is quicker and open to a wider range of personalities;and the Vajrayana, the fastest but most dangerous vehicle, is open to all. +
Tantra;both the written scripture which teaches the Tantrika the way and the Way itself with which the Tantrika then identifies. Tantra is the thread upon which every experience is strung, but itself remains invisible implicit Voidness. +
Dharmapala;the guardian at the gates of the Mandala. The unity of the Mandala is only attained through transcendent awareness. What remains are separate and unique forms. They are beings who have not seen the reality of their own nature and stand outside the walls of communication with the Guru. +
Stupa;a symbolic representation in stone of the unity of the relative and ultimate nature of reality. Its base is a dome which is topped by symbols of the Guru's awakening. +
Mantrayana;the Yana, or vehicle, using the science of vibration to illuminate the path. Vibration includes the entire range of feeling between the motionless centre and the tumultuous periphery, only a fraction of which can be perceived by the ear. +
Mandala;a linear projection of the vision of unity which includes every element of mind. It is also a means to induce that same unity by the meditation upon the significance of its parts and their relationships. +
Samsara;the round of birth and death that encloses the realms of the animals, the gods, the anti-gods, the tortured spirits, the denizens of hell and humankind. It is all conditioned existence. It is pain and suffering. +
Sangha;the community or fellowship of aspirants to the Here and Now united by their common knowledge of the transpersonal aspects of the human mind, and their common place of refuge-the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. +
Rimpoche;rimpoche;literally meaning Great Gem, usually translated as Precious One, this title is used to address the Lama in whom one has placed one's trust during the initial stages of practice. Also used to address monastic ofĺrciaries. Sadhana, a ritual text which provides the model during meditational practice for mature total involvement. Sadhana is the effort through practice necessary to achieve a constant illuminated state along the Path of Dharma. +
Mahamudra;signifies the nature of Buddhahood and points to the constantly adaptable vibration of the accomplished master of Tantra (which appears in whatever form necessary to instruct). The Mahamudra is the ultimate pose, including all others. +
Mount Meru;mount meru;ften identified with Kailasha in the Hindu world, this mount is the centre of the universe and is ringed by mountains and lakes which protect it from the great ocean in which float the four continents and the eight island continents. On top of the heavenly mount is a flat plain, the home of the gods. In the centre of the plain is the three-tiered temple of the Guru's Body. +
